rifle twist

[billd]

can someone explain rifle twist and how it works on accuracy?  are diffrent rates more accurate than others?  does barrel length or slug velocity  or guage have different affects. i was wondering why ush 12 &20  guages have different rates  is one better than the other . thankyou 

[JimFromTN]

Slug gun accuracy is a very strange thing.  One twist rate is no more accurate than another.  One barrel length is no more accurate than another.  The scientific theory is that the faster rate of twist helps stabilize the faster slugs.  I have found it to be true with my own experiences and yet I have read where other people with the exact same setup that I have, having the opposite results.  My 870 with hastings barrel (1:34 twist) loves 1oz slugs traveling at around 1500fps and hates faster, lighter slugs like the hornady slugs.  I have read where others with an 870 and hastings barrel love the hornady slugs.  My barrel is pinned, maybe thats the diference.  I think what plays the greatest role is how well your gun fits together.  The looser it is, the more vibrations and the less accurate it is.  Thats why fixed barrel shotguns like the USH as well as the bolt shotguns like the savage 210 are usually more accurate than shotguns with interchangeable barrels like the 870.  The USH's are suppose to be about the most accurate you can get but at the same time, you will hear of people that can't hit anything with them.  I think thats probably because there was some factory deffect where the gun did not fit properly together.

Your best bet is to just get something that you like and then buy a bunch of different weights and speeds of slugs and figure out what works best in your gun.

20 gauges always have a faster twist rate than 12 gauges because of slug weight and speed. The 20ga is suppose to be more accurate than the 12 ga.

[billd]

thanks jim  just found this site recently  lots of good info  i want to buy one of the ush  guns reading all i can .   friend of a friend says dont but it seems most are happy with them  dont know if i should buy 12 or 20 for deer hunting  herd the recoil is heavy in 12  i have access to led slead bench rest, so sighting in should be no problem .  i have moss 930  with nikon 2x7 shotgun scope which shoots well .  never notice kick when hunting   just want dedicated slug gun  i also understand i can switch to muzz barrel on 20 guage model .

[JimFromTN]

The 20 ga are suppose to be great shooters with plenty of knockdown.  For every bad review, there are 10 good reviews.  Check out the shotgun world forum in the slugshooting threads.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/index.php

Lots of guys on their hunt with the USH.

[Michiganiac]

What I've been reading lately is that most slug guns are 1:34, but your accuracy is supposed to improve if you get something with a faster twist. Badger barrels out of Wisconsin offers slug barrels with a 1:26 twist that are supposed to be the cat's ***. I don't have any experience with them, but I am sure interested. I use a hastings barrel on my 870 and have had good luck with the Federal 2 3/4 shells with the 3/4 ounce Barnes expander.

[MI.sabot]

Bllld:

I have a 12 ga USH (1:34 twist) and the 1 oz 2-3/4" Barnes Expanders (1,450 fps) have always patterned well.
The 12 ga is very heavy, I am not, and recoil is NOT an issue. The weight of the gun absorbs it.
This is not a gun I would ever consider carrying into a tree stand.
It is however perfect for my ground blind with its sturdy wood rail.

I had a 20 ga USH (1:26 twist) that I never could pattern regardless of what velocity shell I stuffed into it.
Eventually traded it in for a NEF Sidekick muzzleloader and couldn't be happier.

Note: Remington bought H&R/NEF and discontinued their muzzleloaders and the ML replacement barrels are currently out of stock or are no longer available.