Considering a Rice... (Yes, Lew, your idea)

Hey kids, I am currently running an older T/C Hawken in .54 caliber with a 1" diameter barrel.  It's currently wearing an Oregon Barrel Company 35" barrel with a 1:48 twist.  It shoots well with heavy conicals fashioned with pure lead, as Lewis has demonstrated on numerous occasions.



Now, because of some thinking errors in my younger days that involved the Butter of the Bore, and believing the marketing patter, the bore has some pitting.  Plus, I'm just looking for an excuse for a new barrel.

So, since I am starting at Genesis, I'm going to be using long, Heavy conicals (540 gr +/-), 1/8" .58 cal felt wads over swiss 2F powder.  What I would like from the collective is recommendations for twist and alloy.  This will be an Ohio hunting gun.

Go...

I’d go with Jason’s barrel, 30” long with a 45 caliber 1 in 18 twist. Maybe as slow as 1 in 24? It’ll be hefty if you’re planning on running up and down the mountains…

Where at in Ohio? I grew up in NE Ohio but moved out west. What kind of ranges are you expecting to shoot at? Reason I ask, I have a 1"x 50 renegade barrel that I'm sorta brain storming to have re-bored to a 58 cal with a conical (fast for a 58) twist. There's a fella in PA, Bobby Hoyt. He could re bore or possibly reline your barrel for a boat load cheaper than a new Rice barrel would set you back. The 58 cal fast twist would be a real whitetail thumper. Accurate molds shows a few designs but I would probably have a design like Lewis' "I" bullet made. It would definitely be north of 500 grains probably 550ish. I have no dog in the fight and I have seen Lewis's Rice barrels up close in person..they are extremely nice. It's early and I'm just thinking out loud . Good luck with your project.

I guess I should have re read my post, I left this out. A re bore on your current 1"x 54 cal barrel would be possible to 58 cal and it would loose a little weight in the process.

I want to avoid a re-bore.  I have all my junk set up for .54 cal - molds, sizers.. all that shit

... And HB, you know damn well what part of Ohio I'm trapped in (at least for another 4 years, 6 months, and 9 days...)  We talked about that!  My hunting property is in Pike, so lots'a hills.  I figure most of my shots will be somewhere between 20 and 1,168 yards.

Ah yes Now I remember. I don't have my time narrowed down to exact days but I'm closing in on 7 months until I bow out and let the younger crowd have a stab at it. I'm betting Bobby Hoyt can also reline one of your 54's to a fast twist. Maybe worth a call to him just to know for sure. I've got his number if you would want it.