58 caliber loads?

[Skychief]

Bought a 58 caliber today. * Edited to meet forum rules*

I measure between the lands at .570.  Twist comes in at 1:80".

What powder charges might I expect to need for good roundball accuracy?

Also wonder what deer hunting charge may be needed for shots to 100 yards with no " hold over" needed.

First 58 for me.  Slowest twist of any rifle I've owned also, hence, the questions.

Would like to hear from any 58 caliber shooters/hunters.

Many thanks, Skychief

[Fyrstyk]

My .58 with a 34" barrel and 1:72 twist likes 120 grains of 2f for a patched ball hunting load.  I am 1" high at 50 yards, pretty much dead on at 75 yards and about 1.5-2" low at 100 yards.  Where I hunt, I am lucky to see a deer much beyond 60 yards, so I consider this flat enough for me, besides I tried some heavier loads and they have more recoil than I want to handle and I did not see much improvement in trajectory.

[smylee grouch]

You will probably have to shoot it to find your best grouping load and with a 1-80 twist that load should be what you want.

[Pukka Bundook]

Skychief,

When I got my Mark Silver kit from Jim Chambers, maybe 20 years ago,  (42" barrel ) he recommended 75 grains of 2F, and I found that worked and I stuck with it.  I had been using 120 grs in a .54, but the heavier ball did the work in the .58.
Most shots went right through and I collected very few over the years. Shots to a shade over 100 yards, and close as 20 .

With yours being a bit slower twist, you may need to shove up the powder a bit.  But between 80 grs and the above mentioned 120 grs, you should find a happy load.

[Dave Marsh]

My 58 has a 42" Colerain barrel and a 1:56 twist if I remember correctly.   My load is 80 grains fffg.  Last years deer I shot at 95 yards and it passed all the way through the ribs and one shoulder.   Good luck. 

Dave

[varsity07840]

My .58 has a 1/72 twist and I was never really happy with its accuracy until bumped up the charge to 100 gr of 2F Swiss and went with a .575 ball. Then it all came together. It's strictly a hunting rifle so I'ver never tried any light loads for plinking. With a 1/80 twist, I suspect you're looking at a similar load.

[Daryl]

My .58 with a 34" barrel and 1:72 twist likes 120 grains of 2f for a patched ball hunting load.  I am 1" high at 50 yards, pretty much dead on at 75 yards and about 1.5-2" low at 100 yards.  Where I hunt, I am lucky to see a deer much beyond 60 yards, so I consider this flat enough for me, besides I tried some heavier loads and they have more recoil than I want to handle and I did not see much improvement in trajectory.

I've had a couple slow twist .58's.

The Zouave, with a 72" twist shot best with 120gr. 2F GOEX, while my 66 or 60" twist B. Large barrel didn't shoot

well at 100 yards until I hit 140gr. 2F.  These guns used a .575" ball and .022" denim patch. This was back in the late 1970's.

The Bill Large barrel also shot well with 165gr. 2F and a 675gr. bullet, for 1,375fps.

My two 48" twist .58's shot well with 85gr. 2F(Musketoon) and 100gr. 2f. (Pedersoli Kodiak). In those, I used a .562" ball and .022" denim patch.

[Nessmuck]

Bought a 58 caliber today. * Edited to meet forum rules*

I measure between the lands at .570.  Twist comes in at 1:80".

What powder charges might I expect to need for good roundball accuracy?

Also wonder what deer hunting charge may be needed for shots to 100 yards with no " hold over" needed.

First 58 for me.  Slowest twist of any rifle I've owned also, hence, the questions.

Would like to hear from any 58 caliber shooters/hunters.

Many thanks, Skychief

[Nessmuck]

I have a .562 mold ....I ain't using

[Pukka Bundook]

My mould is also a .562" and shoots Very well with that ball.

[utseabee]

I use a .570 round ball, .022 pillow ticking,  115 of goex ffg, and Lehigh Vally Lube in my Rice barrel. It does not like light loads at all. Every rifle will be different, you'll need to try different loads until you find what your rifle likes. Have fun with it.

[Skychief]

Thanks utseabee for the reply.  I've got a .562 mould now.  I haven't had a chance to do much testing yet.  The few shots I've taken have been a delight to load versus the ..570's  each using the same patch.

Once I kill a turkey, I plan to really wring the rifle and loads out.

Best regards, Skychief

[Daryl]

The first place I always start, if at all possible, is with a .575" ball in a .580" bore. I also use a .020" to .022" denim patch as this combination will ALWAYS

group well with the optimum load.  That load might be 85gr. 2F, 110gr. 2F, 120gr. 2f or 140gr. 2F (4-different .58's with 4 different rifling twists) - but it always

produced the best results - with the proper powder charge- and NEVER burnt, cut or shredded patches.