.44-77 opinions
- Thread starter Casull
- Start date
- Location
- West coast of Vancouver Island
Is this the ones J.P. is selling? If you can build rounds for them it would be a good buy for an original rifle. I wonder if brass is available.
44-77
According to articles by Mike Venturino, until the 45-70 was introduced, the 44-77 was the most popular caliber chambered in Sharps rifles, but it was a Remington developed cartridge and was first introduced in Remington rollers, and the Sharps New Model 1869. It was used extensively by buffalo hunters, but was also chambered in Remington and Sharps Creedmore rifles.
He notes that bore diameters in original rifles vary considerably, and says that he personally has slugged barrels varying from .446" up to .457".
Lyman makes #446110, a nominal 340gr, .43 Spanish mould at .446", RCBS make a 44-370FN which supposedly drops out around 400gr., and I'm sure you already have .457" moulds for your other 45-70 roller, so bullet supply shouldn't be a problem.
It has brass, but if needed, Bertram make it, and that and re-formed brass is available from Buffalo.
If the price was right, I'd say go for it. Just think of the history that rifle has.
Regards, DaveF.
According to articles by Mike Venturino, until the 45-70 was introduced, the 44-77 was the most popular caliber chambered in Sharps rifles, but it was a Remington developed cartridge and was first introduced in Remington rollers, and the Sharps New Model 1869. It was used extensively by buffalo hunters, but was also chambered in Remington and Sharps Creedmore rifles.
He notes that bore diameters in original rifles vary considerably, and says that he personally has slugged barrels varying from .446" up to .457".
Lyman makes #446110, a nominal 340gr, .43 Spanish mould at .446", RCBS make a 44-370FN which supposedly drops out around 400gr., and I'm sure you already have .457" moulds for your other 45-70 roller, so bullet supply shouldn't be a problem.
It has brass, but if needed, Bertram make it, and that and re-formed brass is available from Buffalo.
If the price was right, I'd say go for it. Just think of the history that rifle has.
Regards, DaveF.
- Location
- West coast of Vancouver Island
I was thinking these were what you were thinking of.
http://psmilitaria.50megs.com/frame.html
Look under "Antique Guns".
http://psmilitaria.50megs.com/frame.html
Look under "Antique Guns".
I think it is a toss up; the 12 x 44 will either take or can be rechambered to 50-70 unless I am badly mistaken. On the other hand I would expect the 44-77 to shoot a trifle flatter but you may have a more difficult time with molds and brass. You have a lathe so you can make forming and sizing dies plus modify a second hand Lee mold for the 44-77 and hopefully get brass from Kerry Jenkinson. You also might be able to modify one of several magnum cases to a rimmed case. .338, 300 H&H and several others are long enough and have a base diameter of .515, I presume not counting the belt. I suspect you might be able to turn the base down (behind the end of the web) to say .4"D and fasten a rim on using 620 Loktite. More time consuming but also use a fine thread.
One of the other forums showed a fellow threading rims onto .50 cal BMG shells to make a slug shooting 3 3/4" shotgun loaded with slugs.
I think the 44-77 would shoot fairly similar to the 38-56 which I like.
cheers mooncoon
One of the other forums showed a fellow threading rims onto .50 cal BMG shells to make a slug shooting 3 3/4" shotgun loaded with slugs.
I think the 44-77 would shoot fairly similar to the 38-56 which I like.
cheers mooncoon
good cartridge
I shoot a 340gr out to 800 yards, bullets from Bullet Barn in the 446 work fine.They are not paper patched, use beeswax for the lube. Over that distance you really need a heavier bullet but the case volume presents a problem to get the velocity on the heavier bullet. It has been said more buffalo have been killed with this cartridge than any other. Just my two cents
I shoot a 340gr out to 800 yards, bullets from Bullet Barn in the 446 work fine.They are not paper patched, use beeswax for the lube. Over that distance you really need a heavier bullet but the case volume presents a problem to get the velocity on the heavier bullet. It has been said more buffalo have been killed with this cartridge than any other. Just my two cents
