Nuttinbutchunks,
Most often your 1/48 will shoot saboted rifle bullets without a problem. Sabots really do not require lubrication thay are self-lubricating. Sitting Bore Buttter on top of AP might contaminate part of you load with moisture absorbed from the BB.
Are you lubricating the sabot to get it down the barrel? If you are you may want to change sabots there is a wide variety of sabots out there from thin to thick. Right now I think the Harvester "Crush Rib" is the thinnest followed by the MMP HPH-24.
I shoot several different side hammers from fast twist TC's to 1/48 twists. They work really well with 45 caliber bullets. I am shooting t7, your AP should be a cleaner burning load and will require less maintenance.
Make sure you follow you load requirements as directed in you manual.
I second jeager106 remarks do not be afraid to ask questions, you are shooting a traditional weapon you are just not shooting it traditionally - that will cause some problems with a few people on this forum, but believe me Graybeard would agree you have posted the question in the correct location.