barrel twist

Big Ruger · November 16, 2004, 09:36 PM

I have a .58 cal Hawken rifle with a 1-48 barrel. I can throw rocks straighter than this thing shoots. It was an impulse buy, always wanted a 58 Hawken. So anyway I thought about rebarreling with an aftermarket 50 cal. The question I have is the Green mountain barrels are 1-28 twist. So will I be able to shoot patched round balls in this, or conicals , or will I have to shoot sabots and pistol bullets. I dont want to I am kind a traditional guy. thanks E.

drinks · November 16, 2004, 10:45 PM

Big Ruger;
1-48 is a compromise twist, should do well enough with a patched ball [ of the correct size and with the correct patching material] and with the shorter and lighter conical and Minie' bullets.
1-28 is basically for longer and heavier conical bullets.
I have a .50 with 1-48 twist and have good results, less than 2" at 50 yds with open sights and a Lee REAL 250 gr conical bullet.
Try different loads, powders[ Pyrodex and 777], different amounts of powder, different patching materials and different lubricants.
Some thing may do well for you.
Don

November 16, 2004, 09:36 PM	#1
Big Ruger Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2004 Location: Nebraska Posts: 302	barrel twist I have a .58 cal Hawken rifle with a 1-48 barrel. I can throw rocks straighter than this thing shoots. It was an impulse buy, always wanted a 58 Hawken. So anyway I thought about rebarreling with an aftermarket 50 cal. The question I have is the Green mountain barrels are 1-28 twist. So will I be able to shoot patched round balls in this, or conicals , or will I have to shoot sabots and pistol bullets. I dont want to I am kind a traditional guy. thanks E.

November 16, 2004, 10:45 PM	#2
drinks Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2004 Posts: 405	Twist Big Ruger; 1-48 is a compromise twist, should do well enough with a patched ball [ of the correct size and with the correct patching material] and with the shorter and lighter conical and Minie' bullets. 1-28 is basically for longer and heavier conical bullets. I have a .50 with 1-48 twist and have good results, less than 2" at 50 yds with open sights and a Lee REAL 250 gr conical bullet. Try different loads, powders[ Pyrodex and 777], different amounts of powder, different patching materials and different lubricants. Some thing may do well for you. Don