[bellyup039]

I purchased my flintlock used at a gun store.

It's a TC Renegade 50 cal

How do I find out the twist? Does anyone here know the answer?

Thanks in advance.

(the reason I ask, is)

I have been shooting Powerbelt 245 gr and getting what I think are good results. Approx 5 in groups at 50 yds.

So I was told by some friends at the range that my twist is too fast for me to accurately shoot round balls. I purchased round balls and prelubed patches .10 patches and shot them the other day.
I was only able to obtain about a 6 inch group at 25 yds with a rest.
Now I only tried a few different powder loads and didn't have enough time to do extensive testing to get better groups. (this is why I ask)

I enjoy shooting for the sport of it. Not worried about hunting with the flintlock, but I would like to hold a tighter group with the NOT so expensive ammo.

Thanks. Hope you can help me out. I am only looking for groups of about 5 in or so at 50, but I would like a tac driver at close range.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

50 yards is close range..

[arcticap]

TC Renegade factory barrels are usually 1 in 48" which generally works well with patched balls.
Depending on the ball diameter the .010 patch may be too thin.
Most folks use a .015 patch with a .490 ball and some even choose the much tighter loading .018 pillow ticking patches.
Then starting at about 50 grains of powder, work up a load increasing the powder charge in 5 - 10 grain increments.
Loading with 50 grains of powder should at least produce pie plate accuracy at 50 yards.
When the target is moved to longer range, only increase the powder charge enough to maintain decent accuracy.
Post #5 describes a method to check your twist rate:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=313676&highlight=determine+twist+rate

What diameter are the round balls that you're using?

[bellyup039]

.490 round balls.
.10 prelubed patches.

I tried 70 gr and 80 gr so far.

Thanks for the help.
That's a neat trick to check the twist rate too!

[mykeal]

Put a .50 cal cleaning jag on your rod, oil up a patch and run it down to the breech. Carefully withdraw the rod allowing the rifling to turn it (depending on how thick they are you may need to double the patch to get it tight enough to follow the rifling). If the patch is tight enough return it to the breech and affix a piece of tape to the rod at the muzzle. The tape should mark the point on the rod where the muzzle is when the rod bottoms out; wrap it around and tape the two ends together to form a flag. Now pull the rod out, allowing the rifling to turn it. Watch the flag and stop it when it shows either one full or one half revolution of the rod; place another piece of tape on the rod at the muzzle, and measure the distance between the two tape marks. If you were able to get a full revolution you know the twist rate directly from that measurement; half a revolution requires you multiply the measurement by two.

[bellyup039]

UPDATE

I tried starting at 50 grains, and I added Bore Butter to the prelubed patches, ( I thought it might tighten up just a bit) and I am now holding 2 inch groups off a rest at 25 yds.

More testing coming, the 50 yd range was in use, and i didn't want to SMOKE them out.

thanks again. and again.

[madcratebuilder]

I have a T/C Hawken .50 with 1-48" twist. My best groups are with 80grs of Goex 3F, .490rb and a .015 patch.

[Das Jaeger]

So, you didn't want to smoke them out ?
Fastest way to have the range to yourself is to start shooting around Modern folks at the bench . Once they see the fire and smoke they will convert over anyway :D They will realize cartridge guns are just a passing phaze you know . Never knew too many Wars that were not filled with smoke in the air , its good practice for them to shoot through some , your honeing THEIR skills for them , shoot away man , its your sport too , and your range too :D

Das Jaeger