Small Game Loads For 1:28" Twist 50 Caliber Inline

[mardrobe]

I need some ideas for small game loads for a 50 caliber CVA Buckhorn with 1:28" twist.  I've pretty much already decided on a charge of a single 50 grain 777 pellet, but now I need bullet options.  I've heard roundballs don't work well in fast twists such as 1:28", otherwise that would've been my first choice.  I've found a 410 grain lead flat nose conical but that seems kind of heavy, and avoiding hollow points and ballistic tips, the only other thing I can think of lead or fmj pistol bullets loaded into a sabot.  Any information would be helpful.  Many thanks.

[30-06man]

Sounds like you have done what you could. I don't see why you wouldn't look into powerbelts or something similar.

[DavidKansas]

Hornady has a round ball+sabot for sale on Midway web site you might give them a try.

[jgalar]

Patched ball, low velocity, and fast twist were made made for each other.

[alsaqr]

I use the 240 grain .44 caliber XTP, a Harvester sabot  and 70 grains of Pyrodex.   My old CVA Staghorn has 1/32 twist and is very accurate with this load:   Made a lot of head shots on squirrels and rabbits with it.  Also zapped a couple of close range hogs.   The load should also work well in a 1/28 twist barrel. 

[mardrobe]

What do you think about 200 grain TC spire point sabots with 40 or 50 grains of 777?  Do you think they will expand at those low speeds and cause too much meat damage?  Would it make more sense to go with a heavier 300 grain solid conical with this same charge?  My main concern with the hollowpoints and ballistic tips is they might cause too much damage.  I am going to try the roundballs, but want to do some experimenting with different loads.

[Double 30]

HARD cast .457 round ball in a MMP short sabot over 50gr 3f T7. Very accurate in 3 different inline 50's I ve used.

[30-06man]

I do think it would expand but with that light of a load I would not expect much expansion or damage.

[Marc5000]

I tried patched round balls in my 1:28" twist 50 cal in-line, but never got good groups, not even with light powder charges.

My plinking load, also used occasionally to dispatch nuisance critters, is a hard cast SWC 240gr .430 bullet in a green Hornady sabot on top of 40 gr of Pyrodex RS. It's accurate in my rifle, mild recoil, and more than enough for small game.


Marc

[dmurphy317]

The secret to PRB in a fast twist barrel is the tightness of the load. I can get good accuracy using a .020 patch and .490 ball with up to 70 or so grains of 777 2F in one of my 1 in 28 rifles. For small game I would try a .495 ball and a .015 to .018 patch with the 50gr load and see what happens. It should have a velocity of 1200 to 1300 fps and may surprise you on the accuracy.