New Mission.....find slow twist .32 or .36

[dave63]

Okay....I've got a new itch. I have to have a small caliber rifle. Percussion or flint, and because I'm sure that all I will shoot is PRB, I want a slow twist barrel. All I can find is 1-48". Does anybody make a production 1-66" or 70".

Or am I too worried about the twist rate? Is a medium twist just as accurate as slow in the smaller calibers?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Rebel]

With a .32 cal. 1-48 actually is a slow twist. I have had 3 .32's with that twist and they all shot real good. I would consider getting a Traditions Crockett if you want a nice looking, great shooting caplock .32.

 

[shmrck1]

Dave from Indy,
:agree:with Rebel i have the traditions
crockett and just love it. very accurate with 25 grns prb.
got mine from www.rmcsports.com for $278 plus s&h and they are easy people to deal with :imo:
snake-eyes eace: :thumbsup:

 

[irishjim]

If you happen to already have a TC Hawkin, Green Mountain offers a .32 cal that they advertise as a "round ball" twist. Their ad doesn't specifically list the twist but I'm sure an e-mail or call to their 800# would yield the necessary information.

 

[montanadan]

DAVE FROM INDY-I have to agree with REBEL and SNAKE EYES, for the money that little crockett is a heck of a gun. I really like mine. 20grns. 3fg .311 RB .010 patch, 25 yds great shooter. I got mine from MID-SOUTH for 267.00 plus frt. Other than clean, I have not touched mine, shot POA out of the box. Hope this helps..Respectfully Montanadan.

 

[Slamfire]

In reality, you want a fast twist, so you can load prbs down to roughly the same energy as the .22 rimfires. Normal loads develop as much or more than the .22 rimfire magnum, which tears up too much meat when shooting small game for the pot.
Now varmint hunting is a different thing, keep the velocity up to ensure humane kills. :m2c:

 

[shmrck1]

Slamfire,
i don't eat eyes anyhow which is the only thing
i've ever hit with my .32 so i don't worry about meat
damage :results: :crackup: :crackup: :crackupUH.
snake-eyes eace: :master: :yakyak: :yakyak:

 

[harryo]

With a .32 cal. 1-48 actually is a slow twist. I have had 3 .32's with that twist and they all shot real good. I would consider getting a Traditions Crockett if you want a nice looking, great shooting caplock .32.

Rebel is quite correct. The 1:48" twist is correct for round balls in a .32cal. As the diameter of a ball decreases, the twist rate has to increase in order to spin the ball at the same number of revolutions per second.

I would also agree with the recommendation of the Traditions Crockett. I have one and it is an excellent shooting rifle for a very reasonable price. The Green Mountain barrels to drop in a T/C, which were mentioned, are also 1:48" twist and are excellent barrels. Their biggest drawback is a .32cal in a 15/16" or 1" barrel makes a very heavy rifle that doesn't balance well, IMO.

 

[dbowling]

I just ordered a .36 Hopkins and Allen Heritage underhammer w/32 in. and 1:66 twist, Bruce from Bluegrouse Blackpowder said it will shoot prb or maxi-balls equally well. 255.00 shipped w/2# maxi-balls or roundballs your choice. Should have it by middle of Feb. as he was sold out when I ordered it... Dean

 

Almost all BP barrels under 40 caliber are 1 in 48 twist and they will work with PRB's and some conical just fine. Check some of the suppliers of barrels and manufactures in the links section, and I think you will find this is true. The new H&A underhammers are supposed to be two inches at 50 yards, at least thats what he promises. I think his link is www.bluegrouse.com

 

[dbowling]

He (Bruce) told me that some guys who have messed around w/different loads can get 1 in. groups at 100 yds. with the Hopkins and Allen with a scope.I would think 2 in. would be fairly easy at 50 yds. with open sights, if your eyes can see good enough to do it.He also said that the H/A is one of if not the most accurate muzzleloaders out there, guess I will find out when I get mine. All I care is that it will take a squirrels head off when I want it to and wreak havoc on coyotes and groundhogs..Plus just be fun to shoot...

 

I can remember Numrich Arms selling those rifles for $29.95 and shipping!

and you are thrilled over $255.00

amazing!

 

[Ohio Joe]

I want a slow twist barrel. All I can find is 1-48". Does anybody make a production 1-66" or 70".

I had Ed Rayl make me a .45 x 38" barrel with 1 in 72 twist, as well as a .40 x 36" barrel with 1 in 72 twist. Both are tac drivers out to 50 yards.

I don't know how a .32 or .36 would perform with that twist, but for me, it's 1 in 72 for .40 and up! :thumbsup:

 

[Slamfire]

Snake, You won't be very happy at a Cambodian wedding dinner. ::

 

[shmrck1]

Slamfire,
let me guess they have rat eyes for desert :crackup: :crackup:
snake-eyes eace:

 

[dave63]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm hitting the gun show tomorrow to see if I find anything interesting. If not, looks like I'll be ordering a Crockett.

Thanks again.

Dave

 

[dbowling]

Hey Ghost, Gas used to be 37 cents a gallon, cigarettes 50 cents a pack and you could get a 870 Wingmaster shotgun for about 150.00, now what do they all cost, just a sign of the times(greed).Either you buy or you do without, I prefer to buy it if I can afford it and complain about the price later when Im broke.Good shooting, Dean :imo:

 

[Slamfire]

Fish eyes, son, fish eyes.

 

[bshultz]

rice barrel company makes a 32 cal with a 1-in 56 twist,he doesn't recommend going any slower than that in 32 cal. :m2c:

 

[Hutt]

On the other end of the spectrum theres the T/C Cherokee .32 with a 1:30 twist, excellent for maxi-balls but will accommodate RB's nicely.