Fowler Kit

[Catskinner]

I've been wanting to build a fowler for quite sometime now.  I'd like your opinions on who makes the best "kit" fowlers.  Also what's your opinion of the best all around gauge-caliber anyone has settled on. 

[elk killer]

Cabin Creek makes a great .20 kit

[smallpatch]

Chambers has several, authentic models.
As far as bore size, ….. depends on what you’re using it for.

[rich pierce]

If you want to shoot round ball and shot, a 20 gauge is a good choice.

[David Rase]

Chambers PA fowler, hands down your best choice.
David

[Mike Brooks]

I like chambers officers fuzzy

[Jim Kibler]

In no more than 6 months ours will be ready for sale.  We've completed a prototype and although I'm biased, I think it's pretty kick ass.  Might be something to consider...

[foresterdj]

Nice, been waiting for Jim to offer a fowler, I will be in line when the time comes.

[JasonR]

Hi. 20 gauge/.62 is the perfect combo for round ball and shot. 16/12/10 are well and good but they take the fun out of shooting when the recoil starts to hurt.

On the kit question...have you considered not going with a kit? My 1st build was a component set not a kit, but still, the design decisions were made for me, not by me...that's a potential problem IMO especially when the lock mortise needs tweaked higher or lower etc or pre-drilled holes don't align properly say for the tang bolt and trigger pate.  I think it was actually easier to build from a blank of my own design. Much longer of course time-wise.

[axelp]

I have a Jim Chambers PA fowler and it has been a great gun for me going on over a dozen years or so. It is my go-to hunting gun. I have limited out on pheasant multiple times, I have bagged tree squirrels and a wild turkey with it. I have shot 6 of 6 clays in a row out to 35-40 yards with it while competing with friends. And hit steel gongs out to 80+ yards with roundball. It has great lines and it fits me quite well. Its light and swings great inspite of its 46" barrel. A friend assembled it and although it is a "plain jane" gun with no carvings or engravings, I love it.

Ken Prather

[axelp]

I also like the looks of the Jim Chamber's Officer's gun. The all round barrel is very cool. If I was going to get another fowler, it would be that one.

Ken Prather

[smylee grouch]

If you want opinions, there will be lots to listen to. If it were me I would go with one of Chambers in a 16 bore. 

[TDM]

Clay Smith.

[Bigmon]

I am just finishing up a Clay Smith fowler kit I bought around 8 years back but never got to until last 6 months or so.  It is first rate.

[Hatchet-Jack]

Another vote for the Chambers PA Fowler.

[TDM]

In no more than 6 months ours will be ready for sale.  We've completed a prototype and although I'm biased, I think it's pretty kick ass.  Might be something to consider...

I’m just waiting to put my name on the list Jim.

[bnewberry]

In no more than 6 months ours will be ready for sale.  We've completed a prototype and although I'm biased, I think it's pretty kick ass.  Might be something to consider...

I’m just waiting to put my name on the list Jim.

Me too!

[satwel]

Another vote for Chamber's Officer's fusil. It's a first rate piece of kit.

[Bigmon]

I have done both the Chambers and Clay Smith, as well as from a plank.  They are all first rate.
And if you are in a hurry you won't go wrong with either.
But if yer slow like me, or have not done much building, and if Jim Kiblers are anything like his rifle kits, you will bill hard pressed to get one sooner or better than Jim's.
I would not be near finished when the Kiblers are available and his assembly time and finish would be so fast I'd have it finished sooner.
And I don't think he will offer them until they are ready.

[Hungry Horse]

  What you intend to shoot with your fowler makes a big difference in what gauge you choose. If you are going to hunt upland game, I would recommend 20 gauge or less. This would also be my choice if I intended to shoot round ball loads to any degree. If you are leaning towards doing a lot of waterfowling, I would go with a 12 gauge. Waterfowl just take a lot more shot to bring them down. That being said a 12 gauge shooting a round ball usually either falls way short of your target, or if you put enough extra powder in it to make it shoot the extra distance kicks the bejabber out of you.
 My preference is the smaller gauges. My sons little trade gun will consistently shoot killer patterns, and break clay pigeons at 30 yards, and its a cylinder bore .410 made from an old cartridge barrel cut in half and repurposed for a miniature tradegun.
 You really can’t find a much better gun kit than the fowler available from Jim Chambers in my opinion.


Hungry Horse

Hungry Horse

[Catskinner]

Thanks to all. This is exactly the information I need to make an informed decision

[Bob Gerard]

Just to toss another idea in the mix- a Fusil Fin or Fusil de Chasse is a lovely option.

[Timj]

In no more than 6 months ours will be ready for sale.  We've completed a prototype and although I'm biased, I think it's pretty kick ass.  Might be something to consider...

Mr Kibler, could we get at least a general description of what will be available in 6 months? Hoping for a light nimble smoothbore.
Thanks.

[Daryl]

Cabin Creek makes a great .20 kit

That's kinda small for a Fowler.

[Enfield]

If Jim releases his fowler in less than 6 Month two things have to happen.
1. I need to finish my Woodsrunner
2. I will start to feed my savings box