Flintlock Question

[GJZ]

This question is not for me but a good friend instead....

It might be a strange one at that~

Would anyone have any experience, knowledge or suggestions using a sabot in a flintlock??

[flamingo 7]

GJZ,

I'm no expert, but do occationally shoot an 1803 Harpers Ferry repo. As I understand it, the slow twist typically used for round balls fail to stabilize minie balls & sabots.

[Smokepole]

I'm no expert either, but rifles designed to shoot saboted bullets typically are twisted at 1-in-28" to 1-in-32", and round-ball rifles are more like 1-in-66" with some rifles like Hawkens twisted at 1-in 48" to shoot both.

Having said that, there are flintlocks twisted for conicals, so my suggestions for your pal would be 1) get one twisted at the right rate for sabots and 2) use black powder, not one of the harder-to-ignite replica powders designed for in-lines and shotgun primers.

[GJZ]

FLamingo 7 and Smokepole, Thanks!

Your both right from what I'm told! I got a hold of a person who was very knowledgeable on this topic and was informed it is safe practice but proper twist is essential. The slow twist will not stabilize and sabot. I stumbled into a very promising sabot/bullet and will fill you in after we get a chance to test it! It won't be any time soon but have a strong feeling it will work extremely well on game!

[just a feed boy]

I have several black powder guns, my 1 and 66 twist only shoots patched round balls and does it very effectively. My 1 and 28 twist shoots sabots great, conicals mdoerate and prb moderate. Sabot groups are 1 - 1.5 in at 100 yd, conical and prb loads open the groups up to about 3-4 in groups. My 1 and 48 in twist 50 cal t/c renagade shoots conicals best .5 in groups at 50 yd all day one hole groups if I do my part, I have tried various sabot loads none are as accurate the one that did the best for me is 80 g 2f green sabot and a 240 g hornady swc .429 cal I got 1 in groups at 50 yd slightly bigger group than the 370 g conical. I think that proves the theory. Twist plays a very important roll.

[GJZ]

I have several black powder guns, my 1 and 66 twist only shoots patched round balls and does it very effectively. My 1 and 28 twist shoots sabots great, conicals mdoerate and prb moderate. Sabot groups are 1 - 1.5 in at 100 yd, conical and prb loads open the groups up to about 3-4 in groups. My 1 and 48 in twist 50 cal t/c renagade shoots conicals best .5 in groups at 50 yd all day one hole groups if I do my part, I have tried various sabot loads none are as accurate the one that did the best for me is 80 g 2f green sabot and a 240 g hornady swc .429 cal I got 1 in groups at 50 yd slightly bigger group than the 370 g conical. I think that proves the theory. Twist plays a very important roll.

Thanks! It sounds pretty consistent the slow 1-in-60 thru 1-in-66 twist work well with the patched round balls and the newer 1-in-28 in-line's are tack drivers with the sabots. Looks like were going to be somewhere in between and looks like were on the right track! Thanks for the tips!