Inlines 1 in 28" Twist and Non-Sabot Bullets, etc.

[flmason]

Hi All,
   Been considering acquiring one of the entry level inlines as a food getter. I've noticed most of the commercial literature is pushing the saboted copper or copper jacketed bullets. But I come from the "cast your own" fraternity.

From what I can find, seems maybe the LEE R.E.A.L. conicals might shoot decently through those 1 in 28" twists?  Considering the compromise twist is 1 in 48 and patched ball is at 1 in 60 or more... not sure what to think.

Also, assuming the R.E.A.L. bullets will work OK, which weight for .50 cal is considered best for North American game, 250 or 320 grains? Why?

Anyway, seems like for a few hundred $$$'s one could have a very functional hunting arm.

Oh last question... seems like the low priced models are either some sort of straight bolt (e.g. Traditions Timber Ridge), Bolt (Traditions Thunder Bolt) or break action (Traditions Pursuit).  Any reason why I should choose one type over the other?

Seems like the break open is a well proven design by probably over a century of use in single barrel shotguns. However I'm attracted to the bolt actions, maybe because of the stocks on them really. The Timber Ridge type action seems prone to collecting water?

So that kind of wraps up the last question, what sort of waterproofing at the breach end is typical for these type firearms?

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

i'd look at the newer cva brands. The wolf can be had for around $150 brand new. Also look at the cheaper in price knights and even their older models.   If you want to shoot the reals, i'd just go with a percussion sidelock, they are just as reliable.

[flmason]

No Doubt. I just mentioned the Traditions above because I had the website up and could apply some names to the actions. The CVA Buckhorn looks interesting, for example. Knight's Rolling Block seems and interesting approach to, as do some of the falling breach types.

But for the price, I'd just go for a Hawken style of some sort. But of course, for the money, the Savage 10... that can use smokeless as well, has got to be the ultimate "burn anything" solution.

But, I'm shopping price (low end to be sure) and functionality. Hence the top question, about "can I use something besides saboted conicals accurately in an inline with the fast 1-28 twist?"

Seems that a bore size conical ought to do the job, but I've read lead bullets can strip rather than take the rifling at those twist rates?

[Busta]

flmason,

Why settle for an entry level Traditions, when you can get a "top of the line" bolt action Knight Disc Extreme for less than $178.99. Gunbroker has hundreds of them, take your pick. You won't find a better bolt rifle for the money! Get yourself some 460 gr No Excuses or Bullshop bullets, and you can take anything in North America with that set-up. I don't think you will like the R.E.A.L.S. if you ever shoot one of the above mentioned bullets, it just dont get no better for a all lead conical.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Browse.asp?Cat=3096&Timeframe=0&Sort=0&Items=50&Page=1&SearchLogic=0

[flmason]

So what's the story on those Disc Extremes? Have they fallen out of favor for some reason?

Certainly looks like a good idea. But what is the plastic disc about? Is it a part that has to be replaced often?

Ah well, the reason for REAL's was because I could actually find a mold for them as opposed to buying them.  I guess the point of the original post was to ask, "Can inlines be made a little bit more like traditionals in the loading department?" I.e. using cast bullets rather than sabots.

As an aside, isn't there one brand that's going with Green Mountain barrels at the minute? That might be a good decision maker, no?

[Busta]

So what's the story on those Disc Extremes? Have they fallen out of favor for some reason?

Knight went out of production in the last month. They are continuing to service and perform warranty work though.

Certainly looks like a good idea. But what is the plastic disc about? Is it a part that has to be replaced often?

The Red Full Plastic Jacket is a module that you insert a 209 primer into. Then you just drop it in the front of the bolt and rack it into place. Once fired or removing after a hunt, you just lift the bolt and pull back, tip the rifle to the right and it drops out into your hand. They also make a Non-Full Plastic Jacket conversion. This has a bolt adapter that holds a bare 209 primer and a breech plug that accepts the bare 209 primer. I like the conversion better than the plastic, but for hunting the plastic is mighty convenient.



http://www.knightrifles.com/catalog.aspx?catid=percussioncapsules

Ah well, the reason for REAL's was because I could actually find a mold for them as opposed to buying them.  I guess the point of the original post was to ask, "Can inlines be made a little bit more like traditionals in the loading department?" I.e. using cast bullets rather than sabots.

That is my point, you can also get molds to make these conicals as well. Mountain Molds can make one just like this bullet or you can design your own bullet with their "online bullet design" option (top left in link) at their site. There are several other good molds available, and I know the bullets shoot better than the REALS. Plus you don't havet to pound them down your bore, they can be sized to your bore.

http://www.mountainmolds.com/

As an aside, isn't there one brand that's going with Green Mountain barrels at the minute? That might be a good decision maker, no?

All the Knight rifles have Green Mountain barrels on them, and have for several years.

[sabotloader]

flmason

Double me up on what Busta has indicated to you... The DISC Extreme is a far better rifle than any of the cheaper production ML's out there.

There really is not much to go wrong on them either - they really are pretty simple to operate... and if you do not want to use the plastic jacket you can get a NFPG breech plug that you use a bare primer with.

If it is a problem... you can only use a 209 shotgun gun primers for ignition - no #11's or Musket caps....

[mirage1988]

Cabela's has the knight rolling block on clearance for $149.00, they look like a good buy.  I'm not real fond of the redundant safety on them, in my opinion the hammer is the safety, why do you need another safety on the hammer itself.

[Keith Lewis]

I sent this before but don't know what happened. It is important to know that any of the newer inline Thompson Center rifles are hit and miss relative to using solid conical bullets. Some think it has to do with the QLA being machined slightly off center. The main drawback to bolt rifles is that they are slightly longer than drop action or break action or sidelocks for the same barrel length. CVA Accura is another good choice that will handle the conicals and the Bergara barrel is in my opinion as good as the GM barrels. Whites are the best conical shooters but also now out of production. Knight rolling blocks will not shoot the new Blackhorn 209 powder but the Accura will.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

also keep in mind that the savage can not shoot conicals with smokeless powder.

The Accura is a great rifle, i own one and love it. I'll be sighting it in with a 247gr Thor conical ( All copper) to use this fall.

[flmason]

Hey Busta, thanks for the info on the molds. That's wild, being able to get custom bullet molds. 

[flmason]

Cabela's has the knight rolling block on clearance for $149.00, they look like a good buy.  I'm not real fond of the redundant safety on them, in my opinion the hammer is the safety, why do you need another safety on the hammer itself.

Yeah, I'm definitely attracted to those. Someone else mentioned that Knight was going under though. So I'm wondering about parts availability? If BP inlines are similar to other BP guns I've owned, the breakage rate is definitely higher than smokeless guns for the most part. I consider most BP guns to be somewhat fragile from this perspective. Would never run as many rounds through them just plinking and target shooting the way I used to do with say, smokeless handguns. (Used to run gobs of ammo through the 3 Blackhawks I had.)