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A 58 cal roundball is certainly a good hunting and target projectile. When I sold my 58 Kodiak, the buyer said that is all he planned to use.

However, I wouldn't discount using conical bullets. Ira Lewis used his 58 Kodiak in Africa, shooting conical bullets and killing large, thin shin game like kudu. He used 140 gr 2F Goex. If you send me your email address, I will send you his article from DGJ.

I predominately shot conical bullets in my 58 cal Kodiak with 120 gr (4.5 drams) 2F and had no problem with bullet performance, even on a front shot on a deer. Remember that 505 to 550 gr conicals are fairly short. Also some 577 2 3/4" BPE were rifled with a 1/48" twist rate. I believe the Sniders used a 1/72: twist with a 480 gr conical.

I have read that the best twist rate for a 58 cal roundball muzzleloader is 1/72" with rifles being rifles as fast as 1/66?" to 1/90".

The 1/48" is listed as a compromise twist to stabilize short conical bullets.

From what I have read, this faster twist rate in a 58 cal barrel requires a lower powder charge to prevent round balls from stripping. . That is, one can use a much heavier powder charge with a slower twist barrel. Also from my reading, smaller calibers tolerate faster twist rates. Colerain barrels recommends the following twist rates for round balls.

1 in 48” twist for .36 and .40 calibers.
1 in 56” for .45 thru .58 calibers.
1 in 66” for the .62 caliber.

Concerning powder charges, I believe Pedesoli recommends like a 80ngr charge (or there abouts). That seemed low to me, more like a round ball load. I used 4.5 drams (about 120 gr). The Lewis article said he used 140 gr which is slightly over 5 drams which seems like a reasonable load.

It is correct that the original Hawkins machinery is set for a 1/48" twist. I read that the Hawkins rifles were predominately 52 caliber.

I guess closing thoughts are to use round ball if you prefer. If greater penetration is needed, try conical bullets backed by a stiff powder charge. Of course, the rifle will tell what loads it likes by how well it groups the loads at 50 to 75 yds.

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