Armi Sport Kentucky

straight-shooter · June 7, 2012, 05:52 PM

I just snagged a 13 year old Armi Sport Kentucky long rifle in .45 cal. What amazes me is this rifle has a 1:36 twist. Manual recommends a .440 RB with a .025 patch ? Sounds like a bit thick on the patch but when i get the rifle in the mail i'll slug the barrel and find out for sure. Also states 40 to 50 gr of BP but i'm thinking their leaning towards the conservative side on this.

I'm gonna see how the accuracy with the RB is at the range but with this fast of a twist then maybe a conical or bullet/sabot will be in order. What you all say ?

Hawg · June 7, 2012, 08:06 PM

How do you know it's a 1:36? That's a conical twist.

robhof · June 7, 2012, 09:51 PM

I'd check that twist rate as I have both Kentucky style and Hawkins style Italian rifles and they are either 1:48 or 1:60 the latter is a flinter and the slowest rate is ideal for ball, but not so good for minnies. When you get it put a snug patch on a cleaning jag and push to bottom, mark top of rod and pull out watching rotation, when 1/2 turn is done; measure and double, you'll have the rate. It's probably 1:48 which is the most common and works for both ball and conical.

straight-shooter · June 8, 2012, 04:39 AM

I absolutely agree that the Kentucky "should" have a slower twist. I went directly to the manufacturers website and downloaded the manual. It states a 1:36 twist. So i did some further research on the net and found the same information for these Kentucky's on other gun forums. Evidently this manufacturer uses a faster twist.

When it arrives I'll do the twist check with a rod and verify.

mykeal · June 8, 2012, 05:20 AM

A tight ball/patch and light load can work well for a round ball in a fast twist.

zullo74 · June 8, 2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Manual recommends a .440 RB with a .25 patch

With a .25 patch (that's a quarter inch thick), there will be no room for a round ball. I think you want to use a .015-.018 pillow ticking patch.

Hawg · June 8, 2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

A tight ball/patch and light load can work well for a round ball in a fast twist.

A very light load.

FrontierGander · June 8, 2012, 11:52 AM

sounds right. I had an italian long rifle that had a 1:24 twist and was a 45cal.

straight-shooter · June 8, 2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

With a .25 patch (that's a quarter inch thick), there will be no room for a round ball. I think you want to use a .015-.018 pillow ticking patch.

Whoops, i meant to say .025 patch. I have some .018 pillow ticking patches i'll give a try. I'll try 40gr Goex FF and increase gradually till i find it's sweet spot. I've read that the manufacturer is being conservative on the load recommendation and that these are capable of up to 80gr. Heck, if i find that a 50gr load is suitable then more the better. More shots per pound. I agree that a ball will limit me to a lighter load in a fast twist like this.

I know i'll end up buying some .40cal bullet .45 sabot combo and try those out too with this twist.

I should have the rifle next week sometime so i'll be sure and post up some pics.

straight-shooter · June 13, 2012, 06:41 PM

I received the Armi Sports Kentucky long rifle today. First thing i did was check the twist rate. It is indeed a 1:36 twist. Ramrod done a half turn in 18" exactly. Looks like i'll have some experimenting to do with this one. My highest hope is to find the perfect lead conical style bullet it likes.

As promised, the pics....

zullo74 · June 13, 2012, 07:46 PM

Really nice.

straight-shooter · June 14, 2012, 04:19 PM

I just slugged the barrel and it is .456 so with this in mind i'm going to try .440 ball with a .18 patch and see how that works out.

Beagle333 · June 14, 2012, 04:47 PM

That's an awesome looking rifle!

robhof · June 14, 2012, 08:01 PM

The ROA conical mold from Lee casts a .457 conical with a tapered base for easier loading in a pistol, they shoot great in my Ky style rifle that also slugs out at .456.

mykeal · June 14, 2012, 10:05 PM

.18 patch? Perhaps that's .018.

straight-shooter · June 15, 2012, 05:15 AM

Quote:

.18 patch? Perhaps that's .018.

You are correct. I think i need to go out and shoot some more black powder.

Shotput79 · June 21, 2012, 09:30 PM

You have a fine looking rifle there straight-shooter. Enjoy evey time youtake it out.

June 7, 2012, 05:52 PM	#1
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Armi Sport Kentucky I just snagged a 13 year old Armi Sport Kentucky long rifle in .45 cal. What amazes me is this rifle has a 1:36 twist. Manual recommends a .440 RB with a .025 patch ? Sounds like a bit thick on the patch but when i get the rifle in the mail i'll slug the barrel and find out for sure. Also states 40 to 50 gr of BP but i'm thinking their leaning towards the conservative side on this. I'm gonna see how the accuracy with the RB is at the range but with this fast of a twist then maybe a conical or bullet/sabot will be in order. What you all say ? Last edited by straight-shooter; June 8, 2012 at 01:47 PM.

June 7, 2012, 09:51 PM	#3
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof I'd check that twist rate as I have both Kentucky style and Hawkins style Italian rifles and they are either 1:48 or 1:60 the latter is a flinter and the slowest rate is ideal for ball, but not so good for minnies. When you get it put a snug patch on a cleaning jag and push to bottom, mark top of rod and pull out watching rotation, when 1/2 turn is done; measure and double, you'll have the rate. It's probably 1:48 which is the most common and works for both ball and conical.

June 8, 2012, 11:52 AM	#8
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	sounds right. I had an italian long rifle that had a 1:24 twist and was a 45cal. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

June 7, 2012, 08:06 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	How do you know it's a 1:36? That's a conical twist.

June 8, 2012, 04:39 AM	#4
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	I absolutely agree that the Kentucky "should" have a slower twist. I went directly to the manufacturers website and downloaded the manual. It states a 1:36 twist. So i did some further research on the net and found the same information for these Kentucky's on other gun forums. Evidently this manufacturer uses a faster twist. When it arrives I'll do the twist check with a rod and verify.

June 8, 2012, 05:20 AM	#5
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	A tight ball/patch and light load can work well for a round ball in a fast twist.

June 13, 2012, 06:41 PM	#10
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	I received the Armi Sports Kentucky long rifle today. First thing i did was check the twist rate. It is indeed a 1:36 twist. Ramrod done a half turn in 18" exactly. Looks like i'll have some experimenting to do with this one. My highest hope is to find the perfect lead conical style bullet it likes. As promised, the pics....

June 13, 2012, 07:46 PM	#11
zullo74 Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Posts: 374	Really nice.

June 14, 2012, 04:19 PM	#12
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	I just slugged the barrel and it is .456 so with this in mind i'm going to try .440 ball with a .18 patch and see how that works out.

June 14, 2012, 04:47 PM	#13
Beagle333 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2012 Location: Auburn, AL. Posts: 2,332	That's an awesome looking rifle!

June 14, 2012, 10:05 PM	#15
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	.18 patch? Perhaps that's .018.

June 21, 2012, 09:30 PM	#17
Shotput79 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 186	You have a fine looking rifle there straight-shooter. Enjoy evey time youtake it out.