Best twist for 54 and 58 RCBS/Hodgdon minie?

[Kevin Tinny]

Hello:

Have seen comments about twists for the relatively stubby, semi-wadcutter RCBS/Hodgdon "minie" ranging from 56" to 66" to even 72".

What is the OPTIMUM twist for 54 and 58 with medium, 40gr - 60gr 3Fg, powder charges, please?

Reason being, I have a custom barrel in 58 that CLEARLY measures as 66" twist, yet the underside of the breech is distinctly marked 1 - 56! The bore is multi-groove, constant depth.

Maybe 10 inches difference in twist is not material for the RCBS/Hodgdon.

The prior owner, a respected fellow and fine shot, assured me that it shot well.
Haven't been to the range yet. Just got the mold and am awaiting the sizing die.

Am also considering a finished rifle in 54 from the same maker, but don't yet know its twist.


Thanks,
Kevin Tinny
13667, 42nd NY

[jonk]

I never measured the rate of twist in mine, but it is stamped 1:56, at any rate; it likes 48 gr of 3f.

I've shot it out of everything from 1:48 to 1:66 and it did fine in all of them. Seems to be a very forgiving bullet.

[Bruce Cobb 1723V]

The old stand bye for the wadcutter has always been to start at 36 for 3f and 42 for 2f with twists from 1-48 to 1-60. Never any need to go over 50 grains to get a group.