AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: CavSoldier3ACR on August 16, 2017, 08:41:01 AM
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Gentlemen,
I was going to build myself a full stock Hawken when I returned home from my military deployment. I received as a gift, about twenty years ago, a De Haas barrel. It is a 1 inch barrel, 36 inches long and was supposed to be for a Hawken build. It has a 1:72 twist and is .54 caliber. My question that needs some opinions is as follows: will a .54 patched round ball stabilize properly in a 36 inch barrel that has a 1:72 twist?
Thank you,
Ed
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Yes
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Yes with a nice charge of powder.
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Absolutely. You'll probably find best groups will be with heavier charges but it should work fine with lighter ones too.
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I personally would try to avoid using it as you'll have to shoot so much powder. Guys out west and crazy Canadians would go apey over it, The more powder they can stuff down a barrel the happier they are.
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Had Sharon 54 cal. in a Hawken flint for a friend and I test fired It at 100 yd,s on a 6 in black bull target shot a 33 and the bullets were low in a 4in. group and I was delighted at the group. 535 ball .018 patch and 70 grs of 3f. Build it and practice.Offhand I might add.
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De Haas barrel would be a good one. I have several of his barrels from this time frame and they are shooters.
I dont like the rate of twist, and you have been given opinions on that.
Fleener
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Great R.O.T. for a .54. Enjoy!
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I personally would try to avoid using it as you'll have to shoot so much powder. Guys out west and crazy Canadians would go apey over it, The more powder they can stuff down a barrel the happier they are.
Would only use as much powder as the barrel wanted. So - yes - I guess, a 72" twist would like a decent charge, for sure and would make a GREAT hunting rifle for moose, elk and buffalo. 72" .58 barrel I had would not shoot less than 120gr., but was even better with 140gr. 2F. With that load, I was able to print 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards, off bags.
I would expect a .54 with 72" twist to shoot well at 100yards, with 120gr. 2F, a .530" to .535" ball and 10 ounce denim patch - that runs .022" to .0225" thick, compressed hard in calipers. 130gr. to 140gr. 2F might be even better.
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I have a Bob Hoyt .54 caliber barrel with 1:70 twist and I'm getting decent accuracy with .020 patches, .530 lead ball, mink oil lube, and 80 grains of 2F Swiss powder. So far I have not tried more powder, but hope to see what happens with 90 grains or 100 grains soon.
The OP could either build the rifle with the barrel he has or sell it to fund the purchase of a faster twist say 1:56???