Shiloh Sharps 44-77 paper patch

[Eric Johanen]

In continuing to work with this rifle and tight paper patch chamber my accuracy is still improving and the load is working very well. Taking a break from charging cases and thought to give a progress report. I've taken to sizing the wet patched bullets thru a Lee sizer at .439 for uniformity and with as fired brass I can seat the bullets with slight friction fit, enough to handle without the bullet moving in the case. Using the Meacham bushing at .458 the fit is better and it brings all cases to the same I.D. Probably sizes the mouths about 1/2 thousand under as fired diameter. With the .457 and .456 bushings I can match the fit with wrapped bullets using Seth Cole 55w and 55y for a slightly smaller bullet for dirty shooting. Accuracy with all combinations is quite good. In the field I can just clean and re-prime the cases and load using the fired cases. Pretty nice! Have good zeros at 1,2,3 and 4 hundred yards. Have not had enough time at 5 and 6 to establish a solid zero and am thinking about putting the MVA tang sight on the rifle to get those zeros and match up to the slider bar on the Lawrence rear. I have hope to try 500 and 800 on steel yet this season and with the MVA hope to get some hits. Have 120 cases to fit the chamber and still have about 40 more to work up this winter. I have ordered another mold from Brook's in the form of a round nose 480 grain base pour bullet. With these 2 bullets I should have the bases covered. Both 2 fg OE and KIK are working very well with just a slight edge to the KIK powder. Must say that with help from forum members this cartridge has been very easy to develop accurate loads for. This Shiloh Hartford 44-77 paper patch chambered rifle is becoming my favorite.