In the mailbox

[Don McDowell]

Jim it was last fall, the EPA went on the warpath and shut down all the rifle builders in Montana anyway. Put out the decree that bluing could only be done in certain atmospheric conditions and a whole bunch of other over bearing regulations.
Kirk and the Shiloh crew being the innovative bunch they are built a separate building for the bluing operations that would get around the edicts as handed down. They were able to blue a very few rifles when conditions were met, but it really slowed them up, and then shortly after they got that all done, here come the Chinese.....

[Distant Thunder]

I just got a call from Kirk at Shiloh. He doing the final assembly of my rifle today and wanted to know if I would want him to do an upgrade on my breech block and firing pin, which I of course told him go ahead and do.

So it should ship today if he can get it all done or Monday if he doesn't finish it today. That's all good news to me! Of course then once it arrives the real work begins. It'll take me a couple weeks to get everything ready for load development and all. I will enjoy every minute of it.

[Don McDowell]

You're going to like that cartridge.

[Distant Thunder]

I know I have put more time and effort, not to mention money, into this cartridge before having the rifle than I ever have any of the other BPCRs I have. I believe it will satisfy my need to experiment with something a little different very well. All I've read says it is not that hard to get very good accuracy with the .44-77 chambered in modern rifles. Originals always present their unique challenges.

I've got matches starting in July that will allow me test whatever I'm able to work up over the next couple of weeks. That's not much time so I'll see how it goes. I should be able to get something put together that shoots halfway decent with my limited mold choices at this time and the powders I have on hand.

I do have a bunch of bullets to try thanks to you guys and that should give me agood idea of what direction to go with my future mold choices. The 17-twist should give me a lot of options bullet wise.

[J.B.]

That's great news Jim ! We haven't had the 'expectant father stress levels' that you've had...but we've certainly been along for the ride with you. Will be good to be along for the load developments and discoveries as they come to light. Congratulations and looking forward to the next chapters.
J.B.

[Distant Thunder]

Gavin,

The words of encouragement from the other .44-77 shooters here have brought me back to focus at least a few times when the twists and turns of this project have made me feel helpless and hopeless. It has been 11 months and at times it was hard to imagine how things could go more off the rails, so many stops and restarts.

As it turns out there was no second call from Shiloh today, not surprised, so that means a Monday shipment is pretty solid.

If there is interest here I will certainly post my efforts and thoughts for all to read. I've done so much research on loading this cartridge that I've just about wore the letters off my computer keys! I've got pages and pages of printed stuff and notes that have given me a pretty good idea of where to start and I'll let the targets and match results guide me from there, as I always have.

And if I find myself scratching my thinning hair looking for answers I know where to ask for help. This forum is a great aide when covering new ground.

The goal will be silhouette, mid-range and long-range matches with paper patch bullets and maybe some hunting thrown in for good measure. Kind of a one rifle to do it all idea. We'll see just how much of that can be realized. I'll have fun traveling this road wherever it leads, it's all about the journey. I'm just a little excited to get started.

[beltfed]

Indeed, it will be an interesting Journey, Jim,
We Pray that it will not be too stressing, but Gratifying.
Anything I can do to help, somehow, please ask
beltfed/Arnie

[Don McDowell]

Jim get that thing up and running pack the camper and come shoot the Money Match in Byers over the July 4th weekend.

[Kurt]

Jim, I just got conformation the Alma is on in July.


We just got confirmation tonight that the match is on for July 9-12. Practice and a 22 silhouette match is Thursday at 2:00. The 40 shot big bore matches will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 22 cost is $15 and big bore is $30/day. Dinner options for Saturday are being discussed. We will let you know the decision.

[Griff]

Hopefully I'm not out of place commenting here. I have a Distant Thunder Tang sight on the shelf to look at while I wait for my Shiloh Sharps. I placed the order in August 2019 when we were visiting Big Timber. I'm also planning on a 44-77 and doing my own research. I don't have nearly the level of experience that many here have, but I have high hopes. I just retired too, so one thing that I do have is time...

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