Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Lee 250 REAL in roundball barrels

Yesterday I shot some 250 REAL bullets in several roundball barrels. Because Pennsylvania formerly mandated cloth patched roundballs for their flintlock deer season, most of my flintlock rifles have slow-twist deep groove barrels. Now that PA allows other bullets, I really wanted to find a conical that shot well. Although I've killed deer with the roundball, I was never thrilled with how they worked. The Hornady PA conical shoots well with heavy powder charges, but availability has been spotty. I fear that Hornady might discontinue them in the future. All of which brings me to try the Lee 250 gr REAL. I lubed them with 50/50 bore butter/beeswax.tsI've heard recommendations to use a felt wad under these bullets, so I made a bunch of them. When I got to the range, I realized I'd forgotten the wads. So, I decided to shoot without them. I set the powder measure to 75 gr (so I thought) and shot using 3f Goex powder. It turns out I was at 80 gr of 3f.

From a Getz barrel. the first 3 shots made a 1" group at 60 yards. Next up was a 1-60 Lyman GPR. Group was around 5". Not so hot. Finally a Green Mountain 1-70 barrel.made a 3/4" group for 3 shots. I think I may try 70 gr with the GPR, and/or use the wads.

So I did blunder into a couple good groups.

I dont have the 250 gr. REAL but I have the 360 gr. REAL bullet. it shoots terrible out of my TC Encore. I even paper patched them to tighten the bullet going down the barrel. No good. it just does not shoot out of my Encore or Impact. I am so frustrated that noone seems to make a decent muzzleloader that will shoot a conical bullet. I am looking into a custom muzzleloader barrel with a 1/48 or 1/55 twist. I am tired of Sabots too and they may be part of the problem. Anyone know of a gunsmith that can set me up with a modern muzzleloader with a custom barrel so I can just shoot soft lead home made bullets?

Do your TC's have the "quik load accurizer" counterbored muzzle? I have heard that some have had trouble shooting cast conicals with this feature. I had a TC Hawken .45 flintlock back in the 70's that shot 240 gr Maxi balls well. I sold it when Pennsylvania changed to require roundballs in cloth patches.

I have the first 1" that is over bored for easy loading. I thing that is what you mean.

Yup. Some people have the barrel cut shorter to get rid of it.

Richdeerhunter , are you rich , or is your name just Rich? Anyway, if that is all it is I would be happy . Most likely a $50 service.

Name only.