44-77 Sharps paper patched load

[Kurt]

Eric.

The .19 twist .44-77 Shiloh is a very good combination. One thing that I have found shooting the .44-90 BN and the .44-77 with the 1/19 ROT is, I could never get the accuracy from bullets that have a long radius pointed noses for the .44-77 for my satisfaction. These improved shooting in the heavier loaded .44-90. They worked OK out to around 400 yards in the 19 twist .44-77. I turned down this bullet on the lathe that matches the bullets used in the original rifles, it was not a Sharps only bullet.

I sent this to Steve brooks and told him to make a adjustable mould that matches this bullet and I want it .332" diameter so it's not to tight using just very thin paper I might not be able to get in the future.
Well Steve hit it on the nose. The first trip out using this bullet I shot it here in my yard at the 130 yard range I have and shot three rounds using the Lawrence sight and the blade that I had on the rifle before Stephen made a Hartford sight for it. When shooting paper I use a 6 o-clock hold so I get a better sight picture. Well the first 5 shots using 75 gr of 2F KIK and I had the mould set at 1.330" and it shot a 1.5/8" group.
I went back to the mole den and loaded some ladder loads from zero compression to .350" with 2F KIK and also using 2F OE. I ended up using and still use the OE. The best load was 68 gr of 2F OE. it shot 3/4" 3 shots. 3 Shots using 66 gr 3F OE shot 1-1/8" at 130 yards.
Getting ready for the last buff hunt the 68 gr of 2F OE with that bullet at 485 gr shot 5 shots inside 1-7/8" using a scope at 200 yards. And this bullet will reach 1585 yards, round nose and all
I used Win LR primers and for hunting I used that bullet patched .0012" under bore diameter so it would load for a follow up shot.
Work with ladder loads, It will cut down your development time.
I like the .44-77 so well that I just drew up a new reamer to be ground for a second .44-77.