Odd question for you more experienced frontloader types.
If you have an "in-line" that has the normal twist for shooting conical bullets what type of accuracy can be expected if you shoot patched round balls in it?
Any experiences welcome, theories and opinions abound but I'd really like to hear some tales from real shots instead of bench top hypothesis.
Thanks to all.

Expect issues. So much so that it isn't good for even modest range work. This is with an 50 Encore.

I have a Hawken clone with 1 in 48. The rifle is just as good with conicals as round ball when I am at the trigger.

Fast twist in an in-line was never designed for round balls.

Okay, clue me in... Why does the round ball need such a slow twist? Do they strip in a fast twist barrel and never really engage the lands?

I shot a few roundballs out of my .50 cal TC Omega I had and it shot them decent to 50 yards.

I started this post because we have several H&R muzzleloaders .50 cal. that are 1 in 28 twist. So far I'm not finding the right bullet /powder combo for them. I've been trying pyrodex 90 to 100 grains with 275 grain Lymans and 295 grain lead HP Powerbelts.
We live and hunt in Colorado so no scopes, no sabots no pellet powder.
Balls, lead bullets, powerbelts, pyrodex, and in-lines are legal.
I've been wondering that maybe roundballs are something I need to try or do I just need to keep trying different amounts of Pyrodex and different styles of bullets?
Anyone have any suggested loadings and bullets?
Remember NO SABOTS.

The load I used in the Omega was a patched roundball with loose 90gr blackpowder under it.

What kind of acuracy are you getting now? Are you having a problem staying on paper at 100 yards or are you looking for dime sized groups.

Are you sure it is the gun/load issue?
Forget about legal for hunting, try to find an accurate saboted load.

Then go back knowing what you and that gun can do. Try different bullets. I would try TC Maxi-hunter. Theorectically, it shouldn't be as accurate as the powerbelt, but I have had decent luck.

Keep trying other bullets.
I think yo
I would try TC Maxi-balls and Maxi-hunters.

I'm having trouble with a paper plate and 50 yards. Using Powerbelts 295 grain, Pyrodex (90 to 100 grains) and 275 grain maxi's.
I would prefer to not do the sabots as they can't be used during my hunt.
Colorado is no sabots, no pellet powder, no scopes.

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I'm having trouble with a paper plate and 50 yards. Using Powerbelts 295 grain, Pyrodex (90 to 100 grains) and 275 grain maxi's.
I would prefer to not do the sabots as they can't be used during my hunt.
Colorado is no sabots, no pellet powder, no scopes.

Something is not right.

Although I have not tried exactly what you are doing, I would think you should be able to stay on a paper plate with a powerbelts or maxi at 50 yards. My experiance with Maxis was still a deer killer at 50 yards.

Using a bench? (I think it is essential when having this kind of issue.)

Using loose powder? (I don't use pelets. I have seen people with issues.)

Have you shot over a chronograph? (This will show issues with the loader or the load.)

ddunn I was shooting from a bench and sandbags. Both my son and I are fairly accomplished centerfire rifle shooters (both capable of shooting .5" groups and better).
We shot 2 different but identical rifles and one was not any better than the other.
I didn't chronograph any of these loads.
For further information it was about 90+ degrees in direct sunlight, light wind, approx. 6,800 ft. elevation.
I'm hoping to shoot again on a cooler day because this just didn't add up with me either.