Determining the barrel twist

[kelljp]

What is the procedure to determine the twist in an unmarked barrel ?

 

[Squatch84]

I don't know if I can post the link because it's on YouTube but if you search YouTube for Black powder TV Bob has a video on determining twist rate that is really good.
If you don't use YouTube what you do is use a tight fitting patch push it all the way to the bottom of the bore and mark the rod then slowly making sure that the rifling is engaged pull it up until you make the mark move a 1/4 of a turn then measure from the end of the barrel to the mark and times it by four and that should be close to your twist rate.
I think I explained it close enough.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I do what @Squatch84 does. I use a flag of masking tape to mark the rod at the muzzle. As I pull the rod out, the flag rotates. When the flag has rotated 180 degrees, I measure from the muzzle mark at the flag to the muzzle and multiply that length by 2 to calculate the twist rate. I do this at least three times with a new patch each time to keep the patch very tight in the rifling. Watch the flag. It needs to be turning smoothly as the rod is pulled.

Squatch84 must have a short barred rifle, but his method will work. Most of my rifles have 32" or longer barrels.

 

[kelljp]

I don't know if I can post the link because it's on YouTube but if you search YouTube for Black powder TV Bob has a video on determining twist rate that is really good.
If you don't use YouTube what you do is use a tight fitting patch push it all the way to the bottom of the bore and mark the rod then slowly making sure that the rifling is engaged pull it up until you make the mark move a 1/4 of a turn then measure from the end of the barrel to the mark and times it by four and that should be close to your twist rate.
I think I explained it close enough.

Thanks for the info !

 

[Squatch84]

Squatch84 must have a short barred rifle, but his method will work. Most of my rifles have 32" or longer barrels.

I do, 24", 28" and a 33 1/2". I just use the 1/4 turn on all of them.

 

[M. De Land]

Tight patches work pretty good with muzzle loaders as the rifling is usually good and deep enough to grip the patch but if you want a better grip on more shallow rifling use some cerosafe chamber cast metal on a metal rod with some parallel file cuts in it so the rod can't turn inside the cast when cool.
A bit of melted ball lead works just as well put takes a bit longer.