23 years ago, back when Benjamin Martin taught his kids to “aim small, miss small,” I dove into the flintlock rifle thing and built a Jim Chambers Isaac Haines rifle. It was a great experience, and I did a respectable C+ job. I hunted with it a bit, then hung it on the wall for a couple of decades. It looks like Chambers still produces top-notch kits; you can check them out at flintlocks.com
For some unknown reason, my attention recently turned back to the longrifle. One great thing I discovered had happened in those 23 years to the flintlock rifle is Kibler’s Longrifles. For the last 8 years, Jim Kibler has provided extremely well-designed, well-executed, top-quality, and historically accurate rifle kits. He uses the latest technologies to create incredibly precise parts that result in a superior finished rifle. He also provides a wealth of information in many tutorial videos covering every aspect of rifle construction and finish. I was pleased and a bit amazed that Kibler exists. It seems that quality and ingenuity are a rare find these days. His website is at kiblerslongrifles.com, and his videos are at youtube.com/@kiblerjim.
After the bird seasons ended, I ordered a .45 caliber Southern Mountain Rifle in walnut. Building this kit was a most enjoyable and gratifying project. I am going to build another! Maybe don’t mention that to Mrs. Birdhunter. I hope you enjoy these pictures of the finished rifle.
The Southern Mountain Rifle is graceful and svelt. A swamped barrel with a minimalist stock makes for a light and lively rifle (6 lbs, 2.3 oz). The 44″ barrel yields a 60″ rifle; the sighting radius is impressive, and it is well-balanced in hand. This rifle is very fun to shoot.
Flintlock ignition is fun and extra smokey! Kibler’s locks are fast, significantly adding to accuracy, and are of the highest quality. The whole rifle is like that; nothing is cheap. Everything fits and works well. The set trigger is excellent and adds to the rifle’s accuracy. The lock and the trigger are Kibler’s design and manufactured by him.
The octagonal .45 caliber barrel has proven to be plenty accurate.
A long tang comes well inlet by Jim’s CNC machine. There is minimal filing required to level the wood and metal surfaces.
There is little adornment on this rifle, so the beauty of the wood takes center stage.
Iron hardware gives the rifle a utilitarian look. This is not a fancy rifle, but elegant in form and handling.
This is not a project for the kitchen table. A bench, vise, chisels, files, and other tools are needed. Kibler has terrific tutorial videos on his website. They are extremely helpful in crafting a rifle you will be proud of.
Here are the first three shots from the rifle. 25 yards is not a long way out, but a bullseye is a great start.
The shot grouping held together at 50 yards. I think shots 2 & 3 reflect the shooter more than the gun. Amazingly, there has been no need to adjust either front or rear sights. Next, we will see how things look at 75 and 100 yards. I am well pleased with this rifle.
Henry likes the rifle but is not sure why we have anything other than bird guns! Maybe Kibler will offer a flintlock Fowler in the future.
Birdhunter 
I have a question which is what did you use to color your walnut stock? The color has a red tone to it which new walnut has a gray green color in my experience. The color of the stock is stunning.
Thank you! No color at all. Just oil.
I build traditional 18th century New England furniture of my own designs as well as restore period antique furniture. As I said, all the new walnut I have worked with which isn’t much has a grey green color which is unattractive. One can color new walnut to to a warm color but your stock with just oiled is fantastic! Very nice job indeed!