Lee REAL vs. Lee Minie

[alemonkey]

I'm looking to buy a conical bullet mould for a .50 muzzleloader. Does anyone have any experience in using the REAL vs. one of the Lee Minie moulds (modern, target, etc). I'm looking to get a Lee mould because I don't want to spend a whole lot on it.

The manual for my rifle (an old CVA sidelock) does say to not use bullets which need to be engraved into the rifling. I understand the REAL works in this way, but is this really a concern?

The minie does seem like it would be a better choice because it would be easier to load into a fouled barrel.

 

[Voodoochile]

The R.E.A.L. bullet is just that, a Rifling Engraved At Loading bullet but they are not hard to load at all but you need to keep your aloy at bare minimum of 98% pure lead like Adhesive Wheel Weights or better, using an Aloy like Clip on Wheel Weights will make loading a bit harder.

The heavier 320gr. REAL bullets shoot OK out of 1:48 twist barrels but the 250gr. will fare better accuracy from this twist, the 1:24 twist seem to like the longer/heavier bullet.

 

[arcticap]

The manual for my rifle (an old CVA sidelock) does say to not use bullets which need to be engraved into the rifling. I understand the REAL works in this way, but is this really a concern?

I think that it only serves as a precaution to be aware of since once loaded into the breech, a lead conical can move "up" & off of the powder charge if the rifle is held downward and then jostled during transport. Firing it in that condition could then cause a bulged or burst barrel.
Since lead conicals don't always hold as tight in the bore after they're rammed, I would try to keep the muzzle pointed upward when carrying it after being loaded.