Building a Kibler Colonial and want another kit, recomendations for a beginner.

[lentuk]

Ok I'm hooked, I'm getting close to finishing a Kibler Colonial rifle, my very first rifle kit build.
 I would like another kit but not interested in the Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle.
Been looking at the Jim Chambers kits, are the Chambers kits going to be the same or more difficult for a beginner?

[bob in the woods]

The Chambers kits are more work, but now that you've done the Kibler Colonial, certainly well within your capabilities.  Get their DVD re constructing their kits if you are uncertain of the process.
They are high quality kits and worth the effort.

[canadianml1]

I have built six guns and still find kits like JC or TOW to be challenging compared to  Jim Kiblers. Things like drilling and tapping on a drill press(or vertical mill) and between centers must be done with some skill, care and proper technique. I recommend getting and reading "Recreating the American Long Rifle"  by Buchele Shumway and Alexander before attempting to go to other "parts list kits" like TOW etc.
 TOW and JC are not like Jim Kibler kits at all. Be prepared to get more tools and spend 75 to 100 manhours finishing one. The results though can be VERY satisfying!!

JMHO

[Berksrifle]

 lentuk,

 You could look into a kit from Cabin Creek Muzzleloading in PA. It is harder than a Kibler kit, but not a difficult as a Chambers kit.
 I put together Cabin Creek's PA Mountain Rifle kit 4 years ago. Then I had a Dunlap woodcraft Haines kit Followed by a Chambers York kit. Those two kits were more involved.

Ken

[Panzerschwein]

Wait for Jis smoothbore kit.

[lentuk]

Jim Kibler has a smoothbore coming out?

[Bob McBride]

Jim Kibler has a smoothbore coming out?

First part of next year last I heard.

[Scota4570]

Jims SMR is an amazing rifle, check one out before you discount it.  Particularly, in 45 caliber it has amazing balance and grace.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Mine's a .40 cal and I love shooting it.  Happy purchase.

[lentuk]

Jims SMR is an amazing rifle, check one out before you discount it.  Particularly, in 45 caliber it has amazing balance and grace.

I am not discounting it, its an impressive rifle. I hunt out west and a .45 round ball is a little light for Elk.
This Colonial is a .54, I have had great success with other rifles in .54

[Daryl]

I personally was thinking on the order of a Colonial kit myself, but of course in .58 as he doesn't offer it in larger calibres.
I already have a .574" mould & 10 ounce denim.

[Stoner creek]

I personally was thinking on the order of a Colonial kit myself, but of course in .58 as he doesn't offer it in larger calibres.
I already have a .574" mould & 10 ounce denim.

In my humble opinion, that 58 is Jim’s best profile in the Colonial kit. The smaller caliber barrels are just a tad heavy.

[pjmcdonald]

Lentuk,

Might I suggest you research and settle on a style you like, find a mentor and take a class, building from a blank. You’ll get the rifle you want, in the style you want, and learn more in a week from a master than you could in months on your own. Who cares if it takes a couple classes to finish? The experience is more than worth it.

Jim Parker is my mentor, whether he wanted an apprentice or not. I’ve at least managed to avoid major damage or injury. Big things I’ve learned are what tools are essential, which are nice to have and make life easier, and just as importantly what not to buy. Architecture, correcting mistakes (for they are legion), and layout are also important skills.

Regards,

Paul

[wayoutwest]

Jims SMR is an amazing rifle, check one out before you discount it.  Particularly, in 45 caliber it has amazing balance and grace.

I am not discounting it, its an impressive rifle. I hunt out west and a .45 round ball is a little light for Elk.
This Colonial is a .54, I have had great success with other rifles in .54

do you hunt small game? the SMR makes a pretty good small game rifle, from what I've been told. I plan to use it for. hare, beaver and squirrel.

[canadianml1]

My 40 cal Kibler smr is my go to hunting gun for coyotes. It is a gorgeous rifle with beautiful lines and balance!

[rfd]

I'm also waiting on Jim's fowler kit, should be a beauty.

[flehto]

My first LR was from a parts set and the 2nd was from a blank and what enabled me to handle the blank build was the Chambers ' parts set.

As a first step, a Kibler kit would be appropriate but a parts set like a Chambers or some others would "teach" much more....choosing between the two  depends on whether  one just wants a quality  LR {Kibler} or if one wants to learn how to build LRs { Chambers }.I imagine that after assembling a few Kibler kits, a parts set {Chambers} or  scratch build would pose problems never encountered w/ the Kiblers.......Fred