Casting ML bullets

[fmlyarcher]

I'm new to muzzleloaders, bought a CVA Accura MR-X in .50 cal and shot my first time last Saturday and it was a lot of fun.  I'm looking for ways to shoot more often without breaking the bank and a lot of the cost is the bullets themselves.  I have everything to cast my own bullets which I've done a lot of previously for my 9mm using lead wheel weights.  I see that if I buy the plastic sabot encasements and cast a certain size of bullet I could reduce the cost per shot.  Basically making plinker bullets.  Have any of you done this?  If so was there a specific casting die you used?  I know that wheel weights aren't pure lead but if you use the sabot on the outside does it have to be pure lead?  If it's a sabot I'm assuming you don't have to use lube.  I've got an RCBS lubrisizer but with the sabot does it still need sized down to a specific thickness?
Any other suggestions for ways to get in more shooting to be more proficient?  Thank you!

[GWP]

You can use jacketed pistol bullets or pure lead or hard lead that are designed to expand at the speed you are shooting. I have sabots for 357 and 44. Sometimes they are a pain to get started though.
As long as they fit in the sabot and are snug in the barrel you are good to go.

[Farmer72]

If you are using Sabots you do not need lube or pure lead. For 50 cal. there are several different options for sabot sizes. The most common are 45 cal. bullets (.451"). Really if you are just doing it to burn powder and put bullets down range you can use what ever bullet as long as you have the right size sabot.

[callturner]

In my Accura I shoot a Harvester Black crush rib sabot with a .452 , 300 gr Speer Deep curl bullet. I would imagine that any .452 bullet would work. I use 84 weighed gr of Blackhorn 209 powder with a 209 primer. Make sure you have the Blackhorn breech plug if you decide to use it.

[fmlyarcher]

In my Accura I shoot a Harvester Black crush rib sabot with a .452 , 300 gr Speer Deep curl bullet. I would imagine that any .452 bullet would work. I use 84 weighed gr of Blackhorn 209 powder with a 209 primer. Make sure you have the Blackhorn breech plug if you decide to use it.

I've got the breech plug...but finding the powder is a whole other problem!  I found some Cheddite shotgun primers so I bought 2000 so I don't have to worry about finding primers for my ML again!

[fmlyarcher]

I've got bullet molds for a 230grain flat nose .452 bullet, and a 228 grain hollow point .452 bullet.  Anyone tried shooting these weights or types?

[JakeLand]

My opinion is You target shoot what You hunt with otherwise you’re just wasting powder

[callturner]

Yup

[fmlyarcher]

My opinion is You target shoot what You hunt with otherwise you’re just wasting powder

I wouldn't call any time behind the trigger getting reps in as a waste.  The more time I shoot the better I will be when I transition to my hunting rounds.

[Dirty Mike]

You can always cast conicals I've done a tone of shooting with Lee reals and shoot great, recently started casting Maxiballs made about 40 of them in about 20 min and they shoot great going to use them in my pistol this yr