.54 cal. sabot 1 in 60 twist?

[fariagaurd]

It is OK to use .45 and or .50 cal bullets that are short and heavy for caliber in a .54 cal. sabot in a rifle with a 1 in 60 twist?

I have a Lyman Great Plains front stuffer in .54 cal w/ a 1 in 60 twist. I understand this is optimal for round balls. At the time of purchase I was a newbie to black powder and did not know I should have purchased the Great Plains Hunter with a faster twist to stabilize longer conical bullets.

I'm trying to avoid spending another $400 on a replacement barrel from Lyman, I want to extend my range and thump on target.

Colorado mule deer and elk are the game. I have access to land but the animals are wary due to human activity and the closest I can get is 125-150 yards. Any load information that has worked for you or thoughts would be helpful?

Thanks!

 

[RMc]

The Lee R.E.A.L. 300 grain, .54 caliber short conical is designed for slow twist barrels.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1201/1/LEE-90398

 

[Curator]

The rifling in the GPR is not ideal for Sabots and the twist rate won't stabilize elongated bullets. As RMc advises, the Lee R.E.A.L. .54/3oo is designed for slow twist barrels and will usually shoot quite accurately once you work up a load your rifle likes. I have found that the Lee REAL bullet often shoots more accurately with a good card or hard felt wad between it and the powder charge.

 

[rodwha]

I sent some .50 cal 250 grn REALs to a fella who had a slow twist and wanted a bit more oomph for an elk hunt. They didn't work well for him.

I have a Lyman Deerstalker with the deeper PRB grooves and mine shoots the 320 grn REALs quite well when I use a felt wad. Prior to a wad it keyholed and was was well left (a foot) and low at 50 yds.

 

[Shortgrub]

I sent some .50 cal 250 grn REALs to a fella who had a slow twist and wanted a bit more oomph for an elk hunt. They didn't work well for him.

I have a Lyman Deerstalker with the deeper PRB grooves and mine shoots the 320 grn REALs quite well when I use a felt wad. Prior to a wad it keyholed and was was well left (a foot) and low at 50 yds.

I've never had any luck with any sabot in a slow twist. 1-48 or less will start to stabilize conicals or sabots.