Come on, Mike, the shooter has to do something!

Another issue that has cropped up is that the brass from Rocky Mountain Cartridge has a slightly larger rim diameter 0.615 as compared to the Starline 45-2.6 which is 0.610. The Starline of course uses a RCBS #14 shell holder with the RMC using a #5 (like my 348). In fact the CH4D dies for 40-90BN specify the use of a #5. Makes me wonder about the size of the extractor used by Shiloh. I already have an excellent long range Sharps in my 45-2.6. I am intrigued by the muzzle velocity that the 40-90BN is capable of. I am thinking that with a 14 twist barrel, 420 grain PP bullets, heavy gun, and wiping between shots that this could make for an interesting long range cartridge.It sounds like the standard chamber is the way to go and that with a proper bullet the standard lead will work just fine. Both my 40-65 Hiwall which has a Shiloh chamber with a 0.600 length straight neck and my 50-90 Roller which also has a tight chamber (Dave Manson) with no throat to speak of shoot PP reasonably well I just have not shot PP in them as much as I have with the 2.6. At least with a standard chamber the wads will be easier to get in the case.Thanks for the responses! They definitely have added some food for thought.

DT, thank's for the kind words about my 44-77 with Orville's chamber. You have observed me shoot it at the Merrill steel match several times and it does work quite well out to 400 yards with the barrel sights. If I do my part the shots all land in the heart/lung area of the target, perfect for a hunting rifle. ( Just have not got it on at 500 yet!) I really do like this rifle and it is doing exactly what it was intended for. I have not done enough work to decide it likes the 440 grain Medford type bullet better than the 475 grain traditional RN. (both Brook's molds). Both seem to work nicely at 400 yards and reasonable hunting distances. With your build using the standard Shiloh chamber I'd expect it to perform very well at long range. I'd try a dual diameter design with that chamber to lessen the brass working and would expect similar results as you are having in your 40 and 45 caliber rifles. Might we see it on the line this coming season? Loading 44's today for the next range day and do hope to have my 77 before the winter closes in just to try it out and form some brass.

If you're going to hunt, stay away from the Metford bullet. It zips through without imparting any shock to the animal. The original Sharps design bullet is a far better choice for hunting. Shoot straight, rdnck.

Eric,

I'm hoping to have my .44-77 shortly after Christmas. January and February are not good months for load development here in Wisconsin as you know. I should at least be able to fire from some brass and work on the fit of my paper patch bullets in preparation for the balmy days of March.

Yes, a 2-diameter pp bullet will be in the works once I have the rifle and do a chamber cast to get the info I'll need for that. That is the design I really want to test in this .44.

It's been my experience that without good target sights 500 yards is pretty hard to get consistent hits on those gongs, at least with my eyes. I know others can thread a needle at 900 yards with barrel sights, but that ain't me!

Having wanted a .44-77 for a dozen years or more I have watched you having all that fun with yours when we're at Merrill and that had rekindled my desire. It just took me a while to think through the idea of rebarreling my .45-70 Shiloh. I did the math and I really don't shoot that rifle much at all. A .44-77 would be way more entertaining, so off to Shiloh it went.

I could have made better barrel choices for their setup, but I moved a little too fast and Kirk was a little slow in responding to my questions. Once he and I got to talking it went much better. I know he is a busy man and I was too eager to move. It just means I'll have to wait a little longer and it will cost a bit more maybe, but he assured me that it would get done and done correctly. All is good!

Now I just wait. Take care and I'll see you at Merrill next season.

This is the Medford style bullet I am using. I think it would serve as a god hunting bullet.        

Eric;

Man that is a nasty looking torpedo in that launch tube ! Smile
Are you going to let me shoot that at Rapids next spring ?
I have a .40-65 Browning BPCR I been thinking about rechambering it to this caliber. Keep us updated with your load progress with it.
Can you give me a measurement on how far that shoulder is ahead of the rim ? If it's about like the .40-65 I have a throating reamer that might be enough to extend the neck. If it works it will save getting a chamber reamer made. The back log getting one made by all the shops is a long wait.

Kurt

Kurt, best as I can measure with my dial caliper is 1.465 from ahead of the rim to the shoulder. Finishing loading up some of the 475 grain RN bullets (mold cut by Brooks based on the bullets you sent me. Patch is 27/32 with 3/32 folded under the base. These have shot pretty well. The 440 grain Medford style bullet also has done good work out to 400 yards on steel. This mold was also cut by Brooks from some bullets Stephen sent me. He uses this bullet for hunting and has had pretty good results based on the photos he has posted. I am now dry patching both bullets with 18 thousands rag bond paper it seem to be working well. Of course you can shoot it any time we get on the range.

TNX.Eric. Looking forward to it.

(10-17-2019, 12:34 PM)Eric Johanen Wrote: This is the Medford style bullet I am using. I think it would serve as a god hunting bullet.

That's a good looking bullet. From the picture it looks more like an elliptical than a money bullet. Regardless, it looks like a good long range bullet.