Rate of twist variances.

[JeffinNZ]

Hi

Why do the rates of twist in modern lever actions in pistol calibres vary so much?

I have seen .38/.357 twists of 1 in 20 and .44-40's at 1-38. Surely they should all be in the slower areana ie: 1 in 30 something.

cheers

Jeff

[Dale53]

S&W revolvers were 18.75" twist for years (may still be for all that I know). I much prefer the faster twists (within reason). The .444 was crippled for years with a 1 in 38" twist which wouldn't stabilize heavier bullets that the case could easily use. 1 in 38 is absolutely ridiculous but was standard in the .444 (go figure).

Dale53

[beagle]

What a subject...... So many twists in so many different rifles.

For years, manufacturers have looked at SAMMI specs and went with the old twists. As a result we have rifles out there that won't shoot cast bullets as well as they should.

The .44 Magnum is a fine example. 1-38 twist for most of it's life until Winchester decided to go with 1-26 and they had a shooter. The older MG Marlin 1-38 twists wouldn't handle cast very well (speaking of two that I had). The .444 wouldn't handle heavy bullets either and that was it's downfall. Then, Marlin got smart and made ballard rifled .45/70s and .444s with 1-20 twists and all of a sudden, they had shooters with bullets up over 300 grains.

Then, there's the fast twist .25/35s with their 1-8 twists. Don't like light bullets.

So, its a matter of preference with the manufacturers. They decline to talk with the shooters and end up shooting themselves in the foot as all shooters don't like to shoot that nasty copper covered crap...they want lead.

So, it's a matter of finding the correct twist for your application. If you shoot jacketed, go with factory. If you want to shoot cast, ask here and see what kind of twists us cast bullet shooters are using for what bullets. Even we don't agree all of the time but its much better than shooting in the dark so to speak./beagle

[9.3X62AL]

That 1:38" twist dates from the days of the 44 Henry Flat and 44-40 WCF with 200 grain short/fat boolits. It's just a little quicker than a good roundball twist, and does all right with the 200 grainers at 1200 FPS--at least, in my '73 x 44-40. A 1:20" twist is likely a better all-around twist rate for most lever-guns in handgun calibers, and wouldn't hurt the 45-70 or 444 a bit either. I believe my Ruger #1 x 45-70 has a 1:20" pitch, and has done good work with boolit weights of 300-550 grains. It's an 8-groove, .449" x .459" that looks to be half-bore/half-groove.

[JeffinNZ]

Thanks guys.

So if I wanted to shoot a .44-40/.45LC with 200-250gr cast bullets what twist should I look for?

OR should I buy a clunker and rebarrel it to 'X' twist?

cheers

J

[felix]

Winchester finally has the twist right in the newer lever guns for the 44 and 45s. 26 twist. ... felix

[floodgate]

Winchester finally has the twist right in the newer lever guns for the 44 and 45s. 26 twist.

....or DID, until they quit making them!

floodgate