54 cal FL projectile suggestions

[nekshot]

I have this 54 barrel for a flinter now and I have no expierence with a 54. What economical projectiles are recommended for 26 inch barrel with 1x48 twist? I assume a 530 RB mold to be correct, what about the Lee real in 54 and any others? I just realised the idiot buyers are cleaning shelves and I have nothing for a 54 so I need to order something.

[Bullshop]

I did a custom design 54 cal especially for the 1/48" twist. I used the online design program at Mountain Molds to get as much boolit as possible and stay within the limits of the twist. It runs about 420gn
I also had a veriety of sizers made so I can accomidate about any bore diameter within reason.
PM if yoyr interested in getting some.

[waksupi]

It is sacrilegious to shoot anything but a round ball in a flintlock.

[Gray Fox]

In my 1:48 .54 TC Hawken the original Maxi Balls that I cast of pure lead shoots clover leafs at 50 yards from a bag rest if I do my part. That's with 80 grains of Pyrodex RS---I know, I know, but I just after about 10 years got some KIK powder to try out. That said, I'm not expecting it to shoot any worse with black. .530 round balls shoot just as well at the same distance.

My short Lyman Deer Stalker .50 flinter with a 1:48 twist shoots my cast Maxi Balls just as well with KIK fffg as its big brother does with Pyro. With the first 10 shots I ever fired with the rifle I had it shooting that well, so I guess I better hang on to it.

Oh, just happened to think that these groups were with the TC peep sights on both rifles. I learned with an aperture sight on an M-14 in the 60s and my Social Security eyes still work well with one. Hope this helps. GF

[Odinbreaker]

T C Maxi Or a Lee R>E>A>L bullet I use

[fouronesix]

Don't know what you mean by economical, since all MLs are pretty economical and not much difference among loads. You can use one of the Lee RB molds at about $20 each. .530 ticking patched RB with about 75 gr BP. One experiment for accuracy may be .535 RB with thinner patch 75 gr BP. Get some BP in quantity at about $15/pound. Larger initial mold investment would be one of the non-Lee conicals or minies but then the per-shot cost wouldn't be much different.

[Marvin S]

Most economical for sure is the good old round ball. If you want to shoot a boolit through it try the lighter weight REAL from LEE, it has worked well for me in a 1-48 T/C Renegade. Plus the mold is cheap and ready to go.

[drhall762]

I have just aquired a Great Plains FL in .54. I believe it is a 1 in 60 twist or such. I think the PRB is about my only option. Think it should be more than enough for these Eastern White Tails as long as I can place the ball on target.

[nekshot]

Waksupi, I am getting there slowly. I now only shoot the real bp and I am sure till all is said and done I will be a Big Ball shooter also!

[SchuetzenMiester]

About 20 years ago I tried a .54 TC maxi in my Green Mountain barrel, flinter of course ;-) I don't remember if the twist was 60 or 72, but they shot good enough for hunting elk our to 100 yds. I do not remember the exact group size, but it it weren't 4", I wouldn't have considered it good enough for hunting.

Just for kicks, I tried shooting round ball at 200. I was surprised they grouped about 12".

[Good Cheer]

I have just aquired a Great Plains FL in .54. I believe it is a 1 in 60 twist or such. I think the PRB is about my only option. Think it should be more than enough for these Eastern White Tails as long as I can place the ball on target.

Have successfully shot the Lyman thick skirted traditional minie in the GPR flinter with heavy loads to see how it could behave. It was fun (which is the whole point).

[Lead Fred]

It is sacrilegious to shoot anything but a round ball in a flintlock.

With a 1/48 barrel he is gonna be stuck with conicals, 1/60-1/66 is ideal for roundball.

When some numb nuts decided to make MLs like modern rifles, the art was lost.

They made them so those that are not in the know, will waste their hard earned dough, on an inferior firearm.

[fouronesix]

I can think of two quite famous American muzzleloaders from the 1820s-40s that had 48" twist. One was standard 54 cal and in the other 54 cal was common.

[Boogieman]

1in 48 twist will shoot RB . use a tight ball/patch fit & slow powder ffG .you can not load as heavy with a fast twist start low work up till the groups tighten up . when they start to open up again you have found your load.