Question about the lee .515- 450gr bullet

[brstevns]

Has anyone tried this bullet in a 50cal or PP it up to use in a 54 cal rile?

[idahoron]

Paper patching it up to 54 is way too far. But if a guy had a 52 that would work. I have thought about doing this. I was looking for a inline and for a time I was thinking about a 52 so I could use all the .515 bullets that are out there. Ron

[newton]

I think it would work fantastic. I'm jealous, I won't lie. You picked this up in the PIF forum right?

I have the molds big brother, 500 grain(515 actual). Go back and look up my thread on the 50-70 muzzleloader I did last year. It will tell you my process and what I found out along the way. In the end it is my #1 bullet for my .50 cal 1:28 twist. If you have a slower twist it might not be as well.

[idahoron]

Are you talking to me or brstevns? I Personally don't see how a .515 is going to work in a 54. Paper patching that far up in my opinion will not yield much. But who knows I have never done it so what do I know. I do have a Lee Minie that casts .533 that should paper patch right into the neighborhood for a 54. I have some bullets poured but I haven't tried them yet. Ron

[Good Cheer]

Paper patching it up to 54 is way too far. But if a guy had a 52 that would work. I have thought about doing this. I was looking for a inline and for a time I was thinking about a 52 so I could use all the .515 bullets that are out there. Ron

Yeah, me too. Pondered possible combinations a while, thinking about making use of commonly available "off the shelf" molds. A .52 sounds pretty good.

[Good Cheer]

Passing thought... a hollowpointmold.com mod to a Lyman .515 mold might make a jimdandy paper patch .54. But, I'd want a real long real strong barrel!

[brstevns]

I think it would work fantastic. I'm jealous, I won't lie. You picked this up in the PIF forum right?

I have the molds big brother, 500 grain(515 actual). Go back and look up my thread on the 50-70 muzzleloader I did last year. It will tell you my process and what I found out along the way. In the end it is my #1 bullet for my .50 cal 1:28 twist. If you have a slower twist it might not be as well.

Yes got it off the PIf. I have a TC Hawkens in 50 cal and one in 54cal.

[newton]

Yes got it off the PIf. I have a TC Hawkens in 50 cal and one in 54cal.

Not sure if they will work long distance then. I am guessing these guns are 1:48 twist. They will be fine, even great for close shots, but might not have enough spin to group really reliably at the longer distances. But you never know until you try.

[newton]

Are you talking to me or brstevns? I Personally don't see how a .515 is going to work in a 54. Paper patching that far up in my opinion will not yield much. But who knows I have never done it so what do I know. I do have a Lee Minie that casts .533 that should paper patch right into the neighborhood for a 54. I have some bullets poured but I haven't tried them yet. Ron

No, I was talking to brstevens. I was only referring to the use of it in the .50 cal. I am with you on the use of it in a .54 cal, just do not see how it could get there without a sabot like paper cup of some sort.

[brstevns]

Not sure if they will work long distance then. I am guessing these guns are 1:48 twist. They will be fine, even great for close shots, but might not have enough spin to group really reliably at the longer distances. But you never know until you try.

After reading your post on the 5-70 muzzleloader. If my understanding is correct, I will need to size these down to around .505 or .510 to be able to push them down the barrel?