Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[Distant Thunder]

Kurt,

My order for that bullet went in yesterday afternoon. When I called yesterday I got an entirely different response but a couple of emails cleared up any problems and it was listed sometime late yesterday.

The dimensions should be good for any grease groove chamber similar to Shiloh's standard GG chamber. The freebore in my rifle is .075-.080" long and the bullet will seat .120-.125" into the case with the angle up against the rifling lead angle. That overall length probably won't work out well in a 19-twist, would probably work ok in an 18-twist to 600 yards if the velocity is high enough, but it should work really well in a 17-twist and 16-twist out 1000 yards and beyond.

It is designed to be patched with 9# (.002-.0022") paper. The shank diameter should patch close to .438" with 9#. That would likely bring the base diameter to .448". I will size the patched base diameter to .447" to fit my freebore and JBA brass. That all should bring the fit very close to the same as my .40-65 2-DPPB and it has proven to be very accurate.

Hopefully the wait time will not be too long and I can get this bullet tested and a load worked up in time for Lodi in September. The .44-77 should work out with about 82-84 grains of 1 1/2 Swiss or similar powder. That should be work out well for Creedmoor.

I will be most interested in how it works out for you when yo get yours and get it tested. You have a variety of twist rates and cartridges to test it in and it will be very interesting to hear how the different ones handle it.

Are we having fun yet!