Rice Barrels BIG .50 Cal at 1,200 Yards, 3 Consecutive Hits on Steel

[R.J.Bruce]

A Rice .50 caliber Fast Twist barrel measures 1" across the flats octagon. Rice doesn't make the .50 caliber in 15/16" octagon. The .45 caliber is available in either 15/16" or 1" straight octagon. Barrels come standard at 28" & 32" long, with the underrib, 2 ramrod pipes, and the barrel wedge key underlug installed, in the white (not blued). The front sight dovetail is machined into place. I do not recall if Rice drills & taps the barrel for the traditional open rear sight. (edit: Williams sights are provided)

Groove depth is 0.0035"-0.004" deep.

The barrels come with a Rice percussion snail drum hooked breech that fits the Thompson/Center hooked tang. The drum takes a standard 1/4"-28 threaded nipple. Platinum-lined nipples are recommended due to the high breech pressures generated by heavy lead conicals in a fast twist barrel.


The .45 caliber is available standard with a 1:18" or 1:28" rate of twist. The .50 caliber is available standard with a 1:24" rate of twist. Other twists are available upon request.

As a note of interest, these Rice drop-in barrels are available in standard round ball calibers & twists in Rice's standard muzzleloading steel. Depth of the grooves is 0.010"-0.012" deep.

(15/16") .32, .36, .40, .45, & .50 caliber
(1") .32, .36, .40, .45, .50, & .54 caliber

.32, .36, & .40 caliber = 1:48" twist
.45, .50, & .54 caliber = 1:66" twist

Twist rates can be changed upon request.

 

[Bad Karma]

I’ve actually been contemplating sending the ratty barrel on my investarms Hawken to Rayl or Hoyt for a liner. One of my shooting buddies is set up for long .375 conicals in a tc Hawken. If I go with that caliber, I won’t have to buy a mold.

all this long range stuff is gonna cost me money.

Well... Not that much really if your buddy has molds and you have a ratty barrel... Bobby can fix that for around $200.00, $60.00 to BACO for a Platinum lined nipple and you'll have a brand new rifle!

 

[Cap'n Ball]

I recently discovered your youtube videos and found them both interesting and informative although I have always been a PRB shooter. Now a father-son procect requiring bullets, the white buffalo at Whittington with my old guns and his young eyes. The rifle is a TC Hawken in 45 with a factory venier tang sight and a Lyman globe in front. I am having difficulty finding off the shelf bullets in the right size. What do you recommend?

 

[Idaholewis]

Is this a 15/16th barrel or 1"? I would like to get one for my lyman trade rifle. I'm thinking it's a 15/16th. I've use a tc drop in barrel on it for a replacement years ago.

Mine is 1” inch across the Flats. Rice does these Barrels in 15/16“ or 1” inch

Your Lyman is likely 15/16” inch

The Old TC Hawken‘s in .45 & .50 Cal were all 15/16” inch, With the .54 TC Hawken being 1” inch, ALL TC Renegades were 1” inch

 

[Idaholewis]

I recently discovered your youtube videos and found them both interesting and informative although I have always been a PRB shooter. Now a father-son procect requiring bullets, the white buffalo at Whittington with my old guns and his young eyes. The rifle is a TC Hawken in 45 with a factory venier tang sight and a Lyman globe in front. I am having difficulty finding off the shelf bullets in the right size. What do you recommend?

Is your .45 Cal Barrel the Stock/Factory TC Barrel?

 

[Cap'n Ball]

Is your .45 Cal Barrel the Stock/Factory TC Barrel?

Yes. The only change from factory is the Lyman front sight.

 

[RedRiverII]

That's some very impressive shooting, thank you for posting. I think it is beyond impressive that you could chuck a 600 gr. round nose lead bullet with that kind of acuracy, just Wow!

 

[Idaholewis]

Yes. The only change from factory is the Lyman front sight.

Unfortunately you don’t have many options, The Stock 1:48 Twist Barrels will not Stabilize the Big long Bullets (1.450” or there very close abouts) That are needed to Shoot long Range, You really need at least a 1:18 Twist .45 Cal for that. With the right Bullet/Load Combo I believe 300 Yards is achievable with your Stock .45 Cal, 1:48 Twist, I have done it with Stock 1:48 Twist TC Barrels in .50 and .54 Cal.

As for Bullets, and availability for the 1:48 Twist? I really don’t know? I would contact someone like Dan of Bullshop Bullets, tell him what you have, and what you want to do? Dan should be able to help you. The 345-350 Grain Lyman Gould is an awesome Bullet, It shot very well for me in my TC 1:48 Twist .45 Hawken Barrel. Fact is, I haven’t done a lot with my Stock TC 1:48 Twist .45 Cal Rifle/Barrel. I have with the .50 & .54, but not the .45

Again, I would contact Dan & Tina of Bullshop Bullets and ask them what they have that should work well in the 1:48 Twist .45 Cal TC Hawken?

Their Email is- [email protected]
https://bullshop.weebly.com/bullets.html

 

[Okurok]

Idaholewis, is there a way to order the bullet mold you designed from BACO or is it not available? I bought a renegade stock and have a order in with Rice. Don't want to step on any toes but it appears that the bullet design works for you. If it is available for purchase I would like to know the description. Thanks.

 

[Idaholewis]

Idaholewis, is there a way to order the bullet mold you designed from BACO or is it not available? I bought a renegade stock and have a order in with Rice. Don't want to step on any toes but it appears that the bullet design works for you. If it is available for purchase I would like to know the description. Thanks.

This is it, I had this Grease Groove, and a Paper Patch Bullet made for the BIG 1:24 Twist .50 Cal, They both shoot equally well
https://www.buffaloarms.com/503-muzzleloading-mold-jim503610c1.html
This is my Paper Patch Bullet, .493 Diameter, 615 Grains Cast of 1-20 Alloy. This one is not listed on their website, But should be in their CAD Software

The 615 Paper Patch Bullet in action at 750 Yards

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

WOW...I'm impressed. I can't even see a 3' target at 1200 yards.

 

[Idaholewis]

WOW...I'm impressed. I can't even see a 3' target at 1200 yards.

Thank you Mark! I have been doing this stuff awhile I am a Subscriber to your YouTube Channel, I enjoy your Content Keep up the Good Work!

 

[harleysboss]

I paid a visit over to see Lewis earlier in the month. He showed me the shooting position to the target position. Very cool shot set up for sure. I agree with even seeing the 3' target is a challenge in itself. On a total side note...Don't bring any cool factor guns with you. Probably wont leave with them!

 

[Idaholewis]

I paid a visit over to see Lewis earlier in the month. He showed me the shooting position to the target position. Very cool shot set up for sure. I agree with even seeing the 3' target is a challenge in itself. On a total side note...Don't bring any cool factor guns with you. Probably wont leave with them!

Not to worry my Friend, The Ole Underhammer is in GOOD Hands here with me, It has become quite popular The #1 question i get asked is “Who was the Dummy that Sold it???”

 

[harleysboss]

Thinking hard about a 50 cal LRH clone of the 12 ga. underhammer....with the barrel that the dummy acquired in the trade of course

 

[M. De Land]

Good shooting and excellent conditions from what I can see. How long do your nipple orifices last before needing changed?

 

[3Setters]

That is some outstanding shooting. I couldnt do that at 100 yards