54 Renegade Bullet Help

[ttusmc81]

I'd like to cast my own bullets for my T/C 54. What is a good type of bullet? All I have found was the Lee Minne and REAL. What would be a good bullet to start out with? Thanks TIM

 

[Norskie]

The REAL is a good starter, but the patched round ball is probably better place to begin. You haven't told us what twist you have, but in general, the slower the twist, the shorter (which means lighter) the bullet it will stabilize; with the round ball being the shortest and most inherently stable.

 

[Stubert]

Depending on the twist rate, I would try a .527 or .530 round ball. easy to cast, cheap to shoot, and will take down most anything in the U.S.

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

Most Renegades are tackdrivers with the T/C Maxi-Ball. It will slap down anything you shoot with it, too.

 

[ttusmc81]

It's a Renegade 1-48". Where do I order the moulds and how do I lube the Maxi's? I've shot the factory Maxi's and they do shoot very well. I have not tried R/b's. Would they shoot as well?
Thanks TIM

 

[paulvallandigham]

The Round ball at .527-.530" diameter will weigh 230 grains. It is a heavy ball, and expands beyond that size on hitting flesh. A 60 + caliber ball is to be expected to be recovered it it stays inside a deer or similar sized animal. That round ball kills Elk easily.

The only need you might have for a Maxiball is if you are planning to hunt moose, or bear.

As far as accuracy, the Round ball can be shot very accurately in your rifle, mainly because it does not bruise the shoulder as fast. Make it the main diet of your gun and do some penetration comparison testing with some other favorite deer cartridge. You will be happy with the results. Save the use of maxiballs for when you are going on that once in a lifetime hunt for truly big game, and want to use your ML rifle to take the game.

 

[roundball]

TC's standard barrels shoot PRBs extremely well...my hunting loads shoot 1+7/8" - 2+3/4" groups from the bench at 100yds:

90grns Goex 3F
Oxyoke prelubed wonderwad
.018" TC prelubed pillow ticking
Hornady .530 or .535

Unless you're going after moose or grizzly, a 230grn lead ball driven with some velocity will take most anything we hunt and with authority.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Unless you're going after moose or grizzly, a 230grn lead ball driven with some velocity will take most anything we hunt and with authority.

Even with moose the roundball will do great.

I have a renegade that loves the PRB. It also likes 425gr Hornady Great Plains.

 

[ttusmc81]

Thanks for info and help everyone. I will try the PBR'S. How are the LEE moulds? TIM

 

[Rat Trapper]

I have been using the Lee 300 grain REAL bullet with TC bore butter. It shoots pretty good, but the Hornady great plains 390 grain hollow base, hollow point shoots even better. I use 120 grains volume (87 grains by weight) of Triple seven 2F. With my hunting loads and the GP bullet I place a TC bore button over the powder before I push the bullet down. Using CCI #11 mag caps, I have no problems getting this powder to fire. Muzzle vel with the 390 gr GP bullet is 1671 fps. With the Lee REAL bullet I often shoot lighter loads 90 - 100 grains. With the 120 grain load the vel was 1818 fps.

 

[MercerLake]

Lyman has a Maxi-ball mold for the .54, casts very nicely. The maxi loads easily and shoots very well with heavy loads in the Renegade. :grin: