1/48 is a compromise twist for ball and conical. Invented by the Hawken Bros., I think. 1/24 can be relied upon to rip the patch from a RB, but 1/48 generally won't, while it is fast enough to stabilize a conical.
I have a .54 rifle with 1/48 and it will shoot ball or conical to minute of deer at 100 yds. Or sabot, for that matter. Actually, it shoots pretty much whatever I put in it, although I haven't tried the old "bent nails & gravel" load.
RB target shooters demand 1/66 or 1/72, but stopping rifles don't need pinpoint accuracy. 1/48 is fine for whatever it is a .72 dbl is good for.
