Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[Distant Thunder]

Arnie and I dimensioned this bullet to fit the Shiloh standard grease groove chamber using .002" paper because that is the chamber that I had Shiloh put in this 17-twist Krieger barrel. By adjusting the paper down and, if necessary, sizing the base it should be very good in any .44 caliber rifle where the freebore isn't longer than about .125".

If I had time before Rapids I would do a ladder load test with my 1 1/2 Swiss and the Federal 215 LRM primers, but with rain forecast for the next three days that's not going to happen. I'll just have to go with the 86 grain load and shoot my best!

Which rifle will you use for Rapids? Scope?

I put a tang sight on my .44-77 this week and hope to get a 220 yard sight setting between the rain drops that I will then use to guesstimate a 300 and 600 yard setting. I should be at least close enough so my spotter can walk me to the center. I just need about 3 hour with no rain to get a no wind zero and a sight setting.

I have a very good feeling about this bullet at 1000 yards, it should hold up well. I will shoot my .44-77 for the Fall Classic at Lodi. I'll shoot my.45-70 Hepburn for the Creedmoor Cup.

I was surprised that 86 grains of 1 1/2 only gave me 1293 fps with a 507 grain bullet. That is the same velocity I get from my. 45-70 with a 530 grain bullet and 83 grain of the same powder. I really thought I would be much closer to 1350. It is what it is!