Slow Twist .40? (1-66)

[Daryl]

Had a client shoot a grouse up in a tree, with a .32 TC rifle, using 25gr. 3F, seems to me.  That shot opened the grouse up like a book and it was all there, except for the breast meat - that was gone.
 
 So- you need to hit them in the head, whether grouse, squirrel or rabbit.  A .36, with a bag hit, will open a snowshoe hare up like that as well. Imagine what a .40 will do. I see a .40 as a squirrel rifle, up to coyote/wolf rifle, within reasonable range, that is.

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thanks, gang. I’ve read accounts of people using these slow twist Douglas .40 barrels with as little as 25 grains and getting cloverleaf out to 25 yards.

As one person said, it’s seems “the slow twist on these allows a higher powder charge, but doesn’t require it”.

So, it seems I’m probably just fine. Once I get the rifle in hand I’ll check the twist just to see, but as you all have mentioned I should probably just hold on to it and see.

[little joe]

Many yrs ago I was shooting at a match with a friend and we got to the 100 yd match.  NMLRA 100 yd , 6 inch black bull, 5 shots  offhand match, we practice I,m in the 30,s and he is around 40-42 and he says I ,m  posting for score as I can do better as I know where  to hold now.We shoot and I,m still at 30,s and he shoots a 44. Now pay attention, his gun, 44 inch long Douglass bbl. 32 cal. one in 66 twist .313 ball and .016 ticking over 35 grs powder and no wind. Do not underestimate what your gun will do until you  try it Above story Yellow Banks in S. Indiana 1983

[Ghillie]

Don't knock your 66 twist rifle. I had one in a .40 and one in a .32.  Both shot great with little or lots of powder.  I varied the load on the distance I was shooting.  Use 30 grains in the .32 at 25 and 50 yards and 60 at 100 yards.  Both of those loads held center at their respective distances.  I won my first 1st place ribbon in a match at 100 yards with the .32 and 60 grains.  Shot a groundhog through the head at 125 yards with 70 grains.  The slow twist should not be a problem, but a plus if you want to shoot a heavier load.  My .40 had similar experiences.  I didn't keep it  too long as the .32 filled the bill in a squirrel rifle and I felt the .40 was a little light for deer.

[Mike from OK]

Had a client shoot a grouse up in a tree, with a .32 TC rifle, using 25gr. 3F, seems to me.  That shot opened the grouse up like a book and it was all there, except for the breast meat - that was gone.
 
 So- you need to hit them in the head, whether grouse, squirrel or rabbit.  A .36, with a bag hit, will open a snowshoe hare up like that as well. Imagine what a .40 will do. I see a .40 as a squirrel rifle, up to coyote/wolf rifle, within reasonable range, that is.

Yep, squirrels get a little tough to skin if you put a .310 ball through the rib cage... Unless you have a buddy then you can each work on half.

Mike

[Daryl]

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

This is a lovely forum. You guys sure know how to help a guy out and put him at ease.

This Thanksgiving, I’ll be thankfully thanking my friends here!!

[Ghillie]

My experiences over the past 30 years with the .32 is that for squirrels you want head shots or behind the front legs, through the rib cage.  A head shot eliminates most of the head.  A shot through the rib cage puts a .32 caliber hole on both sides and an instant dead squirrel.  As hot that hits front leg or rear leg bones essentially causes that part of the squirrel to be unusable.  The .32 has a lot more devastating power than most people want to believe.  If it were legal here in WV, I'd have no real problem killing a deer with one.  Also works well on turkeys.

[Bart]

My .40 cal Douglas is from the mid to late 70's and its a 1:66" twist. Shoots one-hole groups with anything I shoot in it.. Doesn't matter 2F or 3, under .395" round ball and tight fitting patch. I use exclusively Dynamit Nobel caps for the most consistent ignition...

Bart

[Smokey Plainsman]

My .40 cal Douglas is from the mid to late 70's and its a 1:66" twist. Shoots one-hole groups with anything I shoot in it.. Doesn't matter 2F or 3, under .395" round ball and tight fitting patch. I use exclusively Dynamite Nobel caps for the most consistent ignition...

Bart

Good to hear, Bart!

Even low charges group well? Have your tried anything in the 25-40 grain range?

[Bart]

PM Sent.

[Bassdog1]

I would not be the least worried about that 1 in 66. Bet you will be amazed at how well it shoots with a few hours on the range developing a load. As for squirrels I only shoot enough for myself as the wife doesn't eat them so I only take head shots with the 32 or 36 as I am not real concerned about shooting a limit. A couple of them makes a big meal for me and if I happen to miss a shot another one will show up soon enough.

[wolf]

that 40 will shoot better than we can. mine has a rice barrel, with 30gr. of goex it will shoot one hole at 40 yds. ,,,,,,,,,,,

[Roger B]

The GAA Douglas barrels are 1 in 48" but I like the 1 in 66" better. With just a bit more powder you get a gun that shoots flatter than a 48" twist which means less elevation doing past 50-75yds . I have a Douglas 1 in 48" .54 that is a great shooter, but seems to max out at 80grs FFFg. It hates FFg for some reason that I've never understood.
Roger B.

[Daryl]

Yes - that is strange, Roger.

[WadePatton]

We still don't know if Mr. Plainsman's new gun is actually 66".  It's not stated in the description beyond "slow twist" and he's not measured it AFIK.

[Smokey Plainsman]

Hoping to measure it tonight when I pick up the rifle from Fedex.

[hanshi]

I've never given much thought to ROT as long as the rifling depth was sufficient.  My .54 has a ROT of 1-66" and shoots heavy & powderpuff loads equally well; which reads "super", okay?  A Crockett I owned shot well with most any powder charge but was usually fed 30 grains of 3F.  That rifle killed a lot of squirrels with that load.  One thing I noticed was that any hit on a squirrel between the shoulder and hindquarters simply made a tiny hole going in and out.  I even recall shooting a big fox squirrel in the neck with a .58 prb, 1-66", (I was deer hunting) and creating a tiny slit both in and out.

[oldtravler61]

  Smokey I have three rifles. 32 - 36 -an 40 caliber all flint all Douglas barrels. I shoot lite loads in all of them an some medium loads up to 55-70 grains. All very accurate ..!  Never ever had a problem with Douglas barrels..!I like 35 grains in my 32.. It works is all I know..!!
  What works for me might not work for others. But that's half the fun...

Oldtravler

[Smokey Plainsman]

  Smokey I have three rifles. 32 - 36 -an 40 caliber all flint all Douglas barrels. I shoot lite loads in all of them an some medium loads up to 55-70 grains. All very accurate ..!  Never ever had a problem with Douglas barrels..!I like 35 grains in my 32.. It works is all I know..!!
  What works for me might not work for others. But that's half the fun...

Oldtravler

Great to hear that, thanks!!

[Dan]

Round ball shooters don't need twist for gyroscopic stability, but benefit from equal distribution of loads generated by small aerodynamic flaws.  Primary reason is that CG and CP for a roundball are the same.

My 66" twist .45 with 35 grains of 3FG at 50 yards, offhand.

[Daryl]

I miss shooting B-27 targets.

[Smokey Plainsman]

Well, yall, I don’t think I need to worry too much:





Shot the gun for the first time at 30 paces (about 25 yards) which I figured would be a good “squirreling range”. Took five shots with 35 grains and ticking cut at muzzle, .395 Hornadys, she’ll shoot guys very pleased. Now I just have to get the sights dialed in.

[msellers]

Very nice, think you would kill a squirrel with that.
Mike

[Dave A]

Nice group!
Were does one find squirrels in country like that?