Author Topic: What twist for 38 pistol? (Read 333 times)

Will52100 · « **on:** November 27, 2004, 07:23:58 PM »

I have a choice of 1 in 10", 1 in 14" and 1 in 20", what would be the best for a 158 grain cast flat point round nose bullet in one pistol with a 5 1/2" barrel, and the other with 8" barrel? The load will be Swiss brand black powder.

Thanks,

Will

Iowegan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2004, 04:18:31 AM »

The standard twist rate for a 38 Special is 1:18.75. Colt used 1:14. Never heard of a twist as fast as 1:10.

Will52100 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2004, 05:07:53 AM »

Thanks, 1-14 should work good then. The barrel is a blank from Midway, I'll have to do a bit of turning on the lathe to get it to work.

dawei · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2004, 09:20:53 AM »

Quote from: Will52100

I have a choice of 1 in 10", 1 in 14" and 1 in 20", what would be the best for a 158 grain cast flat point round nose bullet in one pistol with a 5 1/2" barrel, and the other with 8" barrel? The load will be Swiss brand black powder. Thanks, Will

Twist rates for 38's & 357's are usually 1 in 18¾". Taurus uses a faster twist: 1 in 16". Colt used 1 in 14" I believe.

For rifles (35-36 caliber) the industry standard is 1 in 16"

Will52100 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2004, 07:45:41 PM »

Thanks, I seem to remeber that practicly speeking it's very hard to "over stabilize" a bullet, especialy from an 8" pistol barrel at 30 yards or less.

I take it a slow moving heavy bullet will like 1 in 14 twist?