Slowest Twist

[nkbj]

Everybody, what do yall think will be the slowest twist in a 30" barrel for these molds for target shooting out to 300 yards?

 

[nkbj]

 

[nkbj]

 

[nkbj]

The gas check base may get milled off of this one.

 

[erhunter]

What caliber and weight are your bullets? You will need that info to determine your rate of twist. Even bullet length has a lot to do with r.o.t.

 

[Larry Akers]

Search Greenhill Formula, plug your bullet data into the formula and you will get optimum twist for that bullet.

 

[GoodRabbitPilgrim]

I've seen @Idaholewis do some impressive things with a 1:48 twist rifle and conicals.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

According to Ned Roberts in The Muzzle-Loading Cap Lock Rifle, the twist rates for rifles that fired long bullets with paper patching were from 1:14 to 1:20 twist rates, and from calibers .35 to .45, with 1:18 being very common. A gain twist was also considered by some expert marksmen to be a requirement. These fellows were shooting out to 220 and 440 yards.

LD

 

[Bad Karma]

I’d want around 1 in 18”. if that’s a 45 it’ll push 500 grains and it’s a long bullet.

 

[nkbj]

Duh. I didn't include the mold block numbers.

Those are all .457 / .458 cast with soft lead or low tin alloys.
I size to .457 diameter for the 24" twist TC New Englander. Now I want to build a New Englander with a 30" barrel and a short Malcolm scope.

First mold is Lyman 451114 450gr. (strangely enough .457 diameter).
Second mold is Lyman 457121 475gr.
Third is RCBS 45-500 GC.

About Greenhill, I use it. It is a ballpark fudgelator. And the twist you use, your barrel length, the range the bullet has to stay stabilized, it all changes with bullet design. I'm hoping someone is already walking this trail and can talk me through the switchbacks.
Maybe I'll experiment with the tall boys in the 24" twist and see how far I can get them to go before tipping.

 

[longcruise]

If they make it to 100 yards they will probably remain stable unless they roll over when they go sub sonic. For the 24 twist id just go with the shortest one but I'm far from knowledgeable on it. Just extrapolating from BPCR experience.

 

[sawyer04]

Everybody, what do yall think will be the slowest twist in a 30" barrel for these molds for target shooting out to 300 yards?

May I ask what weapon this bullet is used? just curious.

 

[mhb]

My Parker-Hale Volunteer is rifled 1 in 20", which is correct for .45 bullets of this length and weight. This is also the standard rifling pitch for the U.S. .45-70 arms, which use essentially the same bullets. That pitch will stabilize these bullets to any reasonable range - if you decide that a faster pitch is desireable, I'd recommend you go no faster than 1 in 18", since faster rates will foul much more quickly.

mhb - MIke

 

[Bad Karma]

My Parker-Hale Volunteer is rifled 1 in 20", which is correct for .45 bullets of this length and weight. This is also the standard rifling pitch for the U.S. .45-70 arms, which use essentially the same bullets. That pitch will stabilize these bullets to any reasonable range - if you decide that a faster pitch is desireable, I'd recommend you go no faster than 1 in 18", since faster rates will foul much more quickly.

mhb - MIke

True enough, my 1 in 14 .40 fouls quickly but I swab after every shot with these bullet shooters unless hunting and even then… I can get 3 or four accurate shots with the Lyman 403173 bullet sized to .401”.

 

[nkbj]

May I ask what weapon this bullet is used? just curious.

Thinking about making a 30" barrel New Englander, left handed, probably with a short Malcolm scope.
What I have now is a New Englander with TC peep sight, the barrel relined to .458 bore diameter and 24" twist, shooting .457 bullets. This bullet works well.

 

[nkbj]

True enough, my 1 in 14 .40 fouls quickly but I swab after every shot with these bullet shooters unless hunting and even then… I can get 3 or four accurate shots with the Lyman 403173 bullet sized to .401”.

That is a reflection on my thoughts in seeking info on the slowest twist that I could get by with.

 

[Bad Karma]

That is a reflection on my thoughts in seeking info on the slowest twist that I could get by with.

Are you having a barrel made? Lined/bored?

 

[Bad Karma]

If a reline by Hoyt you might request a progressive twist with the final rate 1 in 18 or so.

 

[nkbj]

I acquired a spare left handed fifty barrel a while back with some pitting.
Using it for parts, would turn it over to Mr. Hoyt. He did the liner on the 24" twist New Englander.
About the progressive twist, I really just don't know.

 

[nkbj]

Well, maybe my plans got changed.
I just got one of these on ebay for $39.17.
If the mold casts good bullets then my birthday barrel just might be "Old No.47".