Pulled the trigger

[Don McDowell]

Shiloh #1, 32 inch standard barrel... 44-77 use the 7 degree lead reamer.

[Distant Thunder]

Woohoo! Any idea how long, Don?

I just ordered a JIM431ADJ mold from BACO, they said 5 weeks. That should time out fine with my rebarreled .44-77 from Shiloh. I hope to have it up and running for next year. This mold will give me something to shoot as soon as I have the rifle and I'll have more time to design and make a Creedmoor bullet. The maximum length would 1.340".

I did start design on a 1.450" long paper patch prolate that will be a 2-diameter bullet for Creedmoor. I'm keeping the nose at .650" on this one and it should hold up very well out to 1000 yards from my 17-twist.

[Gunlaker]

Don why the standard weight barrel? You gonna shoot sillywet with it?

I have a 34" standard weight barrel on one of their 1874's. It was my first Shiloh. I bought it used from the local gun store.

It's really accurate and holds well for offhand, although I'm more fond of the heavy guns for prone.

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

Jim I don't think you're going to like that .431 diameter bullet at all... Trust me been there done that. I didn't ask what the wait time is now, but what ever it is will be fine.

Chris, the 32 inch standard weight barrel, 1 because I have 2 other rifles that way and really like the way they handle. 2 I'm thinking when Rick Weber gets that 150th anniversary Creedmoor match to the big day a few years from now, shooting a rifle pretty close to the spirit of the original Creedmoor guns would be a cool thing to do. 3 I just flat like the 44's
The #1 45-70 I have with the 32 in barrel shoots really well, and while some think the recoil won't be fun, I don't think it'll be a problem what so ever.

[Kurt]

Jim I have a couple .431" diameter bullets I use paper that is .0018" and .002" and they are a nice snug fit in the shiloh barrel. I also use a .433 but I don't have supermans thumb seating them using .0022" paper. If I do force that round in the chamber with a lightly compressed powder load it changes the compression and I get a bunch of vertical. Order the bullet diameter for the paper you use.
You have the ability to increase the bullet diameter it that .431" is too small. It will make a fine 2 diameter when your done
Heck you know what your doing, your mostly on the top of the leader boards at the end of the matches

[Distant Thunder]

Kurt,
My usual paper will add .007 + maybe a hair. That will be .438" + diameter. The bore on my barrel is .4365", if anything the bullet will be tight with my paper. I will size it to exactly the fit I want. I have other papers also so I'll make it work one way or another. Changing the size is always an option. A 2-diameter bullet I will hopefully handle separately. I am working on that now.

Don,
Why won't I like that bullet? Give me your thinking on that please?

I have no idea when my rifle will be back either, it is what it is.

[Don McDowell]

Tried the bullets in that diameter poor accuracy unless using thuck paper
Thick paper causes a lot of dirt diggers
Fatter bullets thin paper seems to be where the 44’s thrive when looking for long range accuracy
Talking x rings not a half bullet on a gong some place

[Distant Thunder]

Don,

Thank you for the explanation. If I need to adjust the diameter and run thinner paper that's what I'll do. This will be a learning experience for me and I'm sure I'll have question for you when I get started. I'm still going to get the mold. If it doesn't satisfy I'll sell it or alter it. My best bullets have come from molds I altered, pp or gg either way. The 2-diameter prolate I plan to make myself and if this is anything like my other rifles it will take a few alterations and/or molds before I'm satisfied. It's part of the game for me.

[Don McDowell]

Jim it’s somewhat surprising how the 44 seems to thrive on thinner paper

[Gunlaker]

That makes sense to me Don. From the little bit I heard from Kenny, that match sounds pretty cool.

Chris.