Round ball accuracy 54cal GM barrel 1/28 twist

[marshal]

has anyone ever tried roundballs in a fst twist, I know a 48 or 70 is better
but for occasional plinking what could I expect, thanks,   bob

[filmokentucky]

A group of us tried it maybe thirty or thirty-five years ago. As I recall, with light charges in a .45 caliber rifle, accuracy was barely acceptable. I don't recall the rate of twist now, but it was pretty fast, on the order of 1 in
20 perhaps. Once the charge got much over 40 grains accuracy was just a memory. We varied ball diameter and patch thickness to no avail. We decided that the ball was stripping from the rifling as velocity increased. As a control, this barrel was very accurate when firing a variety of elongated projectiles and using a number of powder charges. I've paid close heed to rate of twist from that time to the present. I only have one
minie launcher these days and all the round ball guns have a slow twist. The Mowery I bought today is a .54 caliber and it has a 1-in-66" twist-- just right in my opinion.

[lostid]

I tried a few years back with a "Sporterized Hawkin Carbine" from Cabelas, I couldn't get anything to group under 4" at 50yrds off bench! Widely scattered,,took the gun back and got in-store credit.
  Now I ain't tryin ta be rude,, but a prb out of a 1-28 at 15yrds will get ya one hole (but so will a good round rock!) at 20 they open to 3",, at 50??,,well the twist wasn't made fer round ball,period. It doesn't matter what the charge is,,it just don't work,,shot to shot, load after load,,,
 I use too think it did,,because every few shot's one would hit proper,,but every few shot one would miss the paper too. I had ta try it ta learn,,,
 luck to ya,,try it yerself

[Larry Gibson]

marshal

"]has anyone ever tried roundballs in a fst twist, I know a 48 or 70 is better
but for occasional plinking what could I expect, thanks,   bob[/quote]"

I have some experience with a T/C Black Mountain Magnum in .50 cal using RBs.  At 1750 fps (Oehler 35P) with a tight patch RBs would shoot into 2.5" at 50 yards.  However somewhere past that they really go south from the fast RPMs and would manage only 12-15" at 100 yards.  Backing the velocity off to 1550 fps produced 2' goups at 50 yards and 3-4" groups at 100 yards.  Sufficient accuracy for small game and plinking but having to use the really tight patch was a pain.  I do not consider that lower velocity level adequate for deer hunting though it would suffice in a pinch.  Groups were 5 shots and I tried FFFG BP, 777, Pyrodex RS & P, and Clearshot FFFG.

I have been working with the 250 and 320 gr REAL bullets and they show promise along with ease of loading.   I am looking for a good small to medium game/plinking load that is easy and quick to load.  My main hunting load is a 350 Maxi Ball (original T/C mould) cast 1-16 tin/lead alloy, lubed with beeswax/olive oil lube over a felt wad and 90 gr of FFG 777.  Velocity is 1525 fps and the first 5 shots without cleaning go into 2-2.5" at 100 yards.  It is very deadly on deer and elk.  Hope this info helps.

Larry Gibson

[filmokentucky]

As Lostid says, consistent accuracy is not attainable. But this thread does point out one more benefit of the muzzle loading firearm--the ease with which different loads can be experimented with compared  with cartridge firearms. And no brass tubes that require resizing after each shot and cost an arm and a leg to purchase. Makes me think them thar breech loaders is a passing fad.

[Jerry/PA]

....for occasional plinking what could I expect, thanks,   bob.....

Hi Bob,

For occasional plinking... in other words, don't change your mind and try it on anything living...  it just ain't ethical...

I have a 50 caliber T/C barrel with the typical shallow T/C rifling with a 1:22 twist.  It's made for conicals.  But, with a tight patch and 60 or 65 grains of Goex FFg, it will shoot 2 or 3" groups at 40 or 50 yards.  It really isn't enough for the local whitetail... barrel is only 21" also.  Plus, like the other fellows said, you can't trust it for consistency.

Bottom line, yes, you can make it shoot pop cans at 25 yards all day long to teach youngsters or some such.   No, it isn't practical for any other usage.

My advice,... learn to cast yourself some Lee REAL conicals and shoot them cause they're cheap.

Regards,

Jerry.

[teech]

Marshal, I have an original 45cal "hawken style" that has a 1in35 twist,it's a real tackdriver with 30gr 2ff.

[Mel Taylor]

This cannot be called traditonal by any stretch of imagination, but I have shot .451, and .454  round balls in a .50 caliber with 1:24 twist and got great hundred yard accuracy with Pyrodex by placing the ball in an ordinary sabot designed for a .452 jacketed bullet such as the Hornady XTP.

I no longer remember the Pyro load, but it was probably in the 80 to 100  grain range and it really seem to send that 140 and some-odd grain ball flying. I don't have a chrony so I have no idea of actual velocity. I also tried some much lighter loads with good results but, again, no longer remember the exact load.

If anyone else tries this, I would really like to know the what kind of accuracy you get, whether good or bad.

Mel
meltaylor@zianet.com