What Is The Down Side.....?

[ShootistJack]

Friends,
What is the down side of firing a patched round ball in a barrel with 1:24 inch twist rate?
Obviously that rate is to stabilize an unpatched conical.
But what are the negatives to be expected if you try a patched round ball?

 

[biliff]

My dueling pistols have 1/18” twist and PRB works fine at lower pistol velocities. In a rifle just don’t drive it too fast.

 

[sheriff john]

Won't hurt nothin' that I know of. Slow twist's easier to load. Try different charges 'til you find what works best. Might be surprised.

 

[martin9]

The only downside is it may not shoot a large powder charge as well. It'll shoot a roundball just fine though. A lot of old, original guns had faster twists than what is commonly offered today.

 

[user 49399]

I know we aren’t supposed to talk about certain guns on here but I’ll tell you this to hopefully answer your question. I have used my traditional load of 50 grains 2f under a patched .490 round ball in a .50 caliber modern rifle with a fast twist rate. It shot a cloverleaf hole at 50 yards. Shooting a patched round ball in a fast twist rate works fine if you figure out what load your gun likes.

 

[Art Caputo]

Generally, the faster twist with a PRB would require lower velocities to fully engage the barrels rifling, thus effecting spin/accuracy. However, factors such as rifling depth, design, fit(tightness) of the PLR etc. can influence this effect. As stated, the best way to find out is to test your particular rifle. I have 1:48TW rifles that shoot PRB’s as well as my 1:66TW rifles at comparable velocity.

 

[Whitworth]

I don't think you can over stabilize a ball, striping the rifling would be the biggest concern with too fast a twist.

 

[hanshi]

Deep rifling in a fast twist is always a help when shooting prb. Also tighter loads help the prb from skipping (stripping) and not engaging the rifling. Your rifle could easily turn out to be a tack driver with prb and the right load.

 

[charlesk]

Accuracy suffers with a fast rate of twist. I have a Great Plains Hunter 1:32. If you're not concerned about finishing 1st every time when competition shooting, 1:28 will be fine and you can still hit a 4bit coin at 50yds W/PRB 1 out of three shots. At least that's what I get with 65 GR of BP at club matches. If your hunting shouldn't matter.

 

[Curley 50 cal]

I acquired a Jukar 45 cal with a fast twist in percussion, for $165. As far as I am concerned it is a worthless piece and should be called a “JUNKAR”. Round ball 0.440 with a 0.18 patch at 45 gr FFF shot from a bench we all over the place. It is now in a cardboard box. I wont give it the respect of a quality wool gun sock or a name.

 

[ShootistJack]

Jukar 45 cal with a fast twist in percussion, for $165. As far as I am concerned it is a worthless piece and should be called a “JUNKAR”. Round ball 0.440 with a 0.18 patch at 45 gr FFF shot from a bench we all over the place.

Thank you for those details!

 

[longcruise]

I know we aren’t supposed to talk about certain guns on here but I’ll tell you this to hopefully answer your question. I have used my traditional load of 50 grains 2f under a patched .490 round ball in a .50 caliber modern rifle with a fast twist rate. It shot a cloverleaf hole at 50 yards. Shooting a patched round ball in a fast twist rate works fine if you figure out what load your gun likes.

I saw a 54 fast twist rifle shoot quite accurately with a prb over 90 grains of ff. This by a new shooter who just didn't know any better.

I don't think you can over stabilize a ball, striping the rifling would be the biggest concern with too fast a twist.

I've seen this reference to stripping the rifling for many years. Not saying it doesn't happen but as far as I know there's never been a definitive test that proves that it happens.