A fast way to measure the twist rate is to use your cleaning rod. Put a tight fitting patch on the jag and start into the bore. Put a piece of masking tape on the rod near the handle. Put a pen mark on the tape and measure the distance from the mark to the muzzle. Push the rod into the bore and stop after 1 revolution. Measure the distance to the muzzle again and subtract from the first measurement. The difference is the twist rate.
I have been handloading 300- and 350-grain bullets for my new H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic, chambered in 45-70; but I haven't been able to get any sort of respectable groups yet at the range. Maybe the rate of twist is too slow for those bullets. I had been assuming that it was 1:20" ; but I did not receive any manual with the rifle, so I am not sure what it is. Does anyone out there know? If it is a slower rate of twist than 1:20", I might have to stick to 400-grain bullets.
Posts: 189 | Location: San Jose, CA | Registered: 02 January 2003
If it's any concillation, my "manual" for my classic is 2 pages long, and doesn't say a word about such nice to know info as "twist rates". It only says things like "don't shoot yourself", and only shoot "properly marked factory ammo", etc., etc... (IE, it's worthless). I will dig deeper later on this week, I think I have it written down somewhere from the old NEF site that Marlin used to run.
Also- you have the twist rate backwards. The faster twists are for the heavier bullets, not the other way around. Mine shoots 400-440 gr cast bullets fine, you just have to mind the tight throat, or have it reamed, or shoot a "bore riding" bullet, or "tapered" bullet. I'm getting the Lyman tapered mold for mine, supposed to shoot like a dream.
Posts: 33 | Location: Arizona | Registered: 03 January 2004
SloPoke: Thanks for straightening me out about the twist rate. If my rifle won't group with shorter/lighter bullets, I guess it can't be because of too slow a twist rate. I suppose I will try the heavier bullets anyway, since the lighter ones don't seem to give accuracy.
Posts: 189 | Location: San Jose, CA | Registered: 02 January 2003
I've had good luck with Meister Cast 405gr. FP bullets in my BC. Neat, 'cause I'm loading with a very mild load (13gr. Unique). I can shoot all day & not get sore, but it still has a nice bit of recoil. Mind you, this is for target & metal plate whacking. Cheap, too! Loner
Posts: 25 | Location: Western New York | Registered: 02 February 2004
Quote: Thanks, guys. Your information was helpful.
SloPoke: Thanks for straightening me out about the twist rate. If my rifle won't group with shorter/lighter bullets, I guess it can't be because of too slow a twist rate. I suppose I will try the heavier bullets anyway, since the lighter ones don't seem to give accuracy.
My Ruger NMo. 1 has a 1/20" twist, and shoots 350 to 420 grain bullets very well. It does not like 300 grainers much, and I haven't tried anything heavier than 420 grain cast bullets in it. To me, a .458" 300-grain bullet is a little low on sectional density for the kind of game a .458 caliber rifle is suited for (things a little bigger than the average whitetail!)
