Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[Distant Thunder]

So I loaded up 3 each of 80, 82 and 84 grains of 1 1/2 Swiss. I had to adjust the seating depth about .060" deeper. It's the same lot of Swiss just a different can (bottle), but I could not get any compression on 80 grains unless I went deeper. Never noticed anything like that before.

The bullets ended up all at .220" in the case. I'd also note that this .431" bullet patched with my 9# paper is a really snug push into the bore, which is the way I like it.

Two hours after the first 3 shots this morning I was back outside and shot 3 more 3-shot groups at 200 meters. I didn't change the target paper or my scope setting when I shot the second 3 with 80 grains. A very light breeze from one o'clock was blowing for the second group. When I shot the first group this morning the smoke just hung in front of me for 3 to 4 minutes before I could even see the target. There wasn't much wind but it did push the second group down and slightly left. The first 80 grain group is about 2 1/4", the second one is closer to 2 inches.

I came down 2 1/2 moa and shot the 82 grain load. I went back to center and then 3 moa more and shot the 84 grain load. All in all I'd say the 80 grain shot a bit better and had less recoil but none shot bad. The 82 and 84 grain load were just a bit more spread and not such nice triangles like the 80 grain.

I'll do some more shooting with the 80 grain load, but I don't see any reason it wouldn't work for the match at Rapids.

The other picture is some of the confetti on the ground in front of my bench. I read a lot about fine confetti, it don't get much finer than this. I don't worry about confetti much, I worry more about the target, but if you like fine confetti this oicture is for you.