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rodwhaincamo · March 23, 2014, 08:37 AM

That depends I think. A paper patched bullet doesn't need to be pure lead, but a REAL does as it's oversized, and a traditional Minie does as it's undersized and needs the skirt to expand to groove diameter.

I've only shot the Lee REAL, and it's about the same as loading a tight fitting PRB, but becomes very easy to fully seat compared to my .490" ball and .016" pillow ticking patch. But the few REALs I have seem to be slightly smaller than they are supposed to be, and don't seem to quite fill my ~.520" grooves, and require a felt wad to shoot well.

March 23, 2014, 08:37 AM	#3
rodwhaincamo Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,246	That depends I think. A paper patched bullet doesn't need to be pure lead, but a REAL does as it's oversized, and a traditional Minie does as it's undersized and needs the skirt to expand to groove diameter. I've only shot the Lee REAL, and it's about the same as loading a tight fitting PRB, but becomes very easy to fully seat compared to my .490" ball and .016" pillow ticking patch. But the few REALs I have seem to be slightly smaller than they are supposed to be, and don't seem to quite fill my ~.520" grooves, and require a felt wad to shoot well.