Sighting my .45 Kibler SMR

[Daveboone]

I went to the new club I just joined, being new to the area to get the first few sighting in shots done with my newly finished .45 Kibler smr. The range was full of idiots, I left in disgust and went to some state land nearby, knowing no one would be around with the snow still melting off the roads.
A bit more informal than I like, but I was able to get a decent padded rest off my truck hood, and my first few shots at 25 yards were on the edge . I started with 45 grains of FFF, .445 ball with a .015 patch. It seemed a bit loose, but after a nudge to the rear sight to the left, ( I also increased the powder to 50 grains), I had three shots touching dead on. (I had only shot two at the time of the pic, but fired another which was right on with the other two. I was very pleased. The SMR has an amazing fast lock, and the recoil of a .22 rimfire.
I am eager to get out for a more lengthy and better situated shooting session...probably at my old club, but that is an hour and a 1/2 away.
I will next stretch it out to fifty, but man, that front sight is dinky.

 

[Iceman]

Nice shooting, taller sights are a worth while upgrade on the SMR.

 

[olskool]

crank it up to 70-75 gr. of 3f, also I bet it will shoot 2f good, as mine does. 25 yds really tell you nothing, you need to shoot at 50yds to get a good read on it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[wiscoaster]

I replaced the sights on mine with taller sights. (Which just reminded me I still have to order sights for the one I'm building now.) I've got 60 gr. logged as my "standard load" and also use a .445 ball. I think mine "likes" a nice tight load.

 

[Buff1958]

nice..... mine love 70 grains of fff

 

[Daveboone]

This was just my " get er dirty and on the paper " outing. Next time out I will go to my old club with a good bench and fewer idiots around for a proper sighting. Initially I will be happy with 50 yards, but will also get her ranged for 75 and 100 yards....I shoot in a black powder league and as fast as the lock is, I will like to see how I can do on the 75 yard "woodchuck" gong and100 yard "redcoat".

I replaced the sights on mine with taller sights. (Which just reminded me I still have to order sights for the one I'm building now.) I've got 60 gr. logged as my "standard load" and also use a .445 ball. I think mine "likes" a nice tight load.

Whos sights did you use?

 

[mike54]

Those rifles shoot well. Mine likes .445 ball, .018 to .024 patching and 65gr. 3f is its accuracy load and it shoots 1.25 inch groups at 50 yds with 80gr. 3f if you want to push it for hunting but 65gr will take any whitetail i have ever seen. i use olive oil and bees wax for hunting and spit or plain water for target shooting. All my load workups are done at 50yds, at 25 yds it will shoot the same hole all day long. The farthest shot i have taken a deer at is around 70yds and the deer went about 40yds.

 

[Daveboone]

All my previous bp shooting has been done with .50-.54 cal, and .58 with my Colonial. I was tickled pink with the super fast lock time and lack of recoil. I will work it up (like all mine) first for target/accuracy, ten decide where to go if I am going to hunt with it. I shoot too many different rifles...as fast as the lock is, I am hoping to narrow it down and also use it for my league...maybe.

 

[wiscoaster]

....

Whos sights did you use?

Sorry, can't remember right off the top. Why I haven't ordered yet. Let's see if I can find with forum search ....

Ya, this is what I ordered:

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/what-sight-for-kibler-smr.168744/#post-2434016

... and more subsequent posts in that same thread detailing results with those sights.

Good luck with yours!!

 

[FlaminCrow]

Sorry, can't remember right off the top. Why I haven't ordered yet. Let's see if I can find with forum search ....

Ya, this is what I ordered:

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/what-sight-for-kibler-smr.168744/#post-2434016

... and more subsequent posts in that same thread detailing results with those sights.

Good luck with yours!!

Thank you.
I’ve had a hard time finding the sights at the right width, with the base to match the Kibler’s dove tails.

 

[wiscoaster]

Oops, I went to TOW to reorder those sights and the front sight is no longer available.

Sigh. If it's not one thing, it's another.

Searching again .....

 

[FlaminCrow]

Oops, I went to TOW to reorder those sights and the front sight is no longer available.

Sigh. If it's not one thing, it's another.

Searching again .....

I did the same. Right now my rifle is at the house and I’m not. I’ll head home Fri need to measure that slot again.

 

[Texcl2]

taller courser SMR sights for us old codgers would be nice, lol

 

[Daveboone]

I am surprised Kibler doesnt offer taller sights, considering it seems like a very logical addition to their stable, for many of us. I will put in more range time before I worry too much about them. I think widening the rear base V will help quite a bit....myself, I like a skinnier front sight to help sight small.

 

[wiscoaster]

I am surprised Kibler doesnt offer taller sights,....

It may be a matter of being "historically correct"

 

[SPQR70AD]

it severely annoys me that all makers of rifles and pistols dont put high front sites on to allow the person to file it to their load and zero. I just dont understand it

 

[reddogge]

A front sight is an easy thing to make with a little brass, a silver quarter, a triangular file with a safe side, and some silver solder.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

It may be a matter of being "historically correct"

Have you considered getting the TOTW oversized front sight? https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/874/1/fs-fg-39-b

I've purchase a few of these and filed them to work for my long rifles.

 

[wiscoaster]

Have you considered getting the TOTW oversized front sight?

Thanks for the mention. Might work. Haven't motivated myself yet to get out the calipers and figure out what I need.

 

[BR Sorenson]

Thank you.
I’ve had a hard time finding the sights at the right width, with the base to match the Kibler’s dove tails.

I had to make my replacement front sights for 2 Kibler SMR'S. I wanted thicker blades. Now they're around .080 thick. That's what helps me.