44-77 Sharps paper patched load

[J.B.]

All ..very sound advice Eric. I do believe its the rifles 'gestation' period that causes some ( read 'me' ) to play around with loading before they have their rifle to test chamber. Been there...done that . Looking forward to your foray into the realm of the 44's and your feedback along the way. I couldn't quite bring myself to order a period correct chamber but I've no regrets on the cartridge choice and Shilohs now standard 44/77 chamber is a pretty good place to start. Sounds like you're getting a handle on the brass now and be interested to see what your fired brass measures up at once you've fire formed. I'm not sizing my case necks much at all but being a gg chamber, albeit a tight gg chamber, I am sizing a little , around .464" but only down to about 3/10" of an inch. They are almost a slip fit. Fired cases run necks at .467/.468". I'm guessing you'll probably have none of that sizing business to worry about once you've fired your cases. Decap, wash, polish maybe and then load again. All sounds good. Enjoy.
J.B.