Ball and Patch for Kibler SMR

[Tim]

I have a new Kibler SMR in .45 caliber  and need some advice
On what patch and ball combo to start out with.
My Wife has asked me to tell her some stuff I want for Christmas
And what could possibly be a better gift than black powder supplies
And such. Thanks a bunch.

Tim

[stikshooter]

Mine likes pure lead  Lee 440 RB with .020 linen/and 24 denim either with bear oil (hard squeezing the bear) . This has begun to be my favorite build/squirrel killer and a pleasure to carry (not concealed ) Ed

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Good advice!  My standard for .45 Cal:  .440" pure lead ball ('cause that's the mold I own). .018" to .022" cotton denim/twill/drill/linen patch, dripping with spit for target work, animal oil for hunting, 55 - 65 gr. FFFg GOEX.  The variables take into consideration the rifle's preferences for accuracy.

[MuskratMike]

I have a Kibler SMR in .40 caliber built for my by Jim Kibler himself. I love this rifle and in .40 I use a .395 Hornady round ball, .015 pillow ticking pre-cut patches with my own lube made of lanolin, pure neetsfoot oil and about 10% beeswax. Please attach photo of your rifle. If it's a Kibler it is a fine rifle.

[hanshi]

My .45s get a .440" ball and .020" duck or .024" canvas patches.  I have a single cavity Lyman .445" mold and the .440" mold is a Lee double cavity.  I've tested both sizes and found little to no difference in accuracy, velocity and ease of seating prb.  So a .440" ball and .020 - .024" patches are what I usually shoot & hunt with.

[smallpatch]

First seven shots out of a .45"cal Kibler SMR.  .445" ball, .020" canvas patch, 50g Goex FFFg, moose milk lube.
Hope this helps.

[Tim]

All of this good information helps me out a bunch.
I still have to assemble and finish my rifle but I want to
Go ahead and get the supplies I will need.
Do you guys prime the pan with the same powder you
Load the rifle with? Thanks for the great advice.

Tim

[smallpatch]

I don't normally, but I have.  It works fine.

[Don Steele]

Tim,
You’ll find shooting 3f powder for both your main charge and prime to be a good place to start. Makes things simple when it comes to stocking powder.
A GREAT “ stocking stuffer “ for any flint shooter would be a couple dozen flints..!!!

[Tim]

Tim,
You’ll find shooting 3f powder for both your main charge and prime to be a good place to start. Makes things simple when it comes to stocking powder.
A GREAT “ stocking stuffer “ for any flint shooter would be a couple dozen flints..!!!

Yes Sir, I need some good flint for sure.

[Roughneck]

I used both .445 and .451 ball with .20 patch and 50grs of goex 3f.  it was a tack driver at 100 yards with the .451 ball, it was one of the most accurate rifles I had.

[rfd]

i'd start by asking meself, what do i wanna use this gun for?  this will come down to loose or tight loads, or maybe somewhere in between.  there is no way to guess what yer gun wants to be fed, for the tasks you'll ask it to do, unless you spend the time testing loads.  that means trialing a few different diameter balls, more than a few different patch thicknesses and material types, maybe some different lubes - and then there's the powder itself, from its brand and granulation to its load down the tube.  ain't dis stuff fun? 

quick 'n' easy .45 starter testing is 3f powder and an adjustable measure, a .440 ball, some patch material in .010, .015 and .018 thicknesses, spit for patch lube, and have at it.

[Scota4570]

I second 0.440, 0.020, 60gr.

I assembled a 45 SMR with fancy wood.  Somebody offered me a lot of money for it.  I regret selling it.  The long light rifle is more than the sum of it's parts. It reminded me of a long barrel Winchester M-42 shotgun.   

[smylee grouch]

I think rfd hit the nail on the head. I won't make much difference who made the gun you still need some load development, keep notes, save targets, shoot lots. Shooting is fun.   

[Daryl]

In my .45, I found a .445" ball to be slightly more accurate than a .440" ball. As well, I found my own cast balls to be more accurate than anything
Hornady or Speer made.  I would state here that .445" Hornady swaged balls are about the same accuracy as .440 cast balls. The difference is only
important if you are actually target shooting for group or score.