AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: stan57 on July 15, 2025, 08:51:32 PM

Title: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: stan57 on July 15, 2025, 08:51:32 PM
Jim Kibler mentioned he has a "Buck's County" rifle in the works in his last podcast.

In general, given similar wood densities and similar calibers, how will a rifle built with "Bucks Co" confirmation and characteristics differ from the current production Kibler Colonial?  Lighter/heavier, slimmer/fatter, shorter/longer? Buttstock curvature & patchbox?
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: The Pathfinder on July 16, 2025, 01:56:20 AM
I'm kind of hoping for lighter, slimmer, about as long as the Colonial, but in the same calibers as the SMR. Down the road, I'd like to build a fancy 40 cal as I'm getting older and I'm starting to have problems hefting my heavier hunting rifles. Otherwise I'd like to see a 40 cal version of the Woodsrunner.
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: smart dog on July 16, 2025, 02:25:58 PM
Hi,
It should be very, very dainty.  After handling dozens of muskets and carbines at Fort Ticonderoga, being given the famous Schuler rifle in their collection is like being handed a toy gun.

dave
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: mountainman on July 16, 2025, 04:30:24 PM
Yep just like Dave said very dainty! I seen the original that Jim has, and it was stocked in walnut! It was beautiful lightweight and very well balanced, and also long and slender. I was even more amazed of the patch box cavity!!
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: Scota4570 on July 16, 2025, 09:37:59 PM
Has anyone modified a Kibler SMR in to a more "golden age" embellished rifle?  That would be very "dainty" in 45 cal. 
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: JTR on July 17, 2025, 12:10:55 AM
Dainty? I guess I hadn't thought about it, but it could be called dainty in some respects. However the original George Weiker Bucks County rifle I own, and other Bucks county rifles I've handled, aren't small. Mine is pretty typical and weights almost 9 pounds, with a 45 1/2" long barrel. The barrel has breech of about 1 1/16", and tapers down pretty quick to .760", then flares to about .810. The wood on the butt and wrist is pretty stout, but the wood along the barrel is pretty minimal.
The Schuler rifle has a nose to the comb of the stock, whereas Weikers rifles seem to have no nose to speak of, and the stock architecture is such that you shoot the gun off your bicep, and not the shoulder. Most have an interesting type of incised carving as well. The be all/end all Bucks county rifle would have to be the one signed, A. Verner/Gunsmith. That's the rifle I'd copy if I was going to make one!
John   
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: JEH on July 17, 2025, 03:17:33 AM
Has anyone modified a Kibler SMR in to a more "golden age" embellished rifle?  That would be very "dainty" in 45 cal.
(https://i.ibb.co/Xx3w7db5/IMG-0612.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9HVMbfN4)

(https://i.ibb.co/k2DT9sn4/IMG-0614.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RT6KBkn3)


You mean something like this?
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: Tim Crosby on July 17, 2025, 11:41:16 PM
      WOW!

   Tim C.

Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: rich pierce on July 17, 2025, 11:51:38 PM
“Bucks County” covers a fair bit of ground just as “Lancaster rifle” covers a lot of ground. But most think of Verner or Schuler when they hear Bucks County, so anyone offering a Bucks County kit will probably be in that range. 
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: stan57 on July 19, 2025, 05:58:01 PM
Yep just like Dave said very dainty! I seen the original that Jim has, and it was stocked in walnut! It was beautiful lightweight and very well balanced, and also long and slender. I was even more amazed of the patch box cavity!!

That configuration appeals to me!
Title: Re: Kibler Colonial vs Buck's County
Post by: Crow Choker on July 19, 2025, 06:06:15 PM

WOW JEH, beautiful rifle, great work. You do that yourself?