Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[Distant Thunder]

JB,

I began with just two matches a year both shot at 800, 900 & 1000 yards, one in the spring and one in the fall. All my load development and testing was done at those two match. It was a long, slow learning curve. Sometimes there would be little improvements, sometimes there would be catastrophic failure and I learned from both. Many, many better shooters helped me along the way and I am forever grateful for the help they gave me.

Eventually I found out about other smaller matches, some closer some not. I was doing a lot of shooting and any shooting is good even if it's not your best score there are things that can be learned. Sometimes it's what not to do ever again!

The first match with this rifle should be interesting. I'll review my notes on the development of my loads for the .40-65 and figure out where I go from here with this one. It would probably be better to shoot when it's not so gusty or at least set out my ribbons so I can watch for those gusts and hold up.

With the scope this rifle weighs about 13 1/4 lbs but 80 to 82 grains of 1 1/2 Swiss is about all I care to be shooting under a 520 grain bullet at least from the bench. I'll be moving to prone off sticks pretty soon to get ready for match shooting.