Most promising projectile?

I recently brought home a 54 caliber full-stock - 27" barrel, seven-groove rifling. When I get the time I'll post pictures and hope that someone can enlighten me as to its likely origin..

In the meantime, I'm wondering what, if anything, is going to shoot well in that bore and rifling? Patched round ball, minnie???? Instead of being square cut, the grooves appear at the muzzle to be rounded.

If I did the old turns of a patched-ramrod trick correctly, the twist rate is something on the order of 1:96.

The very well maintained condition of bore, drum and nipple (musket) suggest to me that a previous owner was a serious shooter. Of what, I don't have a clue.

The main thing you need to know is the rifling Twist and actual bore and groove depth.
I sometimes make a casting of the bore with a plug of epoxy.
I can do that at the muzzle end of the barrel , without having to pull the breech plug.

Slow twist generally does better with patched ball. Tighter twists work better on long bullets.

I like to shoot patched ball so I stick with 1-66" or slower - but I had a 1-48" that shot pretty well with PRB.

I would try a round ball and something like the Lyman 533476 and go from there.

I am a round ball shooter so partial to .530 or .535 ball depending on the rifle’s likes. Always amazing how the amount of powder, ball choice and patch thickness makes a significant difference in performance. For me that’s the fun of PB figuring what makes it shoot best. Never messed with Minnie’s and sabots. Look forward to seeing your rifle.

Just edited my post to add twist rate, which appears to be about 1:96. If I've done this correctly, that means whatever goes out the barrel is not even getting a half turn.. Can that do anything to stabilize the ball?

The 1:96 seems a little slow but it would be far better than a smooth bore.
It should shoot the round balls well.
Now how deep are your grooves.
That will help you decide on the thickness of your patch.
And how tight it needs to be in the barrel.
I like slow twist with deep grooves.
I have had Hoyt re do some barrels and deepen the grooves by doing what he calls Refreshing the rifling.

I once saw an antique Hawken of approximately .63 caliber that had 1-120" twist. The owner said it was typically loaded with over 100 grs of powder and patched ball. He was of the opinion that it would have been used on big game, like elk or bison or bear.

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Originally Posted by LAGS

The 1:96 seems a little slow but it would be far better than a smooth bore.
It should shoot the round balls well.
Now how deep are your grooves.
That will help you decide on the thickness of your patch.
And how tight it needs to be in the barrel.
I like slow twist with deep grooves.
I have had Hoyt re do some barrels and deepen the grooves by doing what he calls Refreshing the rifling.

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I like slow twist - dont like deep rifling - I reckon CVA had it perfect (8 thou?) - Green Mountain too deep (12 thou +)

1:96 twist ? stoke it! --- it should do well with hefty charges.

The British gunmakers would often use a very slow twist for the express rifles. 1/120 or slower, patched round ball and 100+ grains of sporting grade black powder allowed them a relatively flat trajectory. The idea being to allow the hunter to extend his range.

Kevin

You will need to use a heavy charge of powder behind a patched round ball. I had a .62 barrel made, with 1-120" twist. It took 180 gr. 2ff to make it shoot well. I would bet you will be in the 120-130 gr. range.

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Originally Posted by waksupi

You will need to use a heavy charge of powder behind a patched round ball. I had a .62 barrel made, with 1-120" twist. It took 180 gr. 2ff to make it shoot well. I would bet you will be in the 120-130 gr. range.

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Ohhhh! My shoulder! I will shoot t once though.

If you only try to shoot that 180 gr load only Once.
How are you going to see if it Groups well.

Apparently no one here has shot a muzzleloader like this.
My deer rifle is a 50 caliber flintlock with a 1 in 95 inch twist, round bottom rifling. 75 grains of 3F with a patched (not very tight) .490 round ball gives 3 inch groups at 100 yards.
Plenty good for deer.

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Originally Posted by curdog007

Apparently no one here has shot a muzzleloader like this.
My deer rifle is a 50 caliber flintlock with a 1 in 95 inch twist, round bottom rifling. 75 grains of 3F with a patched (not very tight) .490 round ball gives 3 inch groups at 100 yards.
Plenty good for deer.

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The twist I mentioned is capable of that group at double the distance. That was/is the purpose of the Express Rifle.


Kevin

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Originally Posted by StrawHat

The twist I mentioned is capable of that group at double the distance. That was/is the purpose of the Express Rifle.


Kevin

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I thought the "Express Rifle" was for when things got up close and personal ?

Slow twist for heavy (round ball) loads has always been accepted logic. Some slow barrels do take a substantial charge to get best accuracy

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Originally Posted by indian joe

I thought the "Express Rifle" was for when things got up close and personal ?

Slow twist for heavy (round ball) loads has always been accepted logic. Some slow barrels do take a substantial charge to get best accuracy

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The express cartridge or muzzle loading rifles, single or double barreled, were a light for caliber bullet (in this case round ball) at higher than usual velocities to flatten the trajectory. Useful for close to long range.

Dangerous game rifles were heavy for caliber bullets at normal velocity. Used close up to closer.

Kevin

Please see my new thread, "What Is It?" for photos.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StrawHat

The express cartridge or muzzle loading rifles, single or double barreled, were a light for caliber bullet (in this case round ball) at higher than usual velocities to flatten the trajectory. Useful for close to long range.

Dangerous game rifles were heavy for caliber bullets at normal velocity. Used close up to closer.

Kevin

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both definitions been applied about equally
express calibre ---a la winchester - 50/110 express etc - yes light for calibre boolit
express rifle ---in african parlance gets you a heavy calibre dangerous game gun - a double rifle for up close and personal - no intent at long range here !