Which rifling twist?

[IMshooter]

Guys,

I could use some more of your excellent advice.  I am considering replacing the barrel on my T/C Hawken and am unsure as to which rifling twist to get.  This will be a .50 barrel and 100% of my shooting is done with conicals.  I have no interest in shooting patched round balls or sabots.  No offense meant to those who prefer those projectiles!

Thanks.

[Snowshoe]

A 1 in 32" should be about right for conicals.

[forest2]

TY, then don't go for the slow twist. faster than 1/48 will help ya. it's your$'s.

[Idaho Ron]

I  was in your shoes, I don't care for PRB but that is my preference. I went with a Green Mountain 1-28 twist. You will be happy with that.  Ron

[IMshooter]

Thanks for those replies.  What rifling twist did T/C use in the Hawken barrels?  Was the rifling twist the same for both percussion and flintlock barrels?  Just curious!

[Snowshoe]

I think most T/C Hawkins have the 1 in 48" twist. My 1 in 48" twist Lyman Deerstalker is very accurate with some bullets, but it is picky about what bullets you use. I have given up on all bullets, not because of accuracy, but because I have found the round ball works so good.

[victorcharlie]

I think most T/C Hawkins have the 1 in 48" twist. My 1 in 48" twist Lyman Deerstalker is very accurate with some bullets, but it is picky about what bullets you use. I have given up on all bullets, not because of accuracy, but because I have found the round ball works so good.

The round ball is much cheaper to shoot too!

I'd look for a 1 in 28" to shoot conicals. 

[IMshooter]

I had heard that T/C used a "compromise" twist of 1/48, but could never find anything in writing.  I am still curious if they used the same 1/48 twist for the flintlocks.

The first deer I killed with the Hawken used a patched round ball.  She ran some distance with a lung hit and then needed a finishing shot.  Since then I have used conicals and have never had a deer stagger more than a few yards before expiring.  These were all one shot kills.  I have no idea how many deer I have killed these past 31 years, but it is considerable!

[Slamfire]

My White Mountain Carbine has a 38" twist and shoot the shorter conicals quite well, but don't get along with the longer ones too well. It'll still shoot prbs ok, ao I'd quess you'd be better served with a 32" twist or faster. 

[IMshooter]

Based on the excellent feedback you gents have provided, I have pretty well decided a 28" twist is what I need.  Thanks to all who responded.

It looks like Green Mountain sells such a barrel.  The only bummer I can see is that their barrels are blued, and I prefer browned.  No matter as I have the chemicals to do a browned finish.  Plus I really do not need the next barrel to come w/sights, ramrod, etc. as it would be no problem to use my existing hardware.  Oh well, that is what ebay is for!

[snicker]

Slamfire I always heard the WMC with the 38" twist wouldn't shoot a PRB worth a hoot.  I have one of those little rifles with the 38" twist and only thought about trying it.  What do you consider OK accuracy with the PRB and with how much powder?  Thought if it did shoot them pretty good it would make a nice little close range deer rifle out to about 75 yards.  If you don't mind let me know how well it does.  Thanks.

[Slamfire]

Sorry to be so late snicker, 'puter troubles. I've not had a PBR with a 50 grain charge land so far as 1" from point of aim at 50 yards, and half of 'em are within a half inch. They do start to wander around when the charge gets up to 75 grains. I'm shootin' Graf & Son's (Wano) FFg a .490 ball, .018" Walmart red pillow tickin', and Sno Seal for lube. Works for me, good luck to you!

[forest2]

careful guy's, a good marksmen can hand throw a roundball in a 1" group at 50 yards. I think they call it baseball.
 Rifle twist does matter. Projectile shape and lube does matter. Powder grade and charge does matter.

 All of these factors do matter when one chooses to shoot a particular rifle at a particular range, for a particular purpose. Paper is different than Deer, Deer are different than Elk, and then there is Bear,,,50, 75 or 100 yards is each different than 1000 meters, and all targets can be hit by a marksmen with true BP traditonal arms.

 The tacky grease of a Buffalo-ballet is different than a T/C maxi hunter,,a "spit-patch" is different than .10 ox-yoke wonder lube,sabots, bear grease, bees wax and snot, each affect the rifle differently. Pyrodex, T7, Goex, Swiss each affect in a different manner.

 A marksmen knows the accuracy, capability and limits of his gun to his own ability. The hunter is a marksmen first.

[Slamfire]

He might be able to tell within an inch where his roundball will go, but if'n he groups them there he won't be in Baseball very long. And the official range is 60' 6". 

[snicker]

Thanks Slamfire.  I sort of thought with that twist the powder charge would have to be reduced to get good accuracy and 50 gr is a little light for deer I suppose.  I need to get the gun out to the range and do some shooting with it with maxiballs and ballets to smooth out the rifling, seems quite sharp.  Guess I'll use the PRB for just plain shooting and plinking.