Anyone know the twist rate for a TC New Englander 50 cal? Is this twist rate suitable for round balls or conicals?
Thanks
Ray
1 in 48, it will work with both..but not always optimal with either.
Well thats good to know. Would one have any advantage over the other out the 1 in 48 twist? Which would I be better off with trying first?
Thanks for the information.
Ray
For a long time my state required patched round ball and I found that the keys were a very tight patch fit and a moderate powder charge. I tink that heavy charges caused the ball to strip the rifling.
When NY lifted the PR reguirement I switched to one of the lighter weight TC maxi hunters with very good results.
I wish I could give you exact load data but this was 20 years ago. I mostly shot Pyrodex RS although I did briefly expriment with some 2F Goex.
I did shoot 3-4 deer with the round balls, but I have two that I recovered. They were ok deer killers but not really optimum as I don't think they penatrate that well, but good enough.
The Maxi Hunters I used for several seasons until inlines became legal and I switched again. They were always thu and thu even on shoulder shots, Only bad thing was a touch more recoil. In my btwo TC's ( a new englander and a 54 cal renagade) I could shoot some heavy podwer charges behind the maxi's with good accuracy.
If it were me I would start with the maxi hunters, as they have less variables.. basically just powder charge.
For patched round balls, I would choose one size of roundball and try two thickness of patches. . I ended up using the TC natural wonder lube though YMMV. Between powder charges, patch thickness (and different lubes if you so choose) there are many many variables to play with with a round ball. When you add in how long it takes to load/shoot/clean the muzzleloader you can spend some serious range time, which can be good or not depending on your goals.
best of luck
My favorite bullet in a 1-48 twist was the Lee REAL bullet. They were easy to load and shot extremely well. They seem to have fallen out of favor with the newer fast twist sabot guns. A friend of mine cast them for me. I haven't seen any on dealer shelves in a while.
Thanks for the information. I will pick up some round balls with various patches and some Maxi balls. I have two New Englanders so my goal is to have one patched round ball and the other Maxi balls. We will see how it goes.
Thanks again
Ray
Hey Leon, or anyone else who uses the Lee Real. Do they have to be lubed? have some but never used them. Want to shoot them in an old H&R .45 Huntsman. Thanks for your time.
Thanks for the chart Hawken, that will come in handy.
I shoot a T/C New Englander in .54 caliber using 80 gr. of FFFg and a patched round ball.My accuracy is excellent with this load.When I originally got the rifle I tried sabots but got lousy accuracy.I'm sure each rifle may vary but that is what worked for me.
Stan in SC
Stan I have had the same problem with the sabots. Thats what I was trying to shoot and could not hit the broad side of a barn.
"Hey Leon, or anyone else who uses the Lee Real. Do they have to be lubed?"
bj41841,
Yes they should be lubed. I use either young Country #103/beeswax mix, but have also used TC's lube w/ beeswax...prefer the Young Country Lube over TC's...as I'm not too keen on the odor of the TC Lube.
Jerry