Period correct '74 Sharps Buffalo Rifles?

[MikeR]

I agree that the paper is too thick, but the bullet may still be too big for a BN case. If you were loading a .44-anything straight, I would say your bullet diameter is spot on(.010" less than bore diameter). For my .45 rifles I use a bullet that is .440" and patch it up to .446". This provides adequate accuracy for hunting out to 350 yards or more and the rounds drop into the chamber with a fouled bore for many shots and allow a loaded round to be removed with the bullet still in the case. I tried this "formula" with my .44-2 1/4 SBN and the second round would not chamber with out blowing into the breach. Unless you are going to shoot immediately, loading a PP bullet into a wet chamber is not a good idea, not to mention having to take your eyes off the game to blow into the breach. With the chamber you have ordered in your rifle, that bullet might work if you use the Seth Cole 55W paper and rdnck's lube.

You might want to wait until you have the rifle so you can try some bullets and not order a mistake mould. I had the same problem when using my .40-2 1/2 SS bullet in my .40-2 5/8 SBN.