44-77 Sharps paper patched load

[rdnck]

Switch to the Lawerence. You'll thank me later. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Eric Johanen]

I just placed an order for the Lawrence rear sight. Even though the percussion guns and 74 Military rifle have been discontinued for now, they have both the short and long staff sights in stock. Round and flat base. I requested the flat/long and should have it after Christmas. Looking forward to giving it a try. Casting, patching and loading over the weekend and plan to head to the range next week for more fire forming.

[Eric Johanen]

    Fire formed another 20 cases yesterday and now have enough to start load development. Used the Lawrence rear sight and Stephen's Hartford front. Have the irons centered now. 25 yard timed/rapid target at 100 yards benched cross sticks. Centered vertical string I'll call good enough!

[Don McDowell]

Looks like you've got a good start.

[Eric Johanen]

    Here is my first load test. 77 grains of OE 1.5fg, thin .450 card/ 1/8 " DGL cookie, .450 card, Brook's bullet seated to not interfere with throat fouling, and a CCI BR2 primer. I think the meplat will get the job done on hunting applications and hope it fly's well out to 600 yards. Hope to test this week and see how it goes at 100 yards.

[Mike]

Looks good from here. Let us know how it shoots!! Shoot sharp, Mike

[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.

[Mike]

Kurt, Did you mean .432" diameter? I'm asking because I might want one of those molds. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Don McDowell]

I prefer the dual diameter bullet in the adjustable mould from Brooks. .435 at the base and .431 on the nose section. 1.1 inches long and cast from 20-1 or harder it will shoot 90's at 200 and 300 yds, clean a pig line , or knock deer and antelope over stone cold dead. And all that can be done with no more fouling control than a blow tube. Lengthen it out to 1.29 and it'll do all the previous things but shoot to the 1k line with nary a hiccup..

[Kurt]

Yes Mike. Thank you.