Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[rdnck]

I have a hunch that the Sharps bullet will out shoot the one from BACO. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Don McDowell]

Jim don't sweat the case length until the cases have 2 or 3 firings. Paper rings aren't much of a problem if you wipe between shots.

[Distant Thunder]

Bill,

That is exacting what my experience has been. That design has been the easiest for me to get good accuracy with in a several different rifles.
I have been told by some that they don't carry as far as higher BC designs, but that's not what I have seen. They remain stable longer, farther than the pointed designs do for me.
Think transonic!

[Distant Thunder]

Don,

You are correct about paper rings, but really rather avoid them if I can.

[Don McDowell]

Jim just using blackpowder the cases don't really fully firearm for 2 or 3 times thru. The length will grow.
Tried a few cases with BH209 and a few with 5744, ended up giving those to a person with a C Sharps, as they swoll so bad they weren't much good in my Shiloh. And that's when I figured out why you never ever saw smokeless loads for the 44-77 in the old catalogs...

[Distant Thunder]

A load of 700X and COW blew out the shoulders pretty good on the couple I tested last evening. I think I'll be able to do the first fireforming with that and then shift to black and PPB. In that way I'll never have to send any gg bullets down my barrel, that would make me happy.

I'm headed to my shop now to mount the sights and scope. Then I can take a picture and post it here. This afternoon I'll begin the first round of fireforming. Much to do yet, I better get started.

[Kurt]

Jim, did the rounds you fired in my rifle chamber ?

[Eric Johanen]

I just returned from the range and am on the road to Progress rather than Perdition. To be consistent on the SR 200 yard target I am holding the post of my Hartford front sight level with the top of the slider centered in the notch at 6 O'clock. Bullets impacted between the middle of the 10 ring to the top of the 9 ring. Much lower than my pervious outing. I will take a bit more off the bottom of the slider and set it to impact center with that hold. I should be able to maintain a consistent sight picture at 200 yards with this adjustment Will get this figured out with a little bit more work! Jim I hope you have as much fun with you 44-77 as I am! Paper patch is the true way.

[Distant Thunder]

Eric,
I'm having all kinds of fun and I haven't even fire a shot yet.

Kurt,
Yes, those all fit fine and the Jamison brass seems to fit well, but it is way undersize for that purpose. The brass I made from other brass has some minor problems that I am addressing. That was really to be expected since I did not have a rifle to fit them to when I was making them.

I got the scope bases on today, that went pretty smooth. When I went to put the front sight on I removed the level and retaining knobs and put them aside. When I had the sight in place I went to put the level back in and I could not find it to save my butt! Eventually I did locate it just a little ways from where I had put it. Apparently I had moved it out of my way and not even realized it. Small parts can be hard to see if you don't look right at them!

I still have to put the wood back on and the tang sight. Then it should be ready to start shooting.

[Kurt]

Are you going to Rapids Sat? it might be a good time to give it a try past 200. But I think it's a .22 match.