Sinner said:
I'm getting started in blackpowder again after a brief stint 25 years ago. I just made a purchase on line for a complete stock/fittings on what is described as a lyman "plains" rifle by investarms. Was reported to have had a GM barrel on it previously (modified from a TC drop-in).
MY Question: I'm torn between a .54 cal 1:60-1:70 twist @ 32-42 inches long and a .45 cal 1:20-1:32 twist. I believe the .54 rb to be about 250 grains? and the lyman 45121 mold for a conical about 475 grains. I plan on shooting fffg powder in either. I see from other topics people are shooting prb at faster twists with good accuracy, so maybe a .54 @ 1:32 or so?
I plan on hunting as well as target shoots/rendevous.
Thanks!
Let me preface my comments by saying I'm not prejudiced towards either approach (round ball or long ball). These are just thoughts about the 45 and 54 rifle barrels on that platform that to me deserve mentioning.
That 45 caliber rifle bullet is going to need pressure behind it to expand out to the rifling. Getting it to work could maybe be more recoil in that configuration of rifle than will be nice for snuggling up to on the bench.
FFFg might not make you happy in a 45 rifle bullet barrel. Slower burn will most likely be better for accuracy with velocity.
A typical 45 barrel will require you to size the bullets to bore diameter, swage rifling on to the bullets or get a mold to suit.
A 45 bullet that is accurate will probably not be a fast loading bullet.
A 54 conical in a 15/16" barrel is a lose-lose proposition. 3/16" isn't much wall to be loading up with a lot of powder behind a heavy conical. The lack of wall means more recoil that's bad for the rifle and the shooter. Nothing is gained over what a round ball would do at a higher velocity than the conical would reach.
For hunting 54 round ball is a reasonable compromise between extra-high velocity (like with a long barrel 50) and pure tail kicking knock down (like 58's and bigger). In a 32" or longer barrel it is pretty much the ultimate for 15/16" across the flats with black powder.
For target work a 54 round ball rifle can be loaded down to an accurate little poof.
So, said all that to say this...you'd have to be shooting a long, long ways off to go wrong with a nice off hand shooting 54 round ball rifle.
And if my assuming the 15/16" barrel is off base, you couldn't hardly go wrong with a 58.
But like everybody else in the world, I'm just one great big walking opinion, so takes my thoughts as my own.
Time for me to go to bed. G'nite.