Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[Distant Thunder]

At least the driver was a very nice, friendly young lady and that made me smile more than I already was, as always!

Besides the new barrel I mentioned that I had Kirk do an upgrade on my rifle which included a new breech block, with whatever the newer firing pin configuration is (?), mostly all new parts on the lock plate and trigger plate. It has a completely different feeling in the triggers. Oh yea, I fired it a couple time last evening. It's almost the 4th of July you know and a celebration was in order!

As I'm sure is not uncommon with this cartridge, I have more than one kind of brass. One of the things I wanted to do with this .44-77 was test several different bullets and at least a few different brass possibilities.

The brass I've made from other more available cases are all +.020". Some of the Jamison brass is right at 2.250, but some of it is already .015" to .020" short and hasn't been fire formed yet. I am little concerned about those cases with paper patch bullets.

I may have to finally set up to nib these short cases out the little more they need. In my experience with the .40-65 with PPBs .010" short will be fine but .020" short will cause paper rings every time. Unlike the .40-65 I can't just weed out the short ones and toss these .44-77 brass in the scrap can! Not after what they cost me!

I also have some of the BACO reformed .50-110 brass and I will be going through those too and I'll see how they are, but at first glance they look to be good.

I am so happy to finally be working with a rifle chambered in .44-77! I have a feeling this cartridge will suit me very well.