50 Caliber Conical for 1-48 Twist

[Saxtonyoung]

I've been playing with my 50 Caliber New Englander and was wondering if any of you have used any special bore sized bullets or had a mold made for the 1-48 twist that you believe are real tack drivers . So far I have played with the Lee 501-440 and the Lee 500-360 Minie with Ok results but both of those bullets are on the long side for this twist.

 

[Idaholewis]

Sax, I swear by the Lyman Plains bullet, i have shot it very well in several of my own rifles, and seen it perform the same in others rifles, Its a darn good bullet! Here is a target i recently shot with a Stock 1:48 Twist Hawken WITHOUT a QLA Muzzle. I have this mold in both .50 and .54 Cal, i have shot the .54 far more than the .50 Cal, i have seen the .54 Lyman Plains perform VERY well in 2 Stock 1:48 Twist rifles, the 1 that shot this Target below, and my Dad’s Stock TC Renegade .54 Cal. I dont own a Stock 1:48 Twist rifle in 50 Cal so I haven’t tested that, But I can’t imagine it not working well? My .50 Lyman Plains bullets are 1 of my more Accurate ones in my Fast twist GM LRH .50 Cal. I would rate it every bit as accurate as any of my Custom made molds. Lube and run them through a .501 Sizer, use a good Wool OP Wad, I’ll bet they perform well for ya :yeah: I think the key is the shorter .85 Length, and the Lyman Plains has more bearing surface than say the TC Maxi ball (I personally don’t like the TC Maxi, or any Maxi) These Lyman plains molds come up now and then on Ebay.

I know this is .54 Cal, But it is a Stock 1:48 Twist, My TC New Englander (Stock 1:48 twist) shot the Lyman Plains Very well sized to .533 and paper patched up. I stil prefer them lubed and sized, but it does work to PP the Lyman Plains

 

[Saxtonyoung]

Thanks Lewis,

Your Target looks very similar to the results I've been getting at 50 yards with the Lee 501-440 and Lee Minie. I was actually hoping I could produce clover leave at this range which may require a bullet .700 or shorter to satisfy the 50 caliber with 1-48 twist. There is nothing wrong with these groups for hunting purposes but am always looking to improve.