Mikehm said:
From what I have read on this site, my Hawkan's 50 with a 1 in 36" twist is way to fast to shoot round balls.
But that's what I want to shoot, .495 balls with a .010 lubed patch. So whats going to happen to accuracy Etc?
I understand how it works with high power rifles, and fast twist like 1 in 8" vs short light and long heavy bullets Etc, but now Im talking about a round ball. What can I expect from this combination? And what can I do about it, if anything?
Thanks Mike.
If you don't mind, I'm curious what brand of Hawken you have that has a 1:36" twist? I have various hawken barrels made by TC and GM that are 1:48", 1:66", 1:70", and 1:72" twists. Is yours a fast twist LRH GM drop-in for a TC Hawken stock?
I use TC's load data charts for my loads, and use their maximum load data listed for round ball deer hunting loads in .45/.50/.54cals...TC's 1:48" standard barrels shoot their maximum loads very accurately...stands to reason that they would since they list the load data for them of course, so no surprises there.
Assuming you have a good quality, reliable condition muzzleloader built to nominal size land and groove dimensions, the best advice I can think of is this:
Get some Goex 3F, Hornady .490s (nominal size) and .018" TC lubed pillow ticking patches (nominal size).
Set up a target at only 25yds...paper plates are excellent and more importantly, cheap. Make a bright contrast half dollar size aiming point in the middle.
Shoot two groups of 5 from a bench holding and benching the rifle exactly the same way every time using 60, 70, and 80grns Goex 3F.
Clean the bore consistently the same between every shot.
If satisfactory, move out to 50yds and repeat.
Then you'll personally know what your own barrel will do.