40-90BN and paper patch

[rdnck]

This is the Medford style bullet I am using. I think it would serve as a god hunting bullet.

That is not a Metford style bullet. A Metford bullet does not have a flat meplat on the nose. The Metford bullet has a round, not pointed or flat tip. That bullet might work as a hunting bullet with that flat nose. rdnck.

[Eric Johanen]

It is much closer to a Medford type than either an Elliptical or "Money" design. Just sent Brook's some bullets Stephen sent me only requested a slightly larger flat nose. I do not shoot game at more than 200 yards and the slightly bigger flat nose diameter should impact harder and disrupt more tissue better than a "target" bullet design. 440 grains shoots well and is heavy enough to give good service for hunting white tails or larger game. Currently using 75.0 grains of KIK 2fg behind it and want to test 2fg OE. I am using it patched to .439 for the 1'st shot and .436 for follow up shots to chamber easy over fouling. .436 is accurate enough for follow up shots within 200 yards. Either the 440 or 475 grain RN are working well on steel to 400 yards which seems to be my limit so far with the open iron sights. Lot's of fun with this rifle and the 44-77!

[Eric Johanen]

I should say that for the steel matches I stay with the largest target at distance simply because I can not see the smaller targets well using the open barrel sights. When the front sight blade gets larger than the target centering it up is difficult for my eyes. I do not shoot these matches with any intention of winning, just to see what the rifle is capable of in a hunting situation. On the largest target, if I do my part the rifle and ammunition shows very good hunting accuracy. With all of my Sharps rifles I do not attempt a shot longer than 200 yards because of the difficulties in range estimation under hunting conditions and the trajectory of the bullet. In northern Wisconsin shots further than 200 yards is a very rare situation and I pass on them out of respect for the animal. The 44-77 with Orville's chamber is working well for hunting conditions.

[Eric Johanen]

Is it possible with the 40-90 BN there is a overbore condition where the case is necked down to an point where the amount of powder is too great for the diameter of the bore? I know that this is possible with some modern smoke less cartridges and they can be a bear to get good accuracy from them. Not a problem with the 44-77 BN or the 44-90 BN as there is a larger bore to deal with the heavier powder charges. Also does not seem to happen with some of the 40-65 chambers or the 40-82 chambers. It does seem the 40-70 and 40-90 Straight cartridges have problems with accuracy. Burning too much powder for the smaller bore.

[Kurt]

Well the .220 swift is a good example for that. I had a Mod 64 win in the .220 and it would not hold a candle against the .22 varminter (.22-250) that can be pushed close to the same velocity.