Regular shotgun wads on a .50 muzzleloader?

[marco]

Newbie question,

I have a .50 rifled muzzleloader that shoots only round balls.

I would like to test larger bullets that does not required any kind of bullet grease, like minies and sabots (I think)

Before just buy some of this bullets, I would like to ask if there exist any combination of shotgun plastic wads (let's say 28 gauge) and gun bullets (let's say 44 or 45 bullets) that is well know to work on a .50 muzzleloader.

I just want to make some tests to compare this kind of shot with regular round balls before acquire proper sabots and minies bullets.

Note: I live in a third world country and to me is easier to acquire shotgun plastic wads and gun bullets than proper Minie and sabots.

So, I would like to make some tests before import all things I would need to cast my own minies and sabots

Thanks

Atb

 

[deermanok]

This is a traditional muzzleloader forum. Plastic anything isn't a topic for discussion here.
I think you're better off with the patched round ball for your rifle.
You could experiment with other lead bullets to see how they work.
Good luck.

 

[Woody Morgan]

Why do you say your rifle only shoots round balls?

wm

 

[bubba.50]

Shoot plastic anything in your gun without lube then tell me how much fun you had cleaning it.

 

[SDSmlf]

Newbie question,

I have a .50 rifled muzzleloader that shoots only round balls.

I would like to test larger bullets that does not required any kind of bullet grease, like minies and sabots (I think)

Before just buy some of this bullets, I would like to ask if there exist any combination of shotgun plastic wads (let's say 28 gauge) and gun bullets (let's say 44 or 45 bullets) that is well know to work on a .50 muzzleloader.

I just want to make some tests to compare this kind of shot with regular round balls before acquire proper sabots and minies bullets.

Note: I live in a third world country and to me is easier to acquire shotgun plastic wads and gun bullets than proper Minie and sabots.

So, I would like to make some tests before import all things I would need to cast my own minies and sabots

Thanks

Atb

28 gauge would be about 55 caliber. Anything 28 gauge is not going to fit your 50 caliber gun. Maybe if you told us about your rifle (manufacturer, caliber, rate of twist), a suggestion could be made as to what may work. Depending on what you have, it’s possible a bullet mold would let you cast bullets that would work. Of course, that depends on your ability to get a mold and lead in the ‘third world country’ you live in.

 

[ppg1949]

If you are wanting to shoot sabots, you might try the sister site to this one.
modernmuzzleloader.com.
They shoot that unmentionable stuff.
Good luck.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I live in Britain too. It sucks don't it.
Stick to balls friend.
A .480 ball will kill a lot!

 

[marco]

This is a traditional muzzleloader forum. Plastic anything isn't a topic for discussion here.
I think you're better off with the patched round ball for your rifle.
You could experiment with other lead bullets to see how they work.
Good luck.

Hi, you're right. I forgot it . I'm sorry.
But it's true, I want to experiment other bullets than round balls.

Why do you say your rifle only shoots round balls?

wm

Hi, I'm sorry, I should wrote that I only have experience with round balls and that I would like to shoot something different from regular round balls, like minies, great plains, sabots and maxiballs.

Shoot plastic anything in your gun without lube then tell me how much fun you had cleaning it.

Hi, those power let's bullets are made from plastic, isn't it? I really don't know. I thought they supposed to resist the heat of powder burning.

28 gauge would be about 55 caliber. Anything 28 gauge is not going to fit your 50 caliber gun. Maybe if you told us about your rifle (manufacturer, caliber, rate of twist), a suggestion could be made as to what may work. Depending on what you have, it’s possible a bullet mold would let you cast bullets that would work. Of course, that depends on your ability to get a mold and lead in the ‘third world country’ you live in.

Hi!
My rifle is :
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/pedersoli-traditional-hawken-percussion-rifle

If you are wanting to shoot sabots, you might try the sister site to this one.
modernmuzzleloader.com.
They shoot that unmentionable stuff.
Good luck.

Thanks ! And again, I'm sorry!

I live in Britain too. It sucks don't it.
Stick to balls friend.
A .480 ball will kill a lot!

Lol! I live In Brasil!
I like to shoot round balls. I just want to experiment with larger heavier bullets.
I can import bullet molds and cast myself.
I just don't know how to start and Wich molds pick up.

Thanks you all.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I don't if you can get them but the Lee REAL bullet is designed to shot in slow twist barrels but are heavier than a ball.
https://leeprecision.com/bullet-casting/black-powder-molds/black-powder-real-bullet-combo-molds/

 

[rafterob]

Your rifle is not designed for Sabots, Maxi type balls (the R.E.A.L.) is one, may work well in your rifle.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Lol! I live In Brasil!
I like to shoot round balls. I just want to experiment with larger heavier bullets.
I can import bullet molds and cast myself.
I just don't know how to start and Wich molds pick up.

Thanks you all.

I will try some Google Translate here

So the heavier bullets are lubed. We often call them "conicals".
Portanto, as balas mais pesadas são lubrificadas. Costumamos chamá-los de "cônicos"
Yes, the conicals should work in your rifle without problems. You may find one type works much better than others.
Sim, as cônicas devem funcionar em seu rifle sem problemas. Você pode descobrir que um tipo funciona muito melhor do que outros.
The Lee REAL bullets mentioned above are one brand that often works well. Try those and see.
Os Lee REAL marcadores mencionados acima são uma marca que geralmente funciona bem. Experimente e veja.
As others have written, the rifle twist of your rifle is not meant for anything other than conicals and patched round ball.
Como outros escreveram, o giro do rifle de seu rifle não serve para outra coisa senão cônicas e bola redonda remendada.

250 grain Lee REAL .50 mold
320 grain Lee REAL .50 mold

I hope this helps

LD

 

[Grenadier1758]

Lee Precision also offers Minie' Ball molds in 50 caliber. Out of stock at Lee Precision, but may be available from other suppliers.

Black Powder Minie Bullet Molds - Lee Precision

The conical bullets need to be greased. Use pure soft lead when casting the conical bullets.

Midway USA has the Improved Minie' mold in stock. Use the filter for 50 caliber.

lee bullet molds - MidwayUSA

 

[marco]

Ok, I will order a lee REAL bullet mold.

But, since it seems to work without a patch, how could I choose the best bullet diameter to my rifle?

I mean, if I got a mold that produces a round ball that is too loose on my barrel, I can make minor adjustment just using a thicker patch.

But since the real bullet doesn't use patches, I think I should choose the bullet diameter with more attention, since I will not be able to correct it just changing patches..

I'm afraid to get a real bullet mold that produces bullets that is too loose (may lead to gas leak?) or too tight (making loading difficult or even impossible).

As always, thanks a.lot

 

[SDSmlf]

I'm afraid to get a real bullet mold that produces bullets that is too loose (may lead to gas leak?) or too tight (making loading difficult or even impossible).

The Lee REAL bullet is designed to work in guns like the one you posted a link to. The 50 caliber REAL comes in two weights, 250 and 320 grain. Both weights will work, but in my opinion the 250 grain may work better in your guns 1-48 twist. Reason I say this is because the 250 grain is a shorter bullet and easier to stabilize in a 1-48 twist.

From the Lee website.

“Rifling Engraved At Loading (REAL) Bullet Molds
A solid bullet that loads easily even after many firings because of its unique cleaning action. Will not tumble. A perfect hunting bullet with heavy loads. Easy to cast. Shoots accurately even in greatly oversize barrels.

R.E.A.L

Rifling Engraved At Loading (REAL)
The driving bands are large enough to adequately engage the rifling when pushed into the muzzle, and thin enough to withstand maximum charges without stripping or gas cutting.”

 

[bubba.50]

Lee R.E.A.L. molds are caliber specific the lower bands are bore size to facilitate ease of loading plus alignment to the bore. the upper band is slightly oversize to shave a little lead as it engraves itself to the rifling and in the process sealing itself to prevent blow-by.

JUst be sure to use dead-soft lead.

 

[marco]

Ok, so, I think I would buy this one, to get a round ball and a real bullet combo mold:

https://leeprecision.com/mold-dc-50cal-320rb.html
I think I will lube the real bullets using lee allox in a ziplock.

But how about a overpowder felt wad?

Is it really necessary or could I leave it alone?

 

[bubba.50]

If you’re using real black powder better cheeck if the alox is BP compatible. If it’s not you may have a gummy, tarry mess on your hands when you go to clean your gun.

I have never used or felt the need to use overpowder wads of any kind.

 

[Woody Morgan]

I use 250 grain REALs with a lubed overpowder felt wad.
No need to lube REALs if you do it this way.

wm

 

[Britsmoothy]

If you can, add a wad or card grease cookie but only use animal or vegetable fats.
Can you get bees wax and a cooking oil?

 

[Woody Morgan]

I use olive oil. It's cheap, it works great and it's available in your kitchen if mama doesn't catch you.

If you can, add a wad or card grease cookie but only use animal or vegetable fats.

What's a "grease cookie"? Is that like a slice of blood sausage?

wm