Is there a twist limit for a muzzleloader? Could you use a 10:1 barrel in a muzzleloader rifle?
Sandro
In my opinion in 45 caliber 16 twist is the fastest twist that makes sense for what we're doing.the limiting factor being sabot use.
Best accuracy is generally obtained when the bullets are not over rotated. I believe there comes a point that over rotation can rip bullets apart from centrifugal forces.
We're running soft jackets and lead cored bullets necessary for our application.
Also any imbalance in the bullet itself leads to gyroscope instability that is exasperated the faster the spin. Not even considering the added spin drift in long range shooting.
My opinion comes after taking indepth with my barrel maker who i have a long term relationship with going back 15 years of building competition rifles and pistols.
The most accurate builds I've seen have matched the twist to the target bullet weight and length. Length being the determining factor for twist
So for me 16 is the fastest I'm looking at right now with the availible bullets on the market.
Is it the optimum twist not sure yet shows promise lots of tests left to do.
There is much evidence to point to 18 twist being very good for all scenarios plastic and bore riders.
If I found "the bullet " I'd optimize the twist for that specific bullet profile.
Popular practice is to find a bullet your rifle likes. I like to target a bullet for my purpose and optimize the build around that goal.
I'm a little different in my approach but it has worked for me over the years
Looking at centerfire 458 rifles most top out at 14 twist for upto 500 grain bullets.
Don't think we need 10 twist. The historical evidence in internal balistics don't really support that much spin.
Bare in mind manufacturers pic there twist based rate on the heaviest longest bullet exspected or availibale in that caliber.
Although mid range bullets are often used.
That would do better with slower twists.
An example in bench rest 30 calibers often use short110 to 130 grain bullets at 2700 using 16 to 17 twist rate. These are highly optimized builds targeting a specific bullet from there outset.
John