What twist rate for 50 cal smokeless?

[someguy2800]

Hey guys, I am looking to get a barrel blank to build a 50 cal smokeless muzzleloader. I intend to exclusively shoot sabots from 250-300 grains at moderate velocities, like 2200 fps. What kind of twist rate would be best for this?

 

[ElDiablo]

Been considering the same thing. I’m looking at 22-24 twist

 

[Harley469]

I wouldn't go any higher than 24. My understanding is the lower the twist, the higher BC of the bullet you can use. And there are some awesome .50 bullets out there with super high BC's (Fury, Arrowhead, etc).

 

[ElDiablo]

@Mnt monkey is undertaking a multi-year project to test various .50 barrels. Hopefully he will weigh in. I believe he’s starting with a 1:22.

 

[Mnt monkey]

Be shooting a 22 and a 20 probably by the 1st of the year maybe sooner just as my conclusions with 45 Cal came to the 18th twist and it's versatility, I believe in 50 that the most versatile twist is going to be 20 or 22 but I have to prove that, I believe the fast twist 50 cal is going to solve a lot of my own struggle with 44 cal bullets in the green sabots,, between what is available in 452 and 429 and 458 bullets the choices will be endless and I'm not even considering those Fury 50 cal bullets and other such as Hawk I want to be able to shoot all of the standard 250 grain bullets that we shoot in Black Harvesters off the shelf into less than an inch preferably around a half inch or less and I want to be able to shoot up to a 400 grain Fury or Northern Precision 452 bullet in plastic there are some excellent 458 bullets also my plans are once I find that sweet spot in the twist to turn around and put together another three or four rifles again I don't accept the results of one rifle whether it's mine or someone else's I hope El Diablo and others join me the next few years come on let's make things better!

 

[1874sharpsshooter]

1:24. Proved that to my satisfaction already

 

[someguy2800]

Thanks. Is a 50 cal muzzleloader typically .500” groove diameter like a 500 S&W, or .510” like a 50 bmg or 50-90 sharps?

 

[Mnt monkey]

I'm going to shoot a couple of Douglas barrels both of them are 500-510

 

[capttoddjones]

I'll definitely be helping you in this process Mnt monkey. You have me very interested in this .50 project. When you decide on a twist I will also have a barrel built.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Ive got only two .50s. One is a 1:28” twist(pretty standard), the other is a 1:26” twist. Haven't shot either yet.

 

[Qtip]

Hey guys, I am looking to get a barrel blank to build a 50 cal smokeless muzzleloader. I intend to exclusively shoot sabots from 250-300 grains at moderate velocities, like 2200 fps. What kind of twist rate would be best for this?

I chose a 1 in 22 twist for mine. The 26” barrel gets me 2250 fps with 300 gr XTP bullets with 63grs of RL-7 powder. I don’t think I would go with a faster twist with sabots.
I would have went with a .45 barrel except when I am I am obligated to use a .50 to hunt moose.