Thought I would share some recent success. I wrote this up for another forum and thought I would add it here. I went out to eastern MT with my father (86) to chase some antelope. I was using a .54 Kibler woodsrunner. Nessy, please forgive my rifling. K Snow, pease forgive my garb lol

The first day was bright and hot and the antelope were all stirred up from opening day. I had some opportunities, but they were on groups moving and not calm and bedded. The next day brought rain. I was worried about this, but antelope are forgiving in the fact that you know when the stalk is going to go down. With that said, I had a cows knee over the lock and carried the gun in my gun case (2 beaver and an otter sewn sock style, otter tail for cover).

Late afternoon after a 9 mile walk about I came to a spot Ive smokepoled a few before. I moved slowly clearing each part of this flat. I knew they were in there. I thought I did a thorough job, but just then a group lifted from their beds. 2 bucks 8 does. I immediately hit the dirt and laid down. I held that position for about ten minutes until they seemed to calm and go about their business. This trick had worked before. The problem was
i was in the middle of the flat. I saw a sage brush at 30 yds, squiggled my pack off and bellied crawled to my first position.

I held here for 30 minutes. The two bucks were in late rut and still a bit spunky. They were slowly making their way to me in the flat and I thought it was going to happen. That said I dont use a range finder and looking through a sage brush trying to guess the yardage was tough. I never got the green light. Then they started to move off.

The shivering was taking over a bit. I was soaked, laying on my belly, keeping my head under 18” for quite a while. Have you ever peed lying down shivering? I wanted to move and this position wasn’t going to pan out. I decided to crawl out. I had to put sage between the antelope and I and belly crawl for easily 150yds. The sage was sparse. I also had to leave my pack which had my other jacket I wanted, but kept with the move. It probably to 20 minutes and my arms were pumped! I kept my legs straight just moving my ankles and pushing my gun forward in front of me for every rep moving directly away. No lateral movement. It was exhausting. I finally made it to the edge.

The antelope were still at ease. I dont know how I made it out of there, but the drive was heavy. I started running under cover of topography to get to a closer position. That took about 20 minutes. I was creeping up to the knob I last marked them at. I took my rifle out of the otter sock and she was dry! Just like usual the antelope were in slightly different position and a doe caught me. I was moving so slow and careful, but they have a way. Maybe 60yds away. They didnt bust hard but moved left. The knob had rocks on top and that was just what I was looking for!

I have been practicing at the range with different bipod sticks Ive made and one thing Ive noticed is if I put the sticks close to the muzzle I am much more steady. I saw the perfect rock with a little notch in it. I put the rifle muzzle down right on it and watched the herd stall out at 90yds. I picked the bigger buck, settled the irons in, and that gun went bang.

The smoke hung. Forever. Then I saw the group moving right. Nobody looked hit. I was worried. Then a buck peeled off and I became encouraged. Then he stopped wobbled, and tipped. What excitement. Another beautiful animal with the Woodsrunner.

I ended up making a stalk on a doe and fawn two days later. They bedded and I snuck and crawled my way in. Fawn looked like a 1 1/2 yr old so I decide to take the young one. This shot felt far. I decided to level the irons right on its back. I lnew my trajectory for that approximate yardage. Ened up 153 yds. It never left its bed. I finished cutting up all the meat today. Fourth season with this gun and the 12 th notch. Feeling deadly with the flinter.

Now that is getting it done with CLASS!

Very Nice! Congratulations! I took one back in 2012 with a T.C. Renegade percussion rifle when I went to Wyoming with my dad who was 74 at the time. Love those end stuffers!

Well done!

Nice!

I want one of those Kibler rifles.

Excellent hunting, way to go. I've heard nothing but good things about all of Kibler's offerings.

Some day I'd like to get some raw antelope skins to brain tan. I've heard they make very nice leather.

Outstanding!

Something about a harvest with a flintah !!

Probably about 90 grains of FF got it done.

And not them in lines ...with a scope...and pellets...good ole School right there.

.54 cal is a thumper too...great caliber

Shooting that type of terrain...I'll give you a pass on the rifling..lol

Well done ...and great shooting at those distances with the irons !!

Very cool, congrats !!
Wonder how you managed that long barrel while out hunting??

Its not that bad. About an 8 lb gun. I just generally carry it in my hand and if its open like the prairie, if its in its case, I can throw it over both shoulders and rest it on my pack and I can go hands free.

Nessy, shooting 95gr 3F Goex. I just use one powder for pipe and pan and has been a good combo for me

K snow, I have a buck skinning friend who is quite talented and teaches on the subject. She also says its superb.

Good Job

Here's a quote from Osborne Russell about antelope skin shirts:
his personal dress is a flannel or cotton shirt (if he is fortunate enough to obtain one, if not Antelope skin answers the purpose of over and under shirt)

I'm guessing it would take several antelope to make a shirt.

Sweet Speedgoat!! They're beautiful and fine eating in my opinion too. My son took a big goat a few years ago with his smokepole, when he moves out I'll miss looking at that thing on the wall.
Congrats to all involved.

Put that Kibler kit together your self...or buy it done.

Either way is fine ...I just love shooting flinters ...not a gun smith.

I have not see one yet ...but on another forum...

Not one bad word about Jim's CNC work.

It's like Ai for gun building....lol

I've had just about every caliber BUT a 54.

Had 36..38...40..45..50..58..62

Those black English flints are the best in my book

Great hunt

Nicely done!

Excellent write up about a terrific hunt! Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading that.

Fantastic write up on a great hunt. Thanks for sharing

Definitely need a cow knee...how about a pic of that gun sleeve ...sounds real

Interesting.