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The Traditions Kentucky and the P.A. Conical

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It was a nice day today so I figured I would get the ole Kentucky out and mess with the PA Conical. This bullet was designed for slow round ball twist barrels. The Traditions Kentucky has 1:66 rifling. I fired three strings of 3 shots at 30 yards off the bags with charges of 70, 80, and 90 grains of 3F Graf's Black Powder. I shot at 30 yards as my private range on my property is not that long 40 yards max but your right next to the bushes :D. Needless to say the rifle shot these bullets VERY well. The 90 grain charge performed better than expected. These bullets may become the go to for hunting. And I will get the rifle to the range and fire some groups at 50 yards and see where it prints. The maybe adjust the sights for there. I wonder if anyone makes a mold for something similar to the PA Conical.
P.S. Gotta love them clean holes in the target. They act like a big wad cutter.
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All my 1:48 50 cals shoot remarkably well with them. That is enough weight to make a 50 legal for Colorado elk. I'm a 54 rb hunter but lots of family members have only 50 cals so I'm keeping them on hand for them.

Yeah!! Where's that mold LEE Precision 🤔?? And while your at it do one in 45 also.
 
My 1:48 Traditions Hawken shoots them very well too. Same point of impact as round ball at 50 yards with 80grs. of 2F , using 70 grs. 2F with RB .

Did you wipe off the heavy lube/grease before loading ? That's my only complaint, that sticky, tacky, heavy coating of "lube" on these bullets. I clean out the concaved base and wipe off all but a thin layer on the driving band.
 
My 1:48 Traditions Hawken shoots them very well too. Same point of impact as round ball at 50 yards with 80grs. of 2F , using 70 grs. 2F with RB .

Did you wipe off the heavy lube/grease before loading ? That's my only complaint, that sticky, tacky, heavy coating of "lube" on these bullets. I clean out the concaved base and wipe off all but a thin layer on the driving band.
Yeah, I wiped off the bottom and wiped all the grease out of the hollow base before loading them. The amount of grease on them things will surely foul the top 10 percent of the charge probably. They seat and ram home incredibly easy. They are a keeper in my book. I'm going to try them in the Traditions Hawken next. And since the Ball-et isn't made anymore Hornady needs to produce the PA Conical in other calibers. I think these are the only game in town??
 
Yeah, I wiped off the bottom and wiped all the grease out of the hollow base before loading them. The amount of grease on them things will surely foul the top 10 percent of the charge probably. They seat and ram home incredibly easy. They are a keeper in my book. I'm going to try them in the Traditions Hawken next. And since the Ball-et isn't made anymore Hornady needs to produce the PA Conical in other calibers. I think these are the only game in town??
I use an over powder wad (dry) for that very reason.
 
I use an over powder wad (dry) for that very reason.
I had thought about that. As I use a 1/8" Non lubed felt over powder wad under a PRB for hunting. To keep the lube away from the powder. My Kentucky usually stays charged during deer season until it draws blood. But with the PA Conical I was worried that it would interfere with the base expanding on firing. So you have not seen any accuracy differences with an OPW with them?
 
I had thought about that. As I use a 1/8" Non lubed felt over powder wad under a PRB for hunting. To keep the lube away from the powder. My Kentucky usually stays charged during deer season until it draws blood. But with the PA Conical I was worried that it would interfere with the base expanding on firing. So you have not seen any accuracy differences with an OPW with them?
No sir, not at all. I thought the same thing when I got them after running out of T/C maxis. This fella here DOES NOT like them at all.
 

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All I've ever shot in thirty years is round ball. Stupid question: what is the loading procedure for these bullets? Looks like they might be worth a shot. Or two.
So easy, even I can do it Tim. Powder, I use a dry 50 cal wad, I start the bullet with my thumb, short starter, then RR. For some reason, seat it slowly. Just me, I don't know why. My T/C carbine is a 50 yard gun, at least while I'm shooting it. It's the only rifle I own that I use these in also. PRB out of the others. They do hitem hard though.
 
So easy, even I can do it Tim. Powder, I use a dry 50 cal wad, I start the bullet with my thumb, short starter, then RR. For some reason, seat it slowly. Just me, I don't know why. My T/C carbine is a 50 yard gun, at least while I'm shooting it. It's the only rifle I own that I use these in also. PRB out of the others. They do hitem hard though.
Thanks. I might try to find a box and give them a go. Nothing wrong with a little more knock down power.
 
Tomorrow I think I'll take both Spaniard's (Kentucky & Hawken) and try the Kentucky @ 50 yards and see how the 1:48 Hawken slings them. I really like how these bullets load and shoot so far. So much easier for woods work. I will be removing all that goopy lube and just putting some of the stiffer 50/50 lube around the knurled side, then they should ride well in a ball bag.
 
.512" dia huh? So it sorta swages itself in when you hit it with the ball starter?

Y'all notice any barrel leading or buildup?
Yeah it does the whole R.E.A.L thing. But amazingly it is easy to start and ram home. I believe the hollow base allows it to act like a Minie ball when fired. I didn't not see any leading at all when I cleaned the rifle.
 
Tomorrow I think I'll take both Spaniard's (Kentucky & Hawken) and try the Kentucky @ 50 yards and see how the 1:48 Hawken slings them. I really like how these bullets load and shoot so far. So much easier for woods work. I will be removing all that goopy lube and just putting some of the stiffer 50/50 lube around the knurled side, then they should ride well in a ball bag.
I think your have better accuracy in your longer barrels. That WMC of mine is 21 inch barrel I believe.
 

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