.44-77 PP load for Lodi match.

[Distant Thunder]

Now that I have loaded 150 rounds for the Fall 1000 Yard Classic match at Lodi, WI on September 26 & 27 I thought I should give the load another test just so I can sleep at night.

I had shot two 5-shot groups at 220 yards that looked pretty good. I then shot a 10-shoot group that had a couple of shots drop low but the core of 6 shots was really good. I had concluded the two low shots were a result of not managing the fouling as well as I could. And in that group I was also dealing with some pretty gusty winds that pushed a few shots to the left.

So this morning I decided to shoot another 10-shot group under more calm conditions and keeping an eye on the fouling. I am still learning to drive this .44-77.

   

This morning with with temps in the 40s and little wind I set up again at 220 yards. After 2 sighters I was centered up pretty good and shot the above group. Note that shot 6 went a bit low after wiping with 2 wet and 1 dry between shots even though everything felt good when I ran the dry patch through. After shot 7 also went low I decided to run a 3rd wet patch through to remove any fouling that was accumulating in the barrel. Shots 8, 9 & 10 went right back into the group.

This is showing me that with this load I'll have to keep a close eye on my fouling and wipe more if needed to keep up with it. For testing I am using patches as stated, at the match I will be using my bore pigs with two felts that will be well soaked and pushed through by a dry patch. I'm hoping that will be enough keep the fouling from becoming a problem, but I'll see.

The match will be unlimited sighters and 15 shots for record at 1000 yards so any fouling problems will be evident and will have to be dealt with. Things can go bad darn fast when the clock is running. At the first sign of a low shot I will wipe the bore again before loading the next round.

The load information is on the target along with the chronograph reading I got this morning. I am pretty happy with the group and the velocity, but I am very happy with the consistency this .44-77 has shown. I am still learning this rifle but so far it hasn't thrown anything at me out of left field. I like knowing what to expect from my rifles and therefore I know what to do when I see a shot come up somewhere I did not expect. This can take a few matches once I find a load that is working and stick with it. I've only have this rifle for 3 months and have only shot 2 matches with it and I haven't settled on a load yet so the learning is on going.

The good thing is I am way ahead of where I was with any other rifle I've have worked for shooting paper patch bullets at this point. This is a good, accurate rifle and I look forward to seeing what I can do with this .44-2 1/4 (.44-90) next weekend. A report will follow.

[Don McDowell]

Looks like you'll be fine, if that load holds to 1000.
This is where the BACO bore wipe systems works so well for consistent bore condition.

[Kurt]

Heck Jim I see a lot of shooters that don't get a 10 shot 2" group at 100 yards with scoped HP rifles shooting off a bench.
You have a good rifle and load.
Good luck next week.

[Distant Thunder]

Don,

The .44-2 1/4 seems to require a bit more attention to fouling control than my .45-70 or .45-90. I'm pretty sure with temps in the low 70s for highs and my homemade wipers now with 2 felts on them that I shouldn't have any problems with fouling. I can do 2 wet patches and 1 dry and it works fine as long as the patches are really wet. If they start to dry out the fouling becomes a problem very quickly and shots drop low. I can see that in the target from this morning where actually shot number 5 was just a touch low and 6 was lower yet with number 7 about the same as 6. Even through those 3 shots are low in the group they are spread only maybe 1 1/2 inches so at least the accuracy wasn't going south.

With my wipers I will have a very clean and consistent bore and accuracy should be better if anything. The only question is, will the load hold up out to 1000 yards. I think it will. My .45-70 doesn't shoot much better at 220 yards and it does very well out to 1000. I pretty much figure that if I can keep 10 shots inside 3" at 220 yards the load is good to go. Not many of these rifles will keep 10 shots at 2 inches or less and most are probably in the 4 inch range.

It will sure be interesting to see how the .44 does at 1000.

[Distant Thunder]

Kurt,

I think I can get that group size down a little better with some work, but there is no time for that now, I'll have all winter to tighten things up. It sure is a fun rifle to shoot and for a fairly light rifle I don't even notice the recoil.

I don't think any of my scoped bolt action rifles will do much better for 10 shots at 220 yards. I can only hope things don't just fall apart after 600 yards. There's only one way to find out and that will happen 1 week from tomorrow!

[Don McDowell]

Shoot well at the All comers match Jim. With it being the same weekend as the BPTRA nationals going this year just wasn't an option. Hopefully things will return to normal, and with a bit of luck with the scheduling gods we'll see you at Winnequah in May.

[J.B.]

Certainly looking the goods Jim. Well done and best of luck at the upcoming match. Fly the '44' flag

J.B.

[Distant Thunder]

Don and Gavin, Thank you. I will do my best, but at a match anything can happen and often does. The main goal is as always to have fun. Shooting good is always fun however!