REAL Bullets in T/C 45 caliber

[uncrichie]

Ive seen a few other threads about the REAL bullets but in .50 and .54 calibers. Has anyone had success in a .45 T/C Hawken? If so I'd be interested in your load, wads and lube. Thanks in advance. Uncrichie.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I shoot them in a .50, you have to use as pure lead as you can get to cast them with. good luck, Blizzard.

 

[uncrichie]

Hi Blizzard, I believe I saw your response on one of the other threads about soft lead. I shoot CW firearms in N-SSA and our club purchases pure lead by the Tons. At least I'm sure of the quality. I shoot .50 Flint and cast my own ball and also have a .45 percussion that I want to set up for hunting in our early muzzle loader doe season (October, next year). .45 ball is too light so I want to go for something like the REAL bullet in .45, I think it weighs 245 gr., thats why I was looking for someone that may have gone through the setup for a .45. Tnx, uncrichie.

 

[Pittsburghunter]

I know T/C made a maxi-ball for that cal pretty much specific for their rifles. That may be worth checking out as well as the REALS. Traditons sells a "ballet" which works well in 48 twist barrels as well.

I have had good luck shooting the .50 REALS but never tried the .45s.

 

[topper]

I've been shooting the 200 grain Reals in a 45 CVA.
50yd groups are sub 2" using 70gr volume of Pyrodex RS. BP is hard to find in my area, but based from other post I've read FFFG is the preferred powder of a lot of 45cal BP shooters.
I picked up some Triple 7 FFFG and current load for same bullet is 60gr volume.
Results were about the same.
One thing that really has me puzzled is groups at 100yds are 11" to the left of POA.
Is wind drift that much of a factor between 50 and 100 yards with these rifles?

 

[Idaho Ron]

I have a 250 gr mould. I have shot mine a little bit. I only used them to sight my gun in at 50 yards. I will probably use them for rabbits. Ron

 

[topper]

Ron,
Very interesting to see the group you got with the 250's;-)
Very similar results with the 200's.
The sure cut a clean hole in targets.

 

[sparky911]

I found a Lyman - 45 cal Maxi Ball mold made just for the T/C Hawkens with 1 in 48 twist

mine is a 45 Single Cavity number 454616

I think its 245 gr

Till I get some good pure lead, I just sacrificed some round ball I had.

 

[Runner]

They shoot so well out of revolvers that I think they need a tight barrel or some way to bump them up in size for normal sized barrels. The revolver is simply sizing them properly.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Topper, what is the rate of twist on your rifle? Ron

 

[Rat Trapper]

I'd recommend you try some Hornady great plains bullets and see how your gun likes 'em. Be sure to put a felt wad under the bullet. I use the REALs in my 50 & 54 for target and plinking. Use nothing but the great plains bullets in these guns for hunting. Only plan to shoot round balls out of my 45.

 

[topper]

Ron,
I measured it last night after reading some post.
Cleaning rod rotates 1/2 turn from bore to plug, so I have a 1-66 twist rate.
Price was right, kit was given to me and now that I've gotten my feet wet, I'm really enjoying it :wink:
Marty

 

[Idaho Ron]

That is a great group for a twist that slow.
Another vote Hornady great plains if the twist will handle it. Ron

 

[topper]

Ron,
While I've got your attention, will the 200gr be enough for deer @ 50yds or should I use a heavier pill?
Thanks,
Marty

 

[Idaho Ron]

Marty, You said you are using 60 gr of T777 with the 200 gr. YES! that should do at 50 yards for deer. I can't help but wonder if your slow rate of twist is causing the 11" left of POA. Or are you using a felt wad between the powder and the bullet? Yes wind drift is bad with these rifles but I don't think that is your problem. I would try the felt wad and maybe even back the T777 off to maybe 50 gr. T777 is very hot. A friend of mine got over 1500 feet per second out of a 21" 50 cal barrel with a 410 gr Hornady great plains. He was only using 80 or 85 grains.
Also do your bullets cut clean at 100 yards? Ron



"I've been shooting the 200 grain Reals in a 45 CVA.
50yd groups are sub 2" using 70gr volume of Pyrodex RS. BP is hard to find in my area, but based from other post I've read FFFG is the preferred powder of a lot of 45cal BP shooters.
I picked up some Triple 7 FFFG and current load for same bullet is 60gr volume.
Results were about the same.
One thing that really has me puzzled is groups at 100yds are 11" to the left of POA.
Is wind drift that much of a factor between 50 and 100 yards with these rifles?"

 

[topper]

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for the help I'm receiving from this forum.
Thanks for the pressure warning Ron, I will definitely back off the amount of volume charge.
I am using wads cut from denim jeans and sticking them to the bullet base with lube (lube recipe found on this forum).
The holes were clean at 100 yds as well.
Hopefully, I'll have another day between now and BP season to do some more test before I hunt with it.
I've had good results as well using Lee's 300gr Improved Mini, and if that a better choice, I have already casted plenty of them.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Excuse me, but the LAST thing you want to do is stick anything to the base of your bullet. Wads are to protect the base, Which should be clean as a mirror. The Wad seals the gases behind the bullet, so there is no melting or cutting of the back, or bottom, edges of the bullet. A cut or damaged bottom edge is a sure way to send a bullet off who knows where.

If you stick or glue anything to the bottom of the bullet, you create a tail which may stay with the bullet to the target, or may fly off because of the fast rotation of the bullet. Where it falls off will determine where the bullet goes. If it stays attached, the tail will add drag to the bullet, and you will not be able to predict where it will hit. Almost assuredly, it will not hit where you aim.

The secret to accuracy with all guns, shooting lead bullets is that you want the base of the bullet( the last part of the bullet to exit the barrel) to leave the muzzle square to the bore, and with all edges leaving at the same time. A OP wad will protect the base, and provide a buffer between the burning gases, and the base of the bullet. If there is a minor nick in the edge, the wad will keep the gases from turning the bullet away from that nick. That is why we emphasize the need to crown the barrel properly, AND SQUARE TO THE BORE, not the outside flats of the barrel. With better barrel making equipment being used today, most barrels are first bored, and then put on centers to cut the flats, so that the bore and the flats are squared and parallel. In those barrels, squaring the crown of the muzzle to the flats squares it to the bore.

Only an examination of your barrel by a competent gunsmith can determine what you have.

 

[uncrichie]

Topper, are you having to size your 300 grain minnie down to fit the bore? I would think if your rifle is shooting the 300 gr. minie accurately it would be the best choice due to the added weight. Uncrichie.

 

[JohnM]

TC,s 255 gr. Maxihunters shoot real well in my TC 45 cal. Hawkin with 80 gr. powder. Buffalo Bullets 325 gr. hollow point, flat base bullet does well too, just not quite as flat shooting as the TC Maxihunter. I heart shot two deer this season with 45 Hawkin and the TC Maxihunters. One was at 70 yds. the other at 30 yds.

 

[kaac1221]

unrichie, Where do you get your pure lead?

Can't find any here in NW Pa.

Dryball