Source for cheap .50 muzzleloading bullets?

[John C]

I recently picked up a .50 muzzleloading rifle. In the deal came a bunch of Buffalo Ball-ets and Hornady 240 gr conical bullets. The rifle has a 1 in 28 twist, so round balls will have to be traveling very slowly in order to shoot well.

I'm looking around for options on how to plink targets in this rifle for a low price per shot. I'm also looking to try heavier bullets to find out what shoots well. I'm frankly surprised on how expensive muzzleloading supplies, other than patched round balls, are.

The cheapest price that I can find for maxi bullets is Dixie Gun works, 100 for $32.25. That's the price of .308 target bullets!

Does anyone have a cheaper source? I'm open to sabots and conventional bullets, but they're more expensive. Although I cast on occasion, work and family won't allow that until the fall, at least.

I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks,

-John

 

[EljaySL]

I hope somebody has some ideas but even with the larger roundball sizes they're kind of absurdly expensive versus casting. Niche item and all that. My approach would be to keep in mind that usually you don't shoot that many shots per session compared to modern rifle, so the cost per shot isn't quite so critical and you may not need whole lot more past the ball-ets you already have plus maybe a pack or two from dixie to get you to the fall when you can hopefully get in a casting session.

 

[rodwha]

Casting is where it's at.

I do know of someone who sells cast 320 grn .50 cal Lee REALs.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I buy bulk pack sabots and cast 250 gr bullets for .45 Colt.

 

[John C]

Rodwha;

PM sent. I really want to try heavier bullets to try to dial in the most accurate load. A 320 grain REAL is just the ticket.


ColtPythonElite;

Yes, that's part of the intermediate plan. Also included in the deal was a ~400 MMP sabots, some .452 and some .429. I have plenty of those cast and ready to shoot.

Still, from a cost perspective, if I were to buy cast bullets, that's $9 per 100 bullets, and $17 per 100 sabots. I guess that's really the way to go.

Thanks, fellas, for the good advice.

-John

 

[rodwha]

What I noticed in my Lyman's rifle at the 50 yd line was that my first REAL struck faaaaar left and had keyholed.

I've read that sometimes a felt wad helps, and I just so happened to have some. The next 2 were nearly touching and directly low of the bull.

Have felt wads on hand when you try. I think it's if you have a PRB rifling depth as mine does, which can allow blowby. My bore is ~.502" with .520" riflings according to Lyman.

If you don't have any send me a PM.

 

[John C]

Great advice. The first thing I bought when I go this rifle was .50 cal wonder wads. I'm a huge fan of these, I use them in my ROA and Pietta Remington revolvers. One question I have, though, is how well do wonder wads work with sabot rounds? The sabots I have are slightly hollow based. It makes perfect sense for a flat based or RB that they would work and cushion the projectile. But for hollow base projectiles, it seems like the wad would bunch up.

Thanks,

-John

 

[rodwha]

I'm not familiar with Wonder Wads or using sabots.

I buy rolls of felt and punch my own wads and lube them with Gatofeo's #1 homemade lube.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I started to post that I used to buy the Cheap Shot Sabots (lead .45 bullets with dished noses in .50 sabots) but cannot find them locally any more. Just the expensive jacketed hollowpoint hunting rounds, .45 or .44 JHP bullets in .50 sabots. (The Cheap Shots were perfectly adequate and affordable when I shot in muzzleloader matches at the local gun club. And would have been about as deadly for hunting truth be known.)

ColtPythonElite:
I buy bulk pack sabots and cast 250 gr bullets for .45 Colt.

That would be roll-my-own Cheap Shot Sabots. Why didn't I think of that?

 

[DD4lifeusmc]

I recently picked up a .50 muzzleloading rifle. In the deal came a bunch of Buffalo Ball-ets and Hornady 240 gr conical bullets. The rifle has a 1 in 28 twist, so round balls will have to be traveling very slowly in order to shoot well.

I'm looking around for options on how to plink targets in this rifle for a low price per shot. I'm also looking to try heavier bullets to find out what shoots well. I'm frankly surprised on how expensive muzzleloading supplies, other than patched round balls, are.

The cheapest price that I can find for maxi bullets is Dixie Gun works, 100 for $32.25. That's the price of .308 target bullets!

Does anyone have a cheaper source? I'm open to sabots and conventional bullets, but they're more expensive. Although I cast on occasion, work and family won't allow that until the fall, at least.

I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks,

-John

john C
I am normally at 1858 forum under same name. A member there PMed me about your post over here.
I hand cast numerous different pure lead projectiles for BP guns.
i am just one little guy that does it as a hobby and beer money!
For your 50 I have .490 rb and 320 grain Lee REAL bullets
RB 100 for $12 and 50 of the REAL for 12.
I ship USPS priority for $5.80 unless USPS raises their price.
Easiest way is to PM me there or email me at [email protected]
Or PM me here, I will check in daily.
I applied for a summer job at the national park 100 miles away, so I may be a tad slow responding.
I do my best to ship within 24 hr. I keep you posted.
Post office money order is preferred.
I have a few wholesale accounts with some other companies. I stock almost every accessory you could want or need. Just ask and I'll tell you if I have or can get and how much.

 

[John C]

DD;

Perfect. I'll send you a PM, and we'll take this offline.

Thanks,

-John

 

[John C]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! I knew if I shook the tree, I'd find some good information.

-John

 

[EljaySL]

Very cool - I'm glad somebody was able to make something work for you!