Development of PP loads for the .44-77.

[beltfed]

So, taking a note from a guy named Jim K, why why are you at 0.340" from the case mouth.
Should it not be more like 0.1" from the case mouth of powder, plus 0.060" wad to finger seat just below the
case mouth, and then slight compression to allow maybe Jim K's famous minimal seating of PP bullets maybe
0.100 or less in the case.
That is how I get 75 gr Swiss 1.5 in my 40-65
and 68 gr in my 38-50. Base band in the 371360E is only 0.125" long...

And you ask how did the ODGs get 90 grains in?
beltfed/arnie

[Distant Thunder]

Now, Arnie, this is why I'm struggling with the numbers on this bottleneck cartridge I just don't know anything about bottlenecks for sure, just what others are saying.

This also why the two molds I have for this rifle are bore diameter. That way I can experiment with seating depth and find out what is going to work for me. Then I can design a 2-D bullet to work at the optimal depth whether that's .500" or .050".

If both shallow and deep can be made to work it would be great. I would load deep for silhouette and shallow for Creedmoor.

It will be much easier to find out what works for me in this rifle when I have it in my hands for awhile. Until then all I have is questions!

Maybe bottlenecks are different than straight cases.

[Kurt]

Now Jim, your just going to have to do away with those patched bore riders and get a groove diameter patched and breach seat them then you will get 1300 fps +and better accuracy too boot

[Distant Thunder]

Kurt,

I'll find a way to make this work, it may take some time but I'll get there. And if in the end all I end up with is a sexy lookin' bottleneck loaded with sexy paper patch bullets that are lumbering along 1150 fps I can live with that for everything but Creedmoor.

[Don McDowell]

This original bullet I have clearly shows the base of the bullet was 1/2 inch below the case mouth. It measures .438 at the base and won't drop into the muzzle of my Shiloh's.
I'm of the mind that the 1f they used was much closer to what we call 1 1/2 or 2f today, and to get the 90 grs. in they mashed the crap out of it, probably ended up having case separations, and that's why the longer neck of the "creedmoor" case they settled on.

[Eric Johanen]

My club has just started a cast bullet match and the 1'st outing is tomorrow. 200 yards off the bench. I'm going to shoot the Hartford 44-77, Lawrence rear and Hartford front sight. 76 grains of OE 2 fg and 480 grain 20 to 1 dry patched. I do need the practice and will give a report of the match and my results.. Jim you will have a bunch of fun with that 44. Things are finally loosening up here and range time is a necessity. I really go like this Shiloh and the 44-77.

[Don McDowell]

Good luck and squeeze center in your upcoming match Eric.

[Distant Thunder]

Hi, Eric!
Good to see you chime in.

The .44-77 is just so cool. I first looked into it back in 2004, but for reasons of brass expense and scarcity I decided not to go that route.

Then when you showed up at Merrill with yours and I watched you having so much fun shooting it with paper patch the seed was replanted. It took me until last summer to decide to go with it and another year to get it done, but if all goes well on Wednesday I'll finally have my .44-77 in my hands! I have high hopes for it but the main goal will be accomplished by just having it and shooting it. Thank you for your part in making this happen!

Shoot well with your .44-77 tomorrow and have fun , as if I needed to say that.

Do you have any velocity numbers for the 76 grains of OE? What brass are you using?

[Eric Johanen]

Jameson brass, but have not run the loads over the chrono yet. Need to get the numbers for the 2fg KIK and OE. Both seem to shoot well but I do not have target sights on the gun just open irons

[Distant Thunder]

Oh yea, I understand your choice of sight just fine and it sure seems to shoot well for you. I have often thought we should have had a buffalo class at Merrill for just barrel sights. One time through all the gongs from 200 to 500 and highest score wins.

I have my .50-70 set up with barrel sights, but I do have my Buffalo Hunter Sporting tang sight on it. No windage and just an elevation slide. A simple sight that work quite well and looks good on a 1874 Sharps.