The 1:48 twist round ball shooters thread

deerslayer303 · December 1, 2014, 01:46 PM

Hey guys, I know we talked about it here and there, but let's get right down to the heart of the matter. Seems manufacturers made plenty of rifles with this 1:48 twist rate. Post up some pics of your best groups with round ball out of the 1:48 barrel with load data. Just how good can they be. I personally haven't got my 1:48 CVA Plainsman shooting where I think it can.

Pahoo · December 1, 2014, 07:54 PM

As in all cases, you really have to work-up an optimum shot string. I don't have pictures to post but I can get 2" groups or less, using up to 70grns of FFFG and PRB in 1:48. If I try to push harder than that, I really start to get flyers.
I no longer shoot competitively so don't keep track. I would expect better performance out of a slower twist. Slower twists have a dedicated following and harder to come by. ....

I don't know how or why most settled for 1:48 as being good for PRB's and Conicals but I get good performance out of 1:48 ....

Be Safe !!!

rodwhaincamo · December 1, 2014, 09:45 PM

I've only broken mine in (Lyman Deerstalker). I haven't tried various things to see what improves it.

SWMBO only allowed me to use the grape seed oil out of the pantry as her olive oil is an expensive one.

I settled on 70 grns of 3F as it made me think of the 45-70 Gov't. Initially I was using the RS and P my father gave me as I hate that powder. I've since moved on to using mostly Olde Eynsford, though I'm certain I've tried Triple 7 as well.

My patches are pillow ticking these days (0.016") and coupled with the .490" balls I cast it takes a small amount of effort on the short starter to get them going.

I found that I need glasses more than I realized. I can see the orange bull at 50 yds but it's not very clear. My groups run from 2-4" or so, and I'm hoping it does better.

I bought some 320 grn Lee REALs mostly to see what recoil was like with a heavy projectile. My first was about a foot left and several inches low, and had keyholed at 50 yds with the typical 70 grn charge. I happened to have wads and tried 2 more and they were nearly touching and just below bull.

Needless to say I bought the mold!

I'm certain with more work I'll find a good load, and I'm hoping to have a <4" group at 100 yds.

I also bought a used 250 grn REAL mold to try.

FrontierGander · December 2, 2014, 12:31 AM

the original Hawken rifles used a 1:48 twist. Its all about the rifling depth and if the shooter actually wants to take the time to learn what his or her rifle wants. You have to experiment with patch thickness, lubes, amount of lube applied to the patch material, swabbing between shots, etc.

December 1, 2014, 01:46 PM	#1
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 2,652	The 1:48 twist round ball shooters thread Hey guys, I know we talked about it here and there, but let's get right down to the heart of the matter. Seems manufacturers made plenty of rifles with this 1:48 twist rate. Post up some pics of your best groups with round ball out of the 1:48 barrel with load data. Just how good can they be. I personally haven't got my 1:48 CVA Plainsman shooting where I think it can.

December 1, 2014, 07:54 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	How good is good enough? As in all cases, you really have to work-up an optimum shot string. I don't have pictures to post but I can get 2" groups or less, using up to 70grns of FFFG and PRB in 1:48. If I try to push harder than that, I really start to get flyers. I no longer shoot competitively so don't keep track. I would expect better performance out of a slower twist. Slower twists have a dedicated following and harder to come by. .... I don't know how or why most settled for 1:48 as being good for PRB's and Conicals but I get good performance out of 1:48 .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

December 2, 2014, 12:31 AM	#4
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	the original Hawken rifles used a 1:48 twist. Its all about the rifling depth and if the shooter actually wants to take the time to learn what his or her rifle wants. You have to experiment with patch thickness, lubes, amount of lube applied to the patch material, swabbing between shots, etc. __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

December 1, 2014, 09:45 PM	#3
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	I've only broken mine in (Lyman Deerstalker). I haven't tried various things to see what improves it. SWMBO only allowed me to use the grape seed oil out of the pantry as her olive oil is an expensive one. I settled on 70 grns of 3F as it made me think of the 45-70 Gov't. Initially I was using the RS and P my father gave me as I hate that powder. I've since moved on to using mostly Olde Eynsford, though I'm certain I've tried Triple 7 as well. My patches are pillow ticking these days (0.016") and coupled with the .490" balls I cast it takes a small amount of effort on the short starter to get them going. I found that I need glasses more than I realized. I can see the orange bull at 50 yds but it's not very clear. My groups run from 2-4" or so, and I'm hoping it does better. I bought some 320 grn Lee REALs mostly to see what recoil was like with a heavy projectile. My first was about a foot left and several inches low, and had keyholed at 50 yds with the typical 70 grn charge. I happened to have wads and tried 2 more and they were nearly touching and just below bull. Needless to say I bought the mold! I'm certain with more work I'll find a good load, and I'm hoping to have a <4" group at 100 yds. I also bought a used 250 grn REAL mold to try.