Kibler's .40 light load accuracy?

[Hungry Horse]

Daryl finally ventured the closest to any kind of answer to this question, when he mentioned the twist rate. If it’s 1in 48” or faster, it should shoot light loads well. But I got a barrel off of this site that is .40 cal. With a slower twist. If you have one of these, the likelihood of it shoot light squirrel loads accurately are not as good.

 Hungry Horse

[Skychief]

True indeed.  A faster twist would benefit a slower ball.

Anyone know the twist rate for the forty caliber barrel in Kibler's kit rifle by chance?

Best regards, Skychief

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'm pretty sure the twist rate of the .40 cal Kilbler rifle is 1:48".  Mine likes 65 gr. FFFg GOEX, .395" pure lead ball and .020" denim patch.  I have a friend who shots a Getz barrelled .40 of 1:48" twist with 40 gr. FFg GOEX and does very well out to 100 yards.  My .40's don't like that load.

[Darkhorse]

My .40 doesn't like 40 grains either. This barrel has always been very picky about what it likes to shoot well. After a few thousand rounds I've got it nailed down pretty well. It likes 30 grains Goex 3fg, lube and patch doesn't seem to make much difference. 40 and 50 grains the groups open up. At 60 grains it shoots real good at 50 yards, but here it requires at least a .018 dense weave patch or the patch disentegrates.
Its' been awhile since I shot 25 grains 3f but if memory serves it shot about like the 30 grain load. Both the 30 and 60 grain loads do exactly what I require from the .40 so I'm satisfied.
All the standard Rice .40 caliber barrels are 1/48, but other twist rates are available at extra cost.

[Daryl]

Use what YOUR rifles tells YOU to use. You are hunting so using some sort of oil or grease. 

I have found oils and greases usually require MORE powder than will shoot well with a water

 based lube - virtually every time, the only exception being my .69.  That rifle has a bit of a large

bore for such small game, however it does shoot 30gr. 2F well enough for breaking bunny heads with those

492gr. balls to about 30yards.   So - if 20gr. 3F or 2f shoots well for you - Eureka!!!!!!!!!! If not, use more until

you get the accuracy you need. There is no short cut and you need the experience with that rifle anyway.