Author Topic: Twist rate of old .58 (Read 1222 times)

DanielWGriggs · « **on:** November 02, 2005, 06:24:28 PM »

Does anyone know the twist rate of the old .58 cal muzzle loader with the smooth breech plug. I think I remember 1-48. I have misplaced my paper that came with it back in 76 and I know I saw it less than 10 years ago. I will have to keep looking.

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2005, 12:55:20 PM »

1 turn in 66......im pretty sure........not 100 percent....... mine only shot hornady 570 round balls real good,,,,,575 were to hard to load.......the lee target bullet was the only bullet my old 58 would shoot with any kind of grouping,but it still wasnt close to what a rb could shoot.......jb

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2005, 05:33:29 AM »

JB Thanks for the reply. I just took the the ramrod and a tight patch and got just a hair over 1/2 a turn in a 26" barrel. My guess is it one in 56" same as the 45cal used to be. The reason I know this is my Lyman "Black Powder Handbook" states it on page 37 Later on it also tells you not to use over 100gr of BP 2F behind a 505gr Lubed Minie (page 86) If I am not mistaken you own/owned one of these..The gun not the book.

Busta · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2005, 07:25:36 AM »

Quote from: DanielWGriggs

I just took the the ramrod and a tight patch and got just a hair over 1/2 a turn in a 26" barrel. My guess is it one in 56" same as the 45cal used to be.

Daniel,

If you are getting just over 1/2 turn in 26" it would be a faster twist than 1-56". For example a 1-56" twist you would only be getting a half turn in a 28" barrel and you are getting more than a half turn in a 26" barrel. I bet it is a 1-48" twist by your experiment.

One way to find out for sure is mark your ram rod (piece of tape) where it meets the barrel (witness mark) when fully seated (with tight fitting patch) and also mark on the tape with a pen where it lines up with your sight. Now slowly pull the rod out allowing it to turn with the rifling, when you get exactly to that half turn measure from the tape (witness mark) to the end of the barrel and multiply that measurement by two. That will give you the exact (or very close to) twist rate.

For example you stated that you had over half a turn in the 26" barrel. Stop when you get exactly at the half turn and measure. Say it was 24", you would know then it is a 1-48" twist.

Now of course if you have a 1-66" twist and a barrel that is shorter than 33" you would have to go to a 1/4 turn and then multiply your measurement by 4, or 1/3 turn and multiply your measurement by 3.

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2005, 12:45:39 PM »

Thanks Busta I'll do that.

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:45:17 AM »

1-48 it is Thanks Busta, Now I know that theold jaeger barrel on that spanish flintlock is 1-66. I already knew that it was a great PRB shooter.

The .58 shoots Minie's fine but PRB's cloverleaf at 50yds and I have a mould for RB's so cost is less.

Busta · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:17:27 PM »

Cool! It's always nice to know for sure. :grin:

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2005, 06:28:15 AM »

yes i used to own both 58 and 45 58 was my choice,,,,,,,sold both :twisted: jb