square va round bottom rifling

[richs]

What's the difference between round bottom rifling and square bottom rifling in accuracy, ease of loading and ease of cleaning?  Thanks.

[rich pierce]

Common question.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=49340.25

If you play around with the search function a lot of stuff can be found quickly. I usually search in a topic area versus the whole forum. In this case I searched in shooting using “round bottom rifling”

[Smokey Plainsman]

Most folks prefer square, and say that round has a whole host of issues. Have to use an extremely thick patch and tight ball or else fouling is really bad etc. etc.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

My experience is that every barrel will require thorough testing with ball diameter, patch thickness, lube and powder charge, to wring out its best accuracy.  Round bottom rifling is the same as square in that regard.  It's part of the joy of owning and shooting muzzle loading firearms.  I would never reject one or the other simply on the basis of its rifling style.  They all shoot well.  They all clean easily.  I enjoy them all.

[Ky-Flinter]

I rather like round bottom rifling, but also agree with Taylor assessment.  My current deer rifle and match rifle is a .50 caliber with round bottom rifling.  It likes a .490 ball with .018" ticking patch over 65 grains of 2F powder.  It is not difficult to load, doesn't foul excessively (no wiping between shots is needed) and it cleans up easily.  What's not to like?

-Ron