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can you shoot patched roundballs out of a fast twist barrel (1 in 32 twist)?

I shoot patched round balls out of my 1:32 twist exclusively on whitetails. Took time to figure it out because the gun loved a certain 375 gr. conical (that are not longer made) with 80 grains of pyrodex. When I tried the same charge with patched round balls it shredded the patch and threw the round balls all over the target.

Back the charge down. I shoot 229 gr. hornady .54 caliber round balls with 40 grains of powder and for my gun that is a super accurate round. Every deer I've taken with that load passed straight through side to side and exits. They don't take a step further; knocks them off their hooves and die right there.

The twist is a huge factor, but so is the rifling depth/cut. For example 1/24 54 caliber Pedersoli Jaeger shoot ball pretty well in most cases with full 80 grain loads. So the bottom line is trial and error. Start with 40 grains and work up. Also try different ball diameters and patch thickness. If it is a new barrel, you may want to lap off the sharp rifling. Good luck

My theory on this is that the round ball likes a certain rpm range. You may have to back off on the powder, slow it down a bit to match rpm range of slower twist barrels and higher velocities. One thing about it, shooting BP is a lot of fun so finding a load that works is a great excuse to burn some powder.

FWIW: I have recently run across some works buy a guy named Dutch Schultz. He has a short 'book' called Black Powder Rifle Accuracy. What a tremendous resource. This guy has tried it all and has it down to a science. Worth looking into if you are serous about getting that smokepole to really shoot. He hangs around on muzzleloadingforum.com - he is getting up in age 87? and has lost much of his eyesight but he is still sharp as a tack and knows muzzleloaders.

Sure!

Where they're gonna go is the question!!

LNF150 and centershot I agree 100% found out when I changed from pyrodex to 777, backing off made for much better accuracy.............

Velocity is not necessarily your friend when it comes to round balls. If you ever have the opportunity to look at loads that were considered "standard" back in the 1800's, you'll note that powder charges were significantly less than we tend to use today, often by half.
The message, as others have noted, is to back down your load to achieve accuracy. They'll still be deadly, and easier to put in the right spot.

That sounds like a great excuse to get a new Traditional Muzzleloader with a 1:60 Twist!

My .54 Hawken is a 1/48 twist. Always had a hankerin to get one with a 1/70 so I could ramp up the speed with still good accuracy. Don't know why, cause with 70 grains of black it shoots fine to 75 yards (about my irons limit) and kills 'em dead right there.

Guess I just like a big bang and lots of smoke! And sore shoulders.