Kibler's smoke pole gold.

Painkillers

Painkillers

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I hmmm'd, I hawww'd- then I did it. Bent the credit card on a fancy maple Woodsrunner from Kibler (.50 as I already have molds and shoot it in a Hawken)

Who here owns a Kibler rifle, how was it to put together, and most importantly, how does it shoot!?

This will be my first flintlock. Any and all tips will be appreciated.

Pics are a must!
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You picked an excellent first choice for a rifle!

Some Flintlock specific tips considering that you already own and have experience with the mentioned Hawken Perc. :

You'll definitely want to secure yourself a half a dozen or more of the appropriate sized Flints. There might still be a flint shortage going on in the world rn.

A knapping hammer, pan brush and vent pick are must haves IMO

I wouldn't stress too much about securing ffffg powder (priming powder). I stock piled tons of it up when entering the hobby thinking it would be a must have. Only to later discover that most large quality locks dont require it to fire fast and reliably. Infact I even prefer to prime with those coarser propellant powders as it makes for less gear to pack and accidentally inter mix! Wish i used the money instead to buy more ffg and fffg powder.
 
Murray 3-D said:
You picked an excellent first choice for a rifle!

Some Flintlock specific tips considering that you already own and have experience with the mentioned Hawken Perc. :

You'll definitely want to secure yourself a half a dozen or more of the appropriate sized Flints. There might still be a flint shortage going on in the world rn.

A knapping hammer, pan brush and vent pick are must haves IMO

I wouldn't stress too much about securing ffffg powder (priming powder). I stock piled tons of it up when entering the hobby thinking it would be a must have. Only to later discover that most large quality locks dont require it to fire fast and reliably. Infact I even prefer to prime with those coarser propellant powders as it makes for less gear to pack and accidentally inter mix! Wish i used the money instead to buy more ffg and fffg powder.
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Thank you sir!

I'm to understand the gun comes with a flint, and I ordered 20 more. I will need to source a knapping hammer, brush and vent prick.

I'm also pleased to learn about the priming powder. I thought long on the topic and felt that in the 1760's, they wouldn't have intentionally made powder for pistols, pans, rifles, muskets, various sizes and types of cannon/ mortar...they made powder. Powder that worked in all firearms, so I opted to stick with my 2F and 3F stock.

After ordering the kit, I came to learn that our overlords don't trust us peons with nitric acid, so making my own aqua fortis is unfortunately unlikely (I was looking forward to some backyard chemistry when I learned that Jim won't ship AF to Canada). Regardless of the fact a furniture stain being prohibited in Canada is taxing my emotional intelligence, have you got a line on where I might find aqua fortis? I'm in Ontario.

I know that it isn't exactly accurate, but I plan on browning the barrel and leaving the brass bright to oxidize at it's leisure. My understanding is that the Woodsrunner isn't a clone or replica of any specific gun, rather a bit of an amalgam of several ideas that Jim Kibler fashioned together to make it, so I think a brown barrel is fine. I figured those in the know wouldn't scoff, taking into account it's a modern design, simply tipping its hat to the past?

The requisite pic. ;)
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A Kibler kit is probably as good as you can get. Best available.
I assume you have watched all his videos. Remarkable production technology.
He posts regularly at americanlongrifles.org.
If I were to bite the bullet, I would be inclined to go with the Fowler. I've always enjoyed smoothbores, shot them more than rifles.
 
Painkillers said:
Thank you sir!

I'm to understand the gun comes with a flint, and I ordered 20 more. I will need to source a knapping hammer, brush and vent prick.

I'm also pleased to learn about the priming powder. I thought long on the topic and felt that in the 1760's, they wouldn't have intentionally made powder for pistols, pans, rifles, muskets, various sizes and types of cannon/ mortar...they made powder. Powder that worked in all firearms, so I opted to stick with my 2F and 3F stock.

After ordering the kit, I came to learn that our overlords don't trust us peons with nitric acid, so making my own aqua fortis is unfortunately unlikely (I was looking forward to some backyard chemistry when I learned that Jim won't ship AF to Canada). Regardless of the fact a furniture stain being prohibited in Canada is taxing my emotional intelligence, have you got a line on where I might find aqua fortis? I'm in Ontario.

I know that it isn't exactly accurate, but I plan on browning the barrel and leaving the brass bright to oxidize at it's leisure. My understanding is that the Woodsrunner isn't a clone or replica of any specific gun, rather a bit of an amalgam of several ideas that Jim Kibler fashioned together to make it, so I think a brown barrel is fine. I figured those in the know wouldn't scoff, taking into account it's a modern design, simply tipping its hat to the past?

The requisite pic. ;)
View attachment 1174677
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Haven't used the stuff, didn't even know about it haha.

I haven't built a flintlock yet either, only improved and refurbished a Rifled NW Trade Gun i bought last year. Everything prior to that was bought new. Ive been planning to buy a "Early Full Stock Hawken" kit from Pecatonica /Track of the Wolf for many years, but keep blowing the budget on other guns haha.

As for Browning the barrel, im out of the loop as to why that wouldn't be historically accurate?
 
Murray 3-D said:
Haven't used the stuff, didn't even know about it haha.

I haven't built a flintlock yet either, only improved and refurbished a Rifled NW Trade Gun i bought last year. Everything prior to that was bought new. Ive been planning to buy a "Early Full Stock Hawken" kit from Pecatonica /Track of the Wolf for many years, but keep blowing the budget on other guns haha.

As for Browning the barrel, im out of the loop as to why that wouldn't be historically accurate?
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Aqua Fortis= 50/50 diluted nitric acid and water. Then iron is dissolved in the acid mixture until it no longer dissolves. The acid is essentially "used up" leaving an orange-ish iron heavy tincture. I suspect nitric acid is used to either make bombs or perhaps cook methamphetamine with, 'cause we can't buy it here. Or it's fairly heavily regulated. I'm confident that if I can find a supplier I can guilt them out of their stupidity and sell me a few ounces of the acid. But, I have no idea who sells the acid.


Apparently browning didn't become prevalent prior to the early 19th century? To a historian, it might come across like a Lee Enfield with a pic rail mounted IR laser on it? :censored:...but I'm still going to do it!
 
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tiriaq said:
A Kibler kit is probably as good as you can get. Best available.
I assume you have watched all his videos. Remarkable production technology.
He posts regularly at americanlongrifles.org.
If I were to bite the bullet, I would be inclined to go with the Fowler. I've always enjoyed smoothbores, shot them more than rifles.
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Much truth with the smooth bores...easier to load as well, and Kibler makes some beauties,

I decided life is short and it's only money. I'm still working and everything is paid off so...my sons would rather get the rifle passed down than a handful of cash, or worse, a credit card with room left on it. ;)
 
Hi,

I have built and shoot several linkers including the Woodsrunner. Easy to assemble and shoots really well. I used aquafortis but dark brown leather stain works well too. This is my Colonial I recently assembled.

RexIMG_4426.jpegIMG_4433.jpeg
 
You don't have to mess with nitric acid to make "aqua fortis" which is actualy ferric nitrate. Aqua fortis is the Latin phrase for strong water and is the old name for nitric acid. Get some readily available ferric nitrate crystals an dissolve them in water. You will end up with the same product without the challenge of acquiring nitric acid or the risks associated with using it.
 
Murray 3-D said:
You'll definitely want to secure yourself a half a dozen or more of the appropriate sized Flints. There might still be a flint shortage going on in the world rn.

A knapping hammer, pan brush and vent pick are must haves IMO
Click to expand...
100%. Flints only last so long.


Painkillers said:
I'm to understand the gun comes with a flint, and I ordered 20 more.
Click to expand...
The type of flint is important. Sawn flints don't work or last nearly as well as natural knapped flints.

You will also need to learn how to properly adjust the flint to properly strike the frizzen.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
100%. Flints only last so long.



The type of flint is important. Sawn flints don't work or last nearly as well as natural knapped flints.

You will also need to learn how to properly adjust the flint to properly strike the frizzen.
Click to expand...
I'm to understand they're only good for 10-15 rounds. Does that sound about right?
 
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