Want to try Lee 54 cal R.E.A.L. in 1x66 flintlock

[Bruce in WV]

I have arthritis problems in my shoulders that make loading a tight patched round ball in my 54 cal 1x66 flintlock very painful. A friend suggested that I should try the Lee R.E.A.L. bullet, either the 300gr or 380gr, for deer hunting as a substitute. He says that they load with less resistance and still deliver good accuracy.

I'm looking for input from other longrifle shooters who have tried these bullets in the slow twist barrels. Is it possible to stabilize these bullets enough for decent hunting accuracy on 100 yd targets?

If the answer to this is "yes" I'd appreciate a link to a source for cast bullets (molds and handles are readily available, but my casting days are over - a little too shakey at 78 to handle molten lead!)

Thanks
Bruce

[LAGS]

Check Track of the Wolf in there Ammunition section.
I do my own casting.
So I am not sure they sell the Lee REAL slugs.
But I get other slugs from them for rifles I do not have molds for.
That slow twist will shoot out to 100 yards accurately.
But you will have to try different loads of powder and maybe overpowder wads to see what works best in your rifle.
Also
It your loading of a Ball is too hard.
Maybe try a smaller diameter ball in your rifle , or a thinner patch.
I have a friend that his son likes an easier loading ball in a .54 I built for him.
He likes a .520 ball for easier loading , and he is very accurate with it.

[Bruce in WV]

Check Track of the Wolf in there Ammunition section.
I do my own casting.
So I am not sure they sell the Lee REAL slugs.
But I get other slugs from them for rifles I do not have molds for.

I had the same thought, but TOW only sells the molds.

[Edward]

I have arthritis problems in my shoulders that make loading a tight patched round ball in my 54 cal 1x66 flintlock very painful. A friend suggested that I should try the Lee R.E.A.L. bullet, either the 300gr or 380gr, for deer hunting as a substitute. He says that they load with less resistance and still deliver good accuracy.

I'm looking for input from other longrifle shooters who have tried these bullets in the slow twist barrels. Is it possible to stabilize these bullets enough for decent hunting accuracy on 100 yd targets?

If the answer to this is "yes" I'd appreciate a link to a source for cast bullets (molds and handles are readily available, but my casting days are over - a little too shakey at 78 to handle molten lead!)

Thanks
Bruce

Don't think that will help your shoulder or your flinter ,lot more recoil and wear on your vent hole . There's a reason they call the twist in those barrels RB . Want to try conicals get a TC Renegade 1-48 and way more weight in the stock and shot gun butt plate , had a Kibler woods runner (54) sold it cause I own or did own a bunch of Renegades . Still own one Renegade 50 but that too is headed down the road , got into smokeless muzzys and that's way more fun and got a bunch of powder to burn before I head down the road (too)/Ed

[Bruce in WV]

Don't think that will help your shoulder or your flinter ,lot more recoil and wear on your vent hole . There's a reason they call the twist in those barrels RB . Want to try conicals get a TC Renegade 1-48 and way more weight in the stock and shot gun butt plate , had a Kibler woods runner (54) sold it cause I own or did own a bunch of Renegades . Still own one Renegade 50 but that too is headed down the road , got into smokeless muzzys and that's way more fun and got a bunch of powder to burn before I head down the road (too)/Ed

Ed, Thank you for your comments.
I have an Investarms percussion 50 Hawken for general muzzleloader season, but the flinter has a special place in the rack for WV Mountaineer Season in early January (primitive rifles and longbows for combined deer/bear/turkey). More importantly, it is a 'tribute' rifle I had built after my father passed 20 years ago. He was a dedicated flintlock collector for decades and got me hooked. If I can't find a way to continue to shoot it, I'll set it up for long term storage, along with the accoutrements, and put it away for my son and grandson.

This attempt to shoot it with the R.E.A.L. bullets is an exploration of what's possible. Your comment about wear on the vent hole is very interesting. I hadn't considered that, and I don't want to damage this rifle: can you explain it a little more, please.

[LAGS]

If your rifle has just a Drilled Vent hole and it gets worn over the years.
You can always drill and tap the barrel for a flash hole screw in replacement from TOW.
I have done that on a couple flinters that had bad holes.
But shooting heavier slugs can in some cases cause back pressure that burns out the steel barrel flash hole easier.
But only shooting a slug occasionally will last a good while.
But the screw in Stainless Steel flash hole liners last a lot longer.

[indian joe]

I have arthritis problems in my shoulders that make loading a tight patched round ball in my 54 cal 1x66 flintlock very painful. A friend suggested that I should try the Lee R.E.A.L. bullet, either the 300gr or 380gr, for deer hunting as a substitute. He says that they load with less resistance and still deliver good accuracy.

I'm looking for input from other longrifle shooters who have tried these bullets in the slow twist barrels. Is it possible to stabilize these bullets enough for decent hunting accuracy on 100 yd targets?

If the answer to this is "yes" I'd appreciate a link to a source for cast bullets (molds and handles are readily available, but my casting days are over - a little too shakey at 78 to handle molten lead!)

Thanks
Bruce

why not go to a thinner patch?
if it blows out bad enough to reduce accuracy try an overpowder wad under the patched ball
I shot 120 grain loads in a 54 CVA for years - 530 ball on a calico patch I used a 1" calico patch on the powder then loaded the patched ball ---worked good but the dry backer patch is a fire hazard in the bush - so suggesting a wad like juice box or simlar ????

If you are dodgy in the shoulders hero loads ( 380 grain R E A L boolit and enough powder to steer it straight in a 66" twist ) are not likely to help

[LAGS]

There is something else that I have used in my .54’s
I bought some plastic sabots that shoot a .451 slug.
They load fairly easily.
I have shot .45 Colt 255 gr lead slugs sized to .451 and .45-230 gr HP for my Colt ACP
They are very accurate at 100 yards and they are not a super heavy slug.
Some of my .54 Renegades are bored to a slow twist like yours too.
Plus I just turned 70 last year, so I too like easier loading rifles most of the time.

[Bruce in WV]

There is something else that I have used in my .54’s
I bought some plastic sabots that shoot a .451 slug.
They load fairly easily.
I have shot .45 Colt 255 gr lead slugs sized to .451 and .45-230 gr HP for my Colt ACP
They are very accurate at 100 yards and they are not a super heavy slug.
Some of my .54 Renegades are bored to a slow twist like yours too.
Plus I just turned 70 last year, so I too like easier loading rifles most of the time.

LAGS,
Thanks for the suggestion about the sabots. I use .451 260gr RNFP slugs in 50 cal ribbed sabots in my 1x48 Hawken, and they are great. What brand sabots do you use?

[badwolf]

I have a .526 round ball mold , loads easy in my 54. Haven't noticed any loss in accuracy. I can send you some to try.

[Edward]

I use Harvester ribbed in all my muzzys cause I like choices and cheaper (like pistol caliber) with less recoil/Ed

[LAGS]

I actually have some TC Mag Sabots
PM me your address and I can send you some to try.

[waksupi]

I'm with the thinner patch/smaller ball crowd. If you need a short starter, your load is probably tighter than necessary for hunting accuracy.

[Bruce in WV]

I'll be experimenting with the smaller round balls and .451 RNFPs in the 54 sabots. I'll share my results here.
Thank you all for your suggestions.

[Delkal]

I shoot the 50 cal Real bullet and it can be difficult to seat unless you use extremely soft lead and even then it can still take some effort. The first bands slide right in with thumb pressure but the top band is oversized and needs a good whack to engrave the rifling.

Measure the thickness of your patches with a micrometer then take it to a fabric shop or goodwill and look for some cotton cloth slightly thinner. You should be able to buy a lifetime supply of patches for a few dollars.