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Slow Twist and Short REALs

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rodwha

58 Cal.
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I’ve figured the shorter REALs were designed to work with the slower RB twists. Curious who sees this, or doesn’t, in a 1:60” rifle or 1:30” pistol.

I also figure these should do reasonably well in the 1:48” twist rifles.
 
That is why the Ballets, and the Pennsylvania conicals generally work in slow twist barrels. They are very short, kinda like a 1/2 ball and 1/2 conical.
 
I used the short reals almost exclusively in my Great Plains Rifle and they shot great. And maxi-balls were plenty accurate in it too in spite of what some try to claim. Pre-prejudice affects shooting more than choice of projectile.
 
And maxi-balls were plenty accurate in it too in spite of what some try to claim
Ain't no "try to claim" here..., maxi-balls in my 1:66 twist rate .45 barrel... fly like a football kicked for a field goal. :D
They gave me poor groups in larger sizes of .50 and .54 in my 1:48 TC barrels, BUT for some odd reason Maxi-hunters shot very well from those same barrels.
You should always see what works well in your individual barrel. Enfield reproduction rifles with slow twists shoot conical Minnie balls quite well, for example.

LD
 
I don't hunt or shoot conicals but have tested them in three different rifles; this was many years ago. In a Traditions .50 (1-48") they shot as well as the prb loads. In a .50 flintlock (1-60") they were accurate enough for hunting deer up to at least 50-60 yards. With a .54 (1-66") they gave usable hunting groups at about the same distance as the .50.
 
I started using the REAL conicals right after reading about them when the moulds first came out. Phil Spragenbaugh(?) wrote about them in GUNS & AMMO.
His test indicated using the lighter of the weights available in slow twist rifles. I had a 45 caliber Kentucky rifle with a 1:66 twist. I used the 200 grain mould. I found them to be very accurate to about 75 yards. As with any bullet mould, it's a good idea to weigh each bullet for consistency. I've had similar success with Ball-ets.
 
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