Time to get some bullet molds made for my 4 bore. The rifle has a .998 bore and 108 inch twist. 1400 grain round balls do just fine when loaded with 450 grains of powder. Don't have a chronograph so I don't know for sure how fast they are going. Guess would be about 1700 fps. But the twist should be fast enough for short bullets also. Just wondering how long of a bullet that can stabilize. Would be nice to get something around 2000 to 2200 grains with muzzle velocity in the 1400 to 1500 fps range. Don't think I could handle the recoil from any more velocity than that. Or would I be limited to bullets in the 1700 to 1800 grain range? And yes, I do realize that a 4 bore is an absolute monster of a rifle.

Here's a contact who might be able to help : CalPappas.com

Send Cal an email - he loves double rifles including the older designs.

If you so some searching, there are websites having calculators allowing calculation of twist rates for stabilizing bullets of various dimensions and weights. JBM Ballistics is an excellent one. Free, and even the ammunition manufacturers use it for ballistic calculations.

I looked up the JBM Ballistics. Seems I am good with a 1.25 inch long bullet. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

The old rule of thumb is 1.5 calibers long, which would be about 1.45" long. Weight can be reduced by a hollow base, and one or two 3/16" lube or crimping grooves.

Funny thing about breech loading Bore rifles. The chamber is standardized, but the bullet diameter is based on weather the cases are brass or paper.

I was looking at an H&H best quality side by side 4 bore about 35 years ago. The rifle was $85,000 and ammo was (paper case) $50 each. I bought a farm for less than half that instead, but I still dream at night!

Ivan

Prices have not dropped over 35 years. Saw some 4 bore ammo for sale about a year. I think it was $85 per shot. Could be wrong. I have never actually bought loaded ammo for it. Brass is pretty expensive but pressure is low enough that it will probably last forever. I always keep an eye open for empty brass on the floor at the shooting range! Seems like 9mm brass is a lot more common.

I don't have a H&H double and would not want one either. Too heavy and all the weight is at the muzzle. Even H&H cannot overcome gravity. I have a custom made single barrel that weighs 18 pounds. Thats plenty heavy. These rifles are extremely expensive even when someone other than H&H makes them.