Bullet selection with Hoyt .577" barrel 1 in 60 twist

**Jim Wimbish, 10395** · 06-12-2013

I am thinking about trying a different bullet for my Hoyt 1 in 60 twist 2 band rifle. What bullets have you had good success with and are there others that just didn't work well for you? I seem to be having the best luck with the longer 510 grain bullets ( Rapine mould). Curious to know if the shorter bullets work just as well. I am going to stick to the minie style bullets, no Wilkinsons. I use about 42 grains of Goex 3f with the 510 grain minie.

Thanks,

**ian45662** · 06-12-2013

I have the same set up. 1:60 577 hoyt. When I got it origionaly I sighted it in so that I would shoot the 510 grain minie @ 50 and 100 yards with a dead center hold. At one shoot I was running out of ammo so someone let me use some 315 semi wadcuters that were the same size and same 40 grain charge I was using with the 510s As luck would have it they shot just as good maybe even better at 50 and to beat all they hit 2" higher. So that means if I hold at the bottom of the bird it will hit dead center. If its really windy I shoot the 510 and hold right on. I shoot the 315 at 50 and the 510 at 100. This combo has worked extreamly well for me.

**ms3635v** · 06-12-2013

Jim try using an RCBS 500M. I was using it in my Whitacre barreled Zouave with great results. The 500M has a lot of bearing surface and shoots very well...they weigh out at about 520 grains with good, soft, lead. Not using the bullet now because I am now using a Wilkinson that shoots tighter groups.

**Rich Foster** · 06-12-2013

Jim, If you can find one Rapine International minnie. 455 grn minnie. 47grn fff goex, 1-60 Hoyt twist. A really good 100yd bullet. Been shooting it for 6 years. Said good bye to all none minnies. Did try 510 minnie and shot very well but it felt like launching a bowling ball. The slightly shorter and lighter but thick skirt International Minnie grouped better at 100yds with less recoil. A bullet Moose Moulds would do good if they made one. Hint,Hint. Of course you know all lighter bullets will do good at 50 but it is the heavier minnie that will hold up at 100yds with and without wind. Rich

**ian45662** · 06-12-2013

I will have to try the international. After shooting the 315s at 50 it does feel like I am shooting bowling balls when I switch to the 510s for 100. When I was pondering what I wanted when I was trying to figure out what musket I wanted to build someone recomended that I ask for the 1:60 when I ordered my barrel from hoyt. I think from what we are seeing that Rate of twist will shoot just about anything. I restored a 63 springfield for my wife. 33" 1:60 and it shoots like a champ also. 40 grains for my 50 and 100 yard load. 315 for 50 and 510 for 100. 1:60 is probably all I will ever use for the 33" stuff

Ron/The Old Reb · 06-13-2013

I also shoot the International Minne in my Hoyt relined Zouave with 45grs. 3F Goex. Shoots really well at 50 & 100 yards.

**Jim Mulligan 7288V** · 06-13-2013

I shoot the International (Brooks) 430g with 40ffg. Works very well. This bullet is great, lighter recoil and Burton (hi Phil) design.

**Jim Wimbish, 10395** · 06-13-2013

I didn't want to give it away in my original post, but I am experiencing some odd behavior with a .576 Rapine International with this particular gun. Most of the shots are extremely accurate but I get one every now and then that seems to inexplicably go right of the point of aim. I can normally call my shots, but some of these have left me scratching my head. I don't notice the problem with the heavier 510 minie and I'm going to try the Hodgon as well as some bullets cast with a .580 Rapine International mould that I have . I suspect that the bullet isn't always grabbing the rifling the way that it should and that a .578 Rapine International sized down would not have the same problem. I have a .577 barrel and I am sizing the bullets to .576.

Thanks for your replies.