.44-77 and paper patch?

[Don McDowell]

I think if BACO is using that 50-110 brass it would be a much better route than the 348, and should solve any case availably issues.

The loads I use the most is 77 grains of OE 2f, a napa rubber cork wad and the muzzleloader original dry lubed felt wads under a patched bullet. 76 grains of OE 1.5 also shoots very well.
I had Brooks build a .435 diameter bullet 1.29 inches long with his "new" postel nose that when cast from 18-1 comes over the scale at 460 grains. It holds very well at 1000, and as a matter of fact saved my bacon from a complete disaster on the 1000 yard target at the Nationals a few years back. That 434475 bullet I had BACO build just couldn't take the wind in the 19 twist beyond 800. I will divert a bit here, and say that bullet in the 44-90 st with it's 17 twist holds scarily tight all the way to 1000. Funny what that tiny bit of extra length will do to screw things up at distance.
The thing I like about the dual diameter bullet that I gave you is that with the jojoba oil on the patch can be blowtubed like a greaser and hold good accuracy. Mike Venturino and I had a good laugh at the Utah state match when I cleaned the first 2 banks of pigs with the 44-77 blowtubed.. his quote "you know those bottle neck cases won't shoot and you can't blow tube paper patch according to the experts, so there's no way we are seeing all those pigs laying on the ground".. It also makes a fine hunting bullet that will drop elk so fast that they almost beat their shadow to the ground.
I like Shiloh's reamer with the 7* lead built into the reamer. Altho there really are no flies in the ointment with their standard reamer.

Another thing I'm starting to develop a theory on is paper thickness, using thin paper such as 8 lb and 7 lb eliminates the dreaded paper rings with standard chambers, especially when coupled with the dual diameter bullets, and straight sided bullets that are just a touch under bore diameter before patching.

On another diversion ,the Wyoming State match is probably going back to an early June date , so if you folks of the Lodi Legend keep the May dates for the Cup and State match, you probably better get those border guards trained up and on patrol, cuz I know a couple of Wyoming ruffians that are thinking to jump the fence and make a return to the land of cheese and brats. So keep us posted on your 44-77 journey, one of them can bring you a selection of bullets.