Inline with a Patched Roundball?

[Bowhunter57]

I've got a 28" barreled CVA Optima, in 50 caliber and it has a 1:28 twist. I was thinking of using a patched roundball for groundhogs, next spring. However, a typical roundball rifling is a 1:60, 1:66 or 1:70.

Has anyone ever shot a patched roundball out of a fast twist barrel?
I'm curious as to how good the accuracy would be out to 100 yards and beyond.

 

[giles]

Why?

 

[Sgt Fury]

Why?

Fixed it for ya….

 

[Sgt Fury]

I've got a 28" barreled CVA Optima, in 50 caliber and it has a 1:28 twist. I was thinking of using a patched roundball for groundhogs, next spring. However, a typical roundball rifling is a 1:60, 1:66 or 1:70.

Has anyone ever shot a patched roundball out of a fast twist barrel?
I'm curious as to how good the accuracy would be out to 100 yards and beyond.

Don’t know about the twist rate/accuracy but I can tell you putting 30 grains of powder with a patch and round ball is like shooting a .22 rifle…hardly any kick. Lots of fun shooting squirrels.

 

[Bowhunter57]

Why?

Roundballs are less expensive than conical bullets and for groundhogs they hit pretty hard too. Using loose powder it would be easy to work up an accurate load....if the rate of twist didn't mess up the accuracy at longer ranges.

 

[giles]

You should have it threaded so you can put a suppressor on it.

 

[brock ratcliff]

I would think the faster rate of twist would make then projectile unstable. Round ball guns have a show twist for a reason. With that said it would cost you very much to find out on your own on the backyard range.

 

["J"]

I would think the faster rate of twist would make then projectile unstable. Round ball guns have a show twist for a reason. With that said it would cost you very much to find out on your own on the backyard range.

This is a very accurate statement. You won’t have the accuracy of a conical or sabot.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Conical bullets like buffalo bullets will not fly out of a 1/28 barrel. That I do know for myself from my own backyard range. They keyholed terribly.

 

[GoetsTalon]

My Thompson Center Renegade has a 1-48 and is supposed to be good for both ball and conical bullets but it likes patch and ball best. Sweet spot is 90 grains of double F black powder. Did try hunting ground hogs one year with it but never got any lol. Shot a lot of pyrodex out of it but never got good groups. Talked to Chad Cleland and he's like you know there's a reason why we use black powder in competition. So I bought a couple pounds to try and never looked back. This doe was a 130 yard shot.

 

[Bowhunter57]

@GoetsTalon
Chad Cleland certainly knows what he's talking about. He's "shot out" the rifling in more T/C barrels, than I'll ever own. I met him at the Friendship, Indiana shoot, several years ago, before I knew he had Cleland's Outdoor World, in Swanton, Ohio. I was just curious about the roundball theory, but it would probably be best to just stick to conical sabots with this inline.
I've been looking at the Kibler Longrifle kits, in one of their Colonial models, which would be an excellent patched roundball rifle choice. However, they're only $1200 to $1400, but damn good looking rifles when they're finished.

 

[GoetsTalon]

One of these days I'm going to get a .36 caliber and use it on squirrels.

 

[giles]

He no longer has Cleland Outdoor World. My buddy bought it a few years back.

 

[GoetsTalon]

Another pic that shows that I did have my hunter orange lol. Wish I still had those trebark woodland bibs lol.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Here’s a pic that was taken many moons ago of me and a Thompson Center Hawken 50 cal. This was the rifle that I used to shoot squirrels with 30 grains of powder and a patch/round ball. Wish I still had that gun.

 

[Fletch]

View attachment 167829
Here’s a pic that was taken many moons ago of me and a Thompson Center Hawken 50 cal. This was the rifle that I used to shoot squirrels with 30 grains of powder and a patch/round ball. Wish I still had that gun.

George I have the same gun... It's accounted for a few deer using buffalo bullets...

 

[GoetsTalon]

That's awesome!!! I went cheap and got the Renegade but always liked the hawken!

 

[GoetsTalon]

Still have mine. By the looks of it I'll be out in January with it. Hopefully snow on the ground!

 

[the Lackster]

You should have it threaded so you can put a suppressor on it.

Time out guys, I need 5 minutes for a reload