[oneyeopn]

I have a 54 cal Thompson Hawkins and my wife has a 45 cal CVA Kentucky long rifle. I found some of the modern Sabot (looks like pistol bullets) that you can use to shoot through the muzzle loaders. After I purchased them I read somewhere that the older style muzzle loaders arent meant to shoot these rounds, they are made for the modern inlines. Is there any truth to this and did I waste my money? The plastic wads looked like it would be easier and maybe more accurate, I didn't know so I bow to the wisdom of my fellow gun nuts.

[338RUM]

There is truth into what they say, if your rifles will only shoot patch and ball then the twist is probably 1-55 (normally 1-60) or more and will not stabilize the sabots. NORMALLY traditional rifles have a 1-48 twist and will stabilize MOST sabot rounds but not all. For you to be absolutely sure that your ML will stabilize ALL sabots they need to have a 1-28 twist.

[rebel727]

I tried sabots in a 1:48 twist when they first came out and they tumbled. Maybe some are better now. The TC is most likely 1:48 while the CVA is probably 1:66. You really need a 1:32 twist or faster for dependable performance with sabots.

[Greyhawk50]

Sorry that I didn't see this earlier. Here is a thread related to muzzle loaders that may help. It contains a lot of info. Be careful not to over-charge those older rifles.
New Muzzle loader and questions (newbie)
Here are a couple T/C Links that may help. If you search the web., CVA may have a similar link to manuals.
Charts - Thompson/Center
It states that your 54 cal. Hawkins has a 1:48 RH Twist.
Muzzleloaders - Thompson/Center
Go to the left side of the Home Page - bottom of the list & click on Manuals to find your Hawkins.
It's been my experience that the 1:66 & 1:48 rifles are best with Patch & Ball.
A 1:38 twist will shoot either as long as the Sabot Bullet weight is 200 gr. or maybe 230 gr. The heavier bullets topically don't stabilize very well. The newer rifles with a 1:28 twist work best with the heavier Sabots.
Check out the Thread listed above and if you have more questions, I'll try to help.

[Rebel Hog]

Quote:       Originally Posted by oneyeopn

I have a 54 cal Thompson Hawkins and my wife has a 45 cal CVA Kentucky long rifle. I found some of the modern Sabot (looks like pistol bullets) that you can use to shoot through the muzzle loaders. After I purchased them I read somewhere that the older style muzzle loaders arent meant to shoot these rounds, they are made for the modern inlines. Is there any truth to this and did I waste my money? The plastic wads looked like it would be easier and maybe more accurate, I didn't know so I bow to the wisdom of my fellow gun nuts.

I like 1-28 to 1-34 for my sabots!.....1-34 my choice..

[samuel]

1in48 is too slow for any sabot I have tried and most conical,s.