[Terry Koupe]

I just realized I posted on the wrong thread...my bad. During the offseason, I think I'll try BP in my Bone Collector. FFg or FFFg??? Reccommended powder charges for PRB, Maxi-ball, Sabots??? I realize my 1:28 twist is for Sabots, but ya gotta try! besides, I would like to get away for Powerbelt-types and sabots, at least for fun-type target stuff. Who knows, I might find a PRB or buffalo bullet type that groups great.

 

[hailstone]

Obtain some of Hornadys sabots for round balls in your in-line. Most RB need a slow twist rate like 1-48 or higher. Supprise how well the sabots work in faster twist in-lines. Either powder will work although the normal usage is FFg in rifle and FFFg in pistol. I started around 50 grains and worked up in ten grain increments. Groups shrink too a point then open up again. Experiment in small increments at that point to obtain best accuracy. A percussion of mine likes 89 grains while a flintlock performs best with 92 grains. Don't know if there still available but at one time Hornady also marketed round balls in various diameters. They had .480, .490 and .495 diameter lead balls. I used my calipers to measure inside bore diameter then subtracted the patch thickness to determine ball diameter needed. That really increased accuracy when I begin using correct diameter balls.

 

[cayugad]

I shoot .490 patched roundball out of my Wolverine. I load 50 grains of 3f powder and that is a very accurate light load. If I were going to shoot black powder in my inlines (and I do) when shooting conicals bullets I shoot 3f. When I shoot sabots I shoot the 2f. Unless the sabots are heavy, then I move up to the 3f because it helps in their acceleration better.

Just swab between shots and you will be fine shooting black powder. I was shooting black powder yesterday out of a fast twist barrel and it did an excellent job. And when I water bath cleaned the rifle at the end of the day, the second patch from the water bath was clean basically.

 

[Terry Koupe]

Thanks, 'zactly' what I need, a starting point.