Lee REAL bullets...?

[DEVERS]

I did some searching of the forum, but, didn't appear to find a conclusion one way or another about Lee R.E.A.L bullets and smokepoles.

for 50cal 1:48, do folks find any value in a Lee REAL over a Maxiball?

Also, how the Lee .490" (50cal) RB molds? Is there a particular patch that works with these better than others?

Appreciate all the help in advance.

 

[Rebel]

I would just use the round balls if it were me. They will kill deer just fine. I used a Lee .490 mould with Wal-Mart blue/white pillow ticking for a patch. Woked good in my rifle.

 

[Slamfire]

I think you'll find that some rifles like one and some other rifles like another. My 50 loved the Buffalo Ballets, but don't much care for the R.E.A.L.s. I haven't tried any of the Maxiballs. :winking:

 

[arcticap]

The Lee aluminum molds caste very close to spec's with pure lead.
The commonly used patch thickness is .015. You can then make an adjustment to a thinner or thicker patch if you feel that it's too tight, loose or inaccurate.

 

[jtmattison]

I couldn't get a REAL to hit a paper plate at 50 yards with a 1:48 twist.
I shoot them in my 1:32 twist rifle and they are tack drivers.
Experimentation is the only way to find out if they will work for you.
Roundball should shoot great in your 1:48. Try off the shelf .015 patches or pillow ticking for starters.

HD

 

[Old Ironsights]

I did some searching of the forum, but, didn't appear to find a conclusion one way or another about Lee R.E.A.L bullets and smokepoles.

for 50cal 1:48, do folks find any value in a Lee REAL over a Maxiball?

Also, how the Lee .490" (50cal) RB molds? Is there a particular patch that works with these better than others?

Appreciate all the help in advance.

I like the REAL in .45s - particularly the 200gr version out of a Huntsman. It also shoots excellently in a Ruger Old Army.

OTOH, I don't care for the REAL as much in .50. I find that the LEE 360gr Traditional Minnieball is much more consistant.

 

[playfarmers]

I have had good luck with .50 cal REAL bullets, and like the 250g best. That said, I found nothing kills Deer better than a well placed round ball. My Lyman Deerstalker with a 1 in 48" twist is a little picky about ball/patch, and lube combinations, but with the right load it shoots great.

 

[Slake]

after many years of very good paper shooting and successful deer hunts, I too am looking to try some bullets. My reason is that I haven't yet. Come hunting season, I'm sure I'll prolly go back to my successful combo {patched roundball} unless I get some wicked results. Like said before try a bit of it all and see what works best for you

 

[paulvallandigham]

Since the riate of twist is related to the length of the bullet, and the 1:48 pitch is designed to shoot both round ball and slugs, I would start with fairly short slugs, and that means starting with the lower weight Lee REAL bullets. Then work your way up from there. A 200-250 grain bullet should be the ticket. When the Rate of twist gets faster- say, 1:32, or 1:22- a 300-350 grain bullet tends to be needed to stabilize at the velocities you will want for hunting. The 1:22 will stabilize .50 cal. bullets up to 550 grains, at black powder velocities, but that will put a strain on both the gun, the stock and your shoulder for sure. I would not expect such long bullets to stabilize well in your gun, and would not use them.

 

[DEVERS]

I live clost enough to Track of the Wolf... I might just pick up one mold of each. (RB and REAL)

We'll see how well these work after I get my St. Louis Hawken put together next week.

Regards...

 

[hangman]

Try[url] MidwayUSA.com[/url] They have a lot of molds and at great prices.