Lee REAL bullets, mini bullets

[gerardjohnson]

I was looking through the Lee catalogue and have some questions about the mini bullet and REAL bullet molds. I assume that you don't use a patch with these? Are they more accurate than round ball? Are they more difficult to load? When using the conical bullets in the Old Army, do you still use grease over the bullet as you do with round ball? Are thsy more accurate?

 

[snowshoe]

I have tried the REAL bullets and found better accuracy using a wad under the bullet., and I did shoot the .50 cal Mini for a bit. The only way I could get an accurate load with it was to paper patch it, and that produced a one hole group at 50 yards. You are correct in tha fact that you do not use a patch, just lube them up and shoot. I found them not much harder to load than a ball, but the round ball shot better than the REAL bullets in my rifle.

 

[mooncoon]

A couple of points about mini molds; most TC Hawkens and their Italian copies are sold with 1:48 twist that will stabilize a mini or other elongate bullet. Some are sold with or have aftermarket barrels of approximately 1:68 twist which will probably not stabilize elongate bullets.
Also I find I have quite a bit of difficulty getting a good skirt on my mini balls. If the lead and mold are not quite hot, the skirt freezes before it has completely filled out. That is particularly true when using pure lead because of its higher melting temperature

cheers mooncoon

 

[ben hunchak]

My 1-66" twist Great Plains rifle shoots best with th "Plains" type conical...much better than REAL or round ball....go figure!!