It's weird, but...

[MCgunner]

...I went looking at rifles at the Cabela's site recently, also checked Bass Pro. Now, when I got my Cabela's "Hawkin Hunter Carbine" there were a LOT of rifles with 1:48 or 1:66 twist. Now, I can hardly find anything with the slower rates. Everything is cut 1:24 to 1:32 for the sabots and large conicals. What's up with that? Shooting patched ball is out, now? Must be a fad thing. Used to have to really search for the fast twist rifles, now that's all that seems to be on the market.

I bought my rifle partly because of the fast 1:24 twist because I was thinking hunting. But, it'd be nice to have a 1:48 gun if only just because. I mean, at the range, you don't need to shoot conicals.

If and when I get another rifle, I think I'll want 1;48. Have a friend with one and it shoots well with small conicals or round ball. It won't shoot the heavy stuff or sabots, but I have a rifle for that.

 

[Manyirons]

Nah!

Ya can still get a WADDTLANDER target in 1-48, only problem is PRICE! Got one and for 100 yard offhand ya cant beat it.

 

[stevelyn]

Shooting patched round ball is out now?

Unfortunately most muzzleloader shooters are convinced game is immune to prb.
What they fail to realize is that if prb were that ineffective the North American continent would still be owned by the Indian and grizzly bears.

 

[arcticap]

There's a surplus market glut!

TC, Lyman, Traditions, Pedersoli, Austin Halleck, etc...either still make them or you can find many used in gunshops and the main auction sites.
Lots of people report that GM (Green Mountain) drop-in replacement barrels (for TC's mostly) are really accurate and there are a variety of options to chose from. Midway is one of many companies offering them.
Lots of stocks & barrels can be found on eBay (if you're willing), and even old Traditions barrels have been popping up on auctionarms.com, one seller's name is "Stefowl" who had several recently. He has new, old stock Traditions guns too in the $100+ range.
Even pawn shops and dealer's used gun racks in some areas have a glut of used "round ball" guns available. TC's have a "lifetime" warranty that is 2nd to none, even for their used guns, so you can buy with the confidence of "free" factory service, plus the GM barrel availabilty.
Did I forget to mention old discontinued CVA's?

 

[MCgunner]

Thanks for all the input! I guess it wasn't just my impression that things have changed. I suppose I'll troll the gun shows and pawn shops and if I find a deal. However, I might be up to building a gun. I'll have to do some research on it all I reckon. I need to get my hands one some money, too, before it evaporates...

 

[frosty]

Barrel Twist

MCgunner: Generally speaking, 50cal round ball twist is 1-66". Then, the larger the caliber, the slower the twist...I built a firelock in 72 cal once and the twist was 1-80". If you cant find what your looking for, the by a slow barrel and fit to your gun...I hope thi helps!

 

[Third_Rail]

Wish I knew where in CT this "Stefowl" is. I'd love to take a look at whatever he has to sell in person.

 

[MCgunner]

I wonder where I could get a barrel to fit this Cabela's Hawkin? I guess I coud try to find the manufacturer. If I had a barrel I could just switch out, that'd be a cool way to go. I notice they still sell the gun my friend has, the standard hawkin. AND, they have a Hawkin carbine with a 1:48 twist. Mine's a left hander, though. By the markings, the maker seems to be "Investarm of Marcheno, Italy. Not familiar with the manufacturer.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Investarm makes the Lyman BP rifles (Great Plains and Trade Rifles). Nice guns. By the looks of them, the Cabela's Hawkens are similar to the Trade Rifles.

 

[sundance44s]

sundance44s

Investarms makes the cabelas carbine and rifle .. look close on the barrel you`ll see it on there somewhere .. any drop in barrel for a thompson will work, track of the wolf sells `em for 175.00 plus shipping in green mountain the 1 ` in 70 ` twist .. i bought 2 last year for my cabelas and thompson great round ball barrels ..

 

[MCgunner]

Investarms makes the cabelas carbine and rifle .. look close on the barrel you`ll see it on there somewhere .. any drop in barrel for a thompson will work, track of the wolf sells `em for 175.00 plus shipping in green mountain the 1 ` in 70 ` twist .. i bought 2 last year for my cabelas and thompson great round ball barrels ..

WOW, THANKS! I did not know this! Valuable info there. Okay, I'll start saving now.