1-38 twist suggestions

[jbaker]

I have an old t/c thunderhawk 1-38 twist I got on a trade years ago. Never shot it. I decided to cut 4" off the barrel. I shot 6 shots after the cut job, all at 50 yds.

3 shots with 100 gr Pyro rs and Hornady 240gr hp xtp in harvester sabot.

3 shots with 95 gr Pyro rs and Hornady 240 gr hp xtp in harvester sabot

The 95 grains of Pyro rs grouped better as seen in the pics.

Would like to know any others that have good loads for a 1-38 twist.

Thank you

J








J

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I think you ought to try 80, 85, and 90 grains too.

 

[jbaker]

Thank you! I forgot to mention, its a .44 cal bullet. Am I on the right track with that bullet?

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Sure looks like it. I would definitely want to see 80 thru 95 grains at 100yds. I suggest trying 200gr(.44 or .45cal) bullets with same loads(80-100) 1:38 is a good twist rate but not common now.

 

[jbaker]

Thanks again!

 

[Scotts98rt]

Tc reccomend that 80gr was most accurate with 200-240 gr bullets. I run 80 to 100 grain 2fg black powder and all 6 of my 50 cal thunderhawk carbines. I get no accuracy difference, so I run 100gr with 240 or 200 grain xtp in tc break o way sabots. 44 cal by the way.

 

[deermanok]

I would suggest a different powder if that's an option for you.
Pyrodex P or Select or even Triple 7, 2f or 3f.

 

[Pymahunter1]

I’ve tried a few different loads in my Thunderhawk and the most accurate is a 230 grain lehigh cf in a crush rib sabot over 95 grains of 2f 777.

 

[BlackSmoke]

Tc reccomend that 80gr was most accurate with 200-240 gr bullets. I run 80 to 100 grain 2fg black powder and all 6 of my 50 cal thunderhawk carbines. I get no accuracy difference, so I run 100gr with 240 or 200 grain xtp in tc break o way sabots. 44 cal by the way.

great thread. I have two Fox Ridge Outfitters custom shop barrels that are both 1:38. I also just bought 700 44 caliber pistol bullets 200, 240, and 300 grain. lastly I have 200 new in the bag of those old vintage break-a-way sabots to try. Can't wait for spring to shoot these.

 

[jbaker]

Thanks for all the advice.

I just went out this morning to shoot. Less wind today than before, but cold.


Distance lasered at 46yds.


First group: first shot was on clean barrel.
100gr Pyrodex RS
Hornady 240gr HP XTP
Harvester smooth green sabot



Second group:
100gr Pyrodex RS
Hornady 200gr HP XTP
Harvester crushed rib sabot



Third group: Didn't think this bullet would work as well for the length vs twist rate???
100gr Pyrodex RS
Hornady 250gr SST
Harvester crushed rib sabot (interestingly enough, the fired sabot petals were flat, while the others for above groups were not)

Maybe if I pushed this bullet faster it would group a little better???




My main concern was that I damaged the barrel when I cut it off. It seems ok with the right load.

J

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Looks pretty good with that crushrib and 200xtp and you've obviously done a good job on the muzzle.

 

[BlackSmoke]

uhhhh......yeh....if that was my rifle I would be done with load development lol. that second group would work really well for me if it was my rifle. good shooting.

 

[Confederate rifleman]

You're one caliber too low. Move up to .45 in a 1-38.
I have a Firehawk and a Thunderhawk. Both out shoot any 1-28 I've had.
I use 70 grains of 3f Swiss Holy Black, lit with #11 caps for the following projectiles, velocities chrono'd, not guessed.
230 grain .45 cal Hornady XTP in a Harvester sabot. Solid 1 1/2" for 3 at 100. Smallest group was 5/8". 1630 fps.
250 grain Hornady XTP in a Harvester crush rib sabot ( needs a 1-49 twist) 1575 fps. Usually 1 to 1 1/2" for 3 at 100. Smallest was 5/16"
300 gr non mag 45 xal Hornady XTP in a Harvester crush rib sabot ( needs a 1-39 1/2 twist) solid inch to 1 1/4 for 3 at 100. Smallest , 1/2". 1500 fps.
Lyman 400 grain plains conical, lubed with SPG and with a .54 cal Ox Yoke lubed wad over powder. 1350 fps. Solid 1 1/2 to 2" for 3 at 100.
Smallest was 1 inch.
My Firehawk is the 24 inch and is aperture sighted. These results are from that rifle. My, now my daughter's, 22 inch Thunderhawk, chrono'd 1550 fps with the 250 grain XTP with comparable accuracy.
My Firehawk has given me the largest collection of inch or less 3 shot 100 yard groups than ANY rifle I've ever owned, breech or muzzleloader, and regardless of sights. 52 groups and counting...Calico, that's her name, is just phenomenal.
Your Thunderhawk is a very fine rifle. Have FUN with it!

 

[ported45]

Just adding another data point:

My 24" Thunderhawk shot the best with 90 grains Goex FFg and a .430 300 grain XTP in a Break-O-Way sabot. Three shots through a single hole at 100 yards as long as I was cleaning between shots.

That was my go-to load from my Scout all the way up to the Black Diamond XR. With the Black Diamond I switched over to 777 and using the T/C black .429 sabots with the same bullet. Later switched over to the Gold Dot 270 FP with the same accuracy.

 

[brad502a]

My 54 TH shoot 275 g barnes and 100g T7 3F into 1.5" at 100yds.

 

[jbaker]

I did a little more shooting today using different powder and bullets all at 50yds with the 38 twist thunderhawk.

Group 1
100gr black mz
hornady .44 265gr ftx
harvester smooth sabot
#10 cap



Group 2
105gr black mz
harnady .44 265gr ftx
harvester smooth sabot
#10 cap



Group 3
105gr black mz
pr dead center .44
harvester smooth sabot




I am not sure I have seen the sabots cup on the bottom to this extreme before?

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I did a little more shooting today using different powder and bullets all at 50yds with the 38 twist thunderhawk.

Group 1
100gr black mz
hornady .44 265gr ftx
harvester smooth sabot
#10 cap



Group 2
105gr black mz
harnady .44 265gr ftx
harvester smooth sabot
#10 cap



Group 3
105gr black mz
pr dead center .44
harvester smooth sabot




I am not sure I have seen the sabots cup on the bottom to this extreme before?

Im seeing that when i get near max loads on my shorter barrel guns. I also start to see a little unburnt powder on the snow around the same time. I would back off the powder when that happens. You might see better groups and less blowout on the sabots. 5 grains may make a big dif

 

[Scotts98rt]

Try 80gr by volume.

 

[jbaker]

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the help and advice.

 

[jlynch75]

I use Nosler full jack hollow points 245gr. Shot great and cost less than XTPs.