1" Barrel, Extended Range RB Rifle

[nkbj]

If yall could be so persuaded, I'm asking for opinions and past experiences. As far as an extended range round ball rifle goes, is .58 caliber about the best to get? More reach than a .50 or .54 as well as being less subject to wind deflection? I like the .62 also. But, I'm thinking the .58 might have the edge when it comes to getting fps up in a given length of barrel.
And somebody's gonna wonder about "how far" so the answer is as far as I can get. The best caliber to start off with is really what I've been thinking about.

 

[Stubert]

The bigger the ball the faster it will drop, trying to get it fast enough to compensate for drop may become punishing. Check a roundball ballistics chart, it may help you decide which way to go. I have a slow-twist 62 cal that is never going to be a long range rifle, I would probably be leaning towards the 54.

 

[Lonegun1894]

You're right in going with a larger/heavier ball until you get to the point that was mentioned above regarding recoil. The biggest obstacle in your way isnt going to be so much the rifle, but the low balistic coefficient of the round ball itself regardless of the caliber. Also, depending on just how much range you are trying to get, this may or may not actually be a NEED, but I agree that its always fun and educational to try so you know what happens and know where your limits are. The good news is that the .58 ball you mentioned should be enough for most targets as far out as it is still in flight. The bad news is that the drop gets severe quickly and a miscalculation on your part of even a few yards can mean a complete miss, or even worse, a wounded animal.

 

[Many Klatch]

I recently was shooting at 200 meter gongs offhand with a .54 round ball earlier this year. There was a bit of a wind from right to left. I used my standard load of 75 grains of 3F. I had to hold about 8 feet above the target and 6 feet to the right to get the ball to hit anywhere near the gongs. I suppose I could have doubled the charge to get less drop, but after a while the big charges stop being fun.

The bench gun shooters shoot large caliber rifles, .58 and .62 with 350 grain charges at 100 and 200 yard ranges on a regular basis, but their guns weigh 35 to 40 pounds.

Many Klatch

 

[zimmerstutzen]

A large round ball can do right well for targets out to about 300 yds. Larger round balls do carry their energy down range much better than small ones. While the drop is one thing, the deceleration of the smaller ones decreases their range when compared to the larger balls. There comes a point that the weight of the rifle barrel outweighs the benefits of a larger caliber. The largest I have is a 62 and it weighs a ton.

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

How about the Whitworth bullet guns? They were used in the Civil War as sniper rifles.

 

[Walks with fire]

Well you said a 1" barrel so max. charge is going to be very likely 120 grains of black. A .58 with a super long barrel you could reach about 1550 fps. I ran that through the calculations for a 200 yard zero and got a midrange(100 yard) height of 16.4" and a 32" drift @ 10 mph.

I ran the .50 and .54 balls at 2150 and 1900 respectivley and the .50 was flatter but had 36" of drift. A very slight gust @ 200 would move it 10-12" at that range. Top energy was the .58 with about 378 and 301 for the .50

 

[nkbj]

Thanks. Those are some interesting figures. Downloaded a round ball ballistic calculator program today and will be running some more numbers.

 

[F.G. Ford]

If you are shooting gongs, it doesn't really matter if you hit poorly, or not, however if you hit an annimal, it will suffer unfairly.
I have hunted moose with my .62, and .58, and the did their work well.
One shot kills, with no tracking.
But with most black powder rifles, your maximun range is 125-150 yards.
For good and reliable shot placement.
No matter which caliber you shoot, the bullet drop from 75 yds. to 150 yds. is substantial.
I have taken one moose with my Whitworth, with a slug ( bullet ) the distance was barely 100 yds., and the old fellow went down as if he was hit by lightning.
You must respect you game to do a hunt honestly.
Muzzleloaders are not magnum rifles!
Best regards
Old Ford

 

[Walks with fire]

There is no question that if a person is going to shoot at long range with a black powder rifle a fast twist using a conical bullet is the way to go. It doesn't take a super powder charge either. Those big (heavy) long .38-.45 caliber bullets are the way to go and they are extremely accurate.

Not to knock a roundball but consistant long range accuracy is much more difficult.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I can't add much new except emphasis. Keep in mind, a round ball and a thrown brick are about the same with regards to ballistic efficiency. "long range" and "round ball" really do not belong in the same conversation...usually. Longer ranges are a big reason by bullets were invented. By choosing to shoot round balls we are acknowledging limitations of the old system and tools.
As stated, some bench rest shooters do shoot large calibers, like .62, from very heavy barreled guns. When they go off the earth shakes.
I suggest, you have a choice to make, long range or round ball muzzle loader.
For a heavy hunting gun with round balls, a .58 will be a stopper for anything that walks on this continent. However, I would not suggest it for an angry charging grizzle bar. Ask yer guide to hand you the .375 H&H fer that. :wink:

 

[Walks with fire]

Just for comparison I ran the numbers on some bullet loads:

.45 325 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet over 85 grains of 2f Goex @ 1500 fps. gave a midrange height of 9.7"; 830 lbs energy and 14.3" drift @ 200 yard zero.

.50 410 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet over 90 grains 2f Goex gave a midrange height of 11.1", 954 lbs. energy; and 14.6" drift @ 200 yard zero.

Wind speed 90 degrees @ 10 mph.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Just for comparison I ran the numbers on some bullet loads:

.45 325 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet over 85 grains of 2f Goex @ 1500 fps. gave a midrange height of 9.7"; 830 lbs energy and 14.3" drift @ 200 yard zero.

.50 410 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet over 90 grains 2f Goex gave a midrange height of 11.1", 954 lbs. energy; and 14.6" drift @ 200 yard zero.

Wind speed 90 degrees @ 10 mph.

Your numbers are close to mine on the 410 gr Hornady. I had a velocity of 1500 for the Hornady 410 gr. My FPE was 1052 for 200 yards.

Just for giggles run this with the same numbers wind speed and 200 yard zero.
This is my load for my renegade.
Paper patched Lee C-501-440-RF. 80 gr Pyrodex P.

460 gr bullet
BC of .296
Velocity 1310

The velocity of this load was taken by a Ohler 35.
The BC was from Lee.

Ron

 

[Walks with fire]

Hello Ron;

Yep; that's a pretty good BC.

Here's the numbers.

12.5" midrange @ 200 zero
1138 lbs. energy @ 200; velocity @ 200 1056 fps.
10" drift @ 200 with 90degree 10mph.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Hello Ron;

Yep; that's a pretty good BC.

Here's the numbers.

12.5" midrange @ 200 zero
1138 lbs. energy @ 200; velocity @ 200 1056 fps.
10" drift @ 200 with 90degree 10mph.

Your numbers are close to mine. I have the midrange 12.3"
1151 FPE at 1061 FPS
9.78" of drift.

They are close enough that there is no practical difference. This load is a big game devastator.
Ron

 

[F.G. Ford]

If you are shooting gongs, it doesn't really matter if you hit poorly, or not, however if you hit an annimal, it will suffer unfairly.
I have hunted moose with my .62, and .58, and the did their work well.
One shot kills, with no tracking.
But with most black powder rifles, your maximun range is 125-150 yards.
For good and reliable shot placement.
No matter which caliber you shoot, the bullet drop from 75 yds. to 150 yds. is substantial.
I have taken one moose with my Whitworth, with a slug ( bullet ) the distance was barely 100 yds., and the old fellow went down as if he was hit by lightning.
You must respect you game to do a hunt honestly.
Muzzleloaders are not magnum rifles!
Best regards
Old Ford

I should check my spelling & grammer prior to posting
Old Ford