Lee REALs - Lube?

[NoJacketRequired]

Looking for advice here as I will soon start casting some Lee REALs in .50 for use in several T/C Hawkens, a Renegade, and a Traditions Hawken. All will be using TripleSeven FFg(at least to start). I'm curious to know if there's a need to lube the REAL (Lee literature I have says no need to lube). Of more critical importance, if a lube is needed, what have others found produces best accuracy results in the 1:48" twist barrels featured in these rifles?

OK, go easy on me here - I've been shooting all my life, but casting my own projectiles is a completely new game to me! :v

 

[omgb]

With T7 you can use Lee liquid alox without any trouble. Just dip and dry. If you switch to real black, you will need a specialized BP lube. Wonder Lube works, as does SPG and others

 

[sundog]

I lube with a Bees wax , Crisco, Murphys oil soap mix. Sloppy as heck but it does the hjob.

 

[BS]

TC lube works OK.........but remember to use a "WAD" under the lead base bullets.

 

[jtmattison]

At moderate velocities REAL's can be shot unlubricated without any real worries of leading the barrel. If you push them at higher velocities any paste lube will work. I tumble lube mine in liquid alox but it's probably not needed. A lubed wad underneath will help with accuracy and keeping fouling softer.

HD

 

[BrownBear]

My experience with REAL bullets is with the two 54 cal versions rather than 50 cal, but I'm guessing it applies. They definitely need lube of some sort to prevent leading. And you need to cast them of the purest lead. But they don't care much which lube you use- pick one that's convenient for you. They most definitely shoot best with a lubed felt wad seated between the bullet and the powder. I've only used the commercial variety prelubed with Wonderlube, but folks also make their own. We're talking cutting groups size in half at least when you use the felt wad.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. BrownBear,
That's impressive! Will have to give the lubed felt wad a try.
Best Wishes

 

[paulvallandigham]

The lubed OP wad does a better job of lubing the bore, but more importantly, it protects that critical base of the conical( and the skirt on Hollow base conicals) where the edges contact the barrel, from being destroyed or cut by blow-by gases.

 

[doublesnider]

I have use borebutter with my REALs and it works OK.
I would like to try liquid Alox but I read some bad coments about it messing with the black powder.
Do you use Alox with black powder or with sustitutes?
also, what about using a dry felt wad?

Thanks
Martin

 

[jtmattison]

Liquid Alox dries to a varnish like coating. It doesn't mess with the powder at all. I have never tried dry wads. I use homemade felt wads lubed with beeswax/olive oil. All I shoot is Goex. I have never had a problem with powder contamination with anything I use for lubes.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I use a mixture of toilet ring and boot grease 50-50 heated and stirred up. I use a felt overpowder it definitely tightens groups with the REAL slugs. I have the .50 cal mould.