Is it necessary to size cast conicals? want to try lee REAL conicals but no press or dies. if I dont size would that dramatically affect acuracy and/or super difficult to seat bullet?
Also do u need wad w conicals? thanks!

Lee REALs should not be sized. They should be cast in pure soft lead only. They have three driving bands. The bottom band (at base of bullet) will just about fit the bore. The middle band is a little larger and will be partially cut by the rifling. The top band is larger yet, and will be cut by the rifling andwill fill the grooves. In my guns, they shoot best with a card or fiber wad.

Rifling Engaged At Loading - REAL conicals do not have to be sized, although if you do, don't take too much off of them. I sized some once and shot them in my Knight. They did not do all that well. Like Semisane, I find they shoot best if not pushed too hard, and a card will help with some rifles.

I believe in sizing my bullets. I also do not have any faith in Lee molds. IMO sizing definitely affects accuracy. However I do not shoot a wad under my conicals. As a matter of fact in the past I did not lube my MZ bullet's, but I am going to this year. I imagine my answer is not what you wanted to hear, but IMO there are no short cuts. Tom.

I shoot the REAL 320 grain in my Trade Rifle and do not size them. In fact, I only size the bullets I cast that are to be cartridge loaded. If I'm shooting a ML, I want the lead to fill up the grooves upon loading so that it engages the rifling as much as possible.
With pure soft lead, you will be filling the grooves of the rifling, and sizing may rob some of that.

Would some one please explain to me why MZ shooter's think that pure lead, or for that matter any lead bullet will not obturate??? I can not figure this one out. If a lead bullet will not expand then how does the White slip fit bullet shoot so well??? Why would you want to mark up your bullet during loading??? Are they afraid the bullet will fall out??? Or not stay seated on the powder??? How could a Barnes solid brass bullet obturate in a 45-70 at 1400 fps, but a lead bullet not obturate at 1600 fps???

Personally I believe the bullet will expand just fine, and I do not want my bullet to be marked til it is fired. IMO just size your bullet the same, and go for as loose of a fit as you can without the bullet falling out. The lead will expand just fine. I have just shot too many bullets to believe otherwise. And yes I also believe straight WW will expand just fine, in the rifling and in game. Tom.

Different strokes for different folks. I want the PUREST lead I can get both for maximum (and fastest)obturation as well as best expansion in game. And I do lube it, and size them to just barely engage the rifling as they go down the bore. Yes, there is concern of an undersized conical falling out and it has happened more than once (but not to me).

The argument about using harder alloys is pretty simple to discount when taken to the extreme. Compare expansion of a full metal jacket bullet to a soft nosed spitzer.

Show me some accuracy results with substantially harder alloys in a muzzleloader.To suggest using a harder alloy with a bullet such as the REAL is surely a mistake - unless you like deep bruises in your palms.

So far as the REALs, I think half nutz pretty well nailed it - except I would suggest the top band on a REAL would rarely fill the grooves of the rifling. Partially - yes, completely - no.

Half Nutz? Half Nutz???? Who you calling half nutz, underclocked?

Wondered if you would catch that.

Semisane or half ....

I suppose just from reading and talking with others, I've gathered that the softer the lead, the better. This may just be for ease of loading. I'm no expert, just giving my opinion.
I use LEE molds for 3 different bullets and haven't had an issue with them. You get what you pay for, and LEE is the least expensive way to get into reloading and casting.
If it wasn't for that, I doubt I could have afforded to start when I did.
I own a couple of Lyman molds and one RCBS. I still use the LEE molds just as much as I used to, and when they die on me , I'll get some more.