Colerain .54 barrels

[Ted Kramer]

I'm considering using a .54 cal. Colerain  barrel for a transitional style rifle I plan to build. I have used their .50 caliber barrels in other rifles and the 1-56" twist worked well for that caliber. Having never used one of their .54 barrels, how does the 1-56" twist do in that caliber? No doubt some of you have used them and hopefully could share some results or comments. Thanks in advance.

Ted K

[54Bucks]

 I had the same concerns about Colerains twist rate myself compared to the other makers.But they were unfounded.My Colerain .54 shoots pretty well.I'm still wringing it out but it will cloverleaf @ 25 yds. and group near 1 1/2" @ 100 with a loose patch/ball combo.

[Stonewall Creek]

i sell them and i also have two i hunt with one is a 38in gain twist it shoots great the other is 42in 54cal 1in56 and with .530 ball .018 pillow ticking and 85 grains powder lube 1000 loads great and shoots good at 100yd it will shoot all the way through a deer the gain twist will not right now i have these on sale.

[billd]

Hi Troy,  welcome aboard, I'm looking forward to more of your expert advice.
Bill

[Pete G.]

I built a transitional rifle with that same barrel. Any reasonably fitting patch and ball combination shoots well, regardless of powder charge from light to heavy. I even shoots with decent accuracy with a less than optimul patching. I had some .010" patches that would load with finger pressure in the muzzle. The fired patches were burnt and frayed, but the load still shot into about 2" @ 50 yds.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I have a 42-inch .54 Colerain in D-weight.  While I have yet to find a load that will punch cloverleafs at 100 yards, it is an extremely easy-to-please barrel. 

Any charge from 70 to 110 grains of Swiss FFg seems to make decent groups.  I'm sure there's a sweet spot in there somewhere, but I'm looking mostly for hunting accuracy.  I don't spend a lot of time shooting from the bench.

My sight is set for hunting charges and I have to hold a little high for plinking charges.

[Ray Nelson]

Ted,

Colerain barrels are really accurate...have a .54 (Jaeger lngth)and .58 (44 ")both in flint and are easy to load as well. Like the round bottom grooves and deep rifling.

Give a call if want to discuss sometime!

Ray

[Ted Kramer]

Hi Ray, good to see you're still alive and kicking up in the north country.

I remember seeing your Jaeger .54 one time when you were here, nice rifle.

I had a great shooting rifle with a .50 x 42" Colerain on it but someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse so it's no longer mine.

I have a "D" weight 38" coming in .54 caliber so hopefully I can get at that yet this winter.

I'm thinking of a m/l woods walk here late April but I tore my shoulder up so I don't know what lies ahead as far as  shooting or building. Can always watch the rest of you shoot I suppose.

Ted

[Ray Nelson]

Ouch! Is it a torn rotator cuff? I did that to my left shoulder several years ago and the best therapy for me was getting in the shop and using the vise. It was the exercise that truly helped!

My trail walk is still in place believe it or not and occasionally take a turn at it. Mary would like to see me host another now that she's retired.

I used a Colerain 58 ,1 1/8 dia. to build a Bridger hawken for a frequent cutomer this fall. Got it together and shot it at Club shoot in mid October. Didn't bench or any thing and first 3 shots at 25 yds OH were almost same hole shooting 80, 90, and 100 grains. The gun was about 11 pounds so it was steady for sure once I got it hefted.

I think the 38" D weight will be a perfect balance for you. My Jaeger lngth 54 is great for hunting but not muzzle heavy enough for any serious Flint target shooting. What lock are you going to use?
Ray

[Ted Kramer]

I haven't been to see the orthopedic dude yet so I'm not sure what it is.

I'll either use the Davis Early Colonial or Chambers Christian Springs lock. I'll stop in at Elk River one day and compare them side by side.

Hey, I'd like to see you host another trail walk too. You have the perfect place for it.

Take care and Happy New Year to you and your family!
Ted

[Ray Nelson]

Get that shoulder checked...I waited like 4 months before seeing a Dr. and wish I hadn't.

Take a look at the L&R Jaeger lock and Davis Tulle as well. I've used them a couple times now. The Jaeger is round faced and a bit smaller with a little shorter throw which consequently I believe helps get quicker ignition, thus better accuracy. The bigger locks usually have too much travel distance to the frizzen for my likes. I always knap my flints to get as close to the frizzen as is possible at safety to shorten the travel time.

I have the Davis lock in use with that rifled .58 Colerain barrel mounted in a Fusil de Chasse stock with a modified trigger guard for a better grip and I'm very happy with it's lock time and the accurcy I've been able to get OH.

Anyways, you have a good New Years too! We plan to get in touch with WCY and Sally one day in near future and set up a visit to catch up on all news. We'll have to get together too some time. Way behind in doing so the past few years.

Ray

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I have a southern colonial fantasy  rifle with a Colerain .54X44" which shoots just fine. Took a deer a couple of years ago at 125 yards with 80gr fffg. I have it coneed and use a .525 rb with .18 canvas patch..... took one the next year at 10 yards......left powder burns on the buck!!!!!!