Well, she's finished!

[GAHUNTER60]

My new Kibler Colonial .54 is headed to the range today for the first time -- warts and all (I know where they are, but I'm not going to point them out).

Only issue now is the ramrod sticks to the point of only being able to pull it out with a pair of vice grips. Been trying to heat it and bend it straight all morning with little success.

BTW, I did NOT order the rifle with upgraded wood. This is Jim's version of standard wood. I'm very pleased!

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

She is a beauty. Have a blast at the range!

 

[GAHUNTER60]

BTW, my wife wants to know why I got one "with those ugly zebra stripes". I guess it's a good thing I didn't order one with upgraded wood!

 

[Winchester97]

Looks great! My ramrod was dragging on the barrel tennons protruding into the ramrod channel. I had to pull the barrel and file them down a bit more. Might check that.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

Looks great! My ramrod was dragging on the barrel tennons protruding into the ramrod channel. I had to pull the barrel and file them down a bit more. Might check that.

Thanks, I'll try that when I get back from the range!

 

[Eric Krewson]

All ramrods arrive over sized, chuck it up in a drill and give it a few passes with 220 grit sandpaper until it goes in easily

 

[Eric Krewson]

I had the tenon dragging problem on my Kibler SMR, my el-cheapo bore scope pointed out the problem.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Taper the ramrod where it enters the stock. That should cure the problem.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

Nice job! Enjoy shooting it!

 

[olskool]

Eric is right. chuck the rod in a drill and run sandpaper around it till it fits,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[GAHUNTER60]

Problem solved. Just a few passes with 60 grit, 150, then 220 to smooth her up and she works like a charm! May be a little tight, but that's not necessarily a bad thing on a woods rifle.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

I'll post results and pictures of my range session -- good or bad -- later today.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Problem solved. Just a few passes with 60 grit, 150, then 220 to smooth her up and she works like a charm! May be a little tight, but that's not necessarily a bad thing on a woods rifle.

Weatherproof it so it dosnt swell up in there.
Oh and yes, I am drooling like a good'n here

 

[EC121]

Does that rifle have any finish on the stain? Looks a little dull to me, but maybe you want it that way.

 

[user 48679]

Nice enough to ride the river with - AND, I'm likin' that fiddleback figure in the wood grain.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

Does that rifle have any finish on the stain? Looks a little dull to me, but maybe you want it that way.

The finish is Minwax Antique Oil. It's a very low luster oil finish that a lot of builders of custom hunting rifles are starting to use for its lack of reflection properties. It's already got six coats on it. I will get a little shinier with each additional coat.

 

[EC121]

OK. Just thought I would ask.

 

[appalichian hunter]

I agree with Brit might want too take the ram rod down in size a tiny bit more and really water protect it, if hunting in damp or wet weather it could swell in the thimbles. Nice looking rifle.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

Won't be any range photos today. I totally forgot that the range I use is closed on Mondays. Got there and found it locked up tighter than a drum. Fortunately, it's only 20 minutes from the House. I'll leave all my stuff (minus the rifle) in the truck and get an early start there in the morning.

 

[M. De Land]

I had the tenon dragging problem on my Kibler SMR, my el-cheapo bore scope pointed out the problem.

View attachment 72722

I'd pull the pipe and dress down the lug a bit.