Powder for a short barreled .44-77 rifle

[ndnchf]

I recently acquired this original Remington #1 Sporting rifle chambered for the iconic .44-77 BN cartridge.  Unfortunately, somewhere back in the mists of time, its long barrel was bobbed to 23.5", perhaps to make it more easily carried on horseback.

The .44-77 was traditionally loaded with 75-77 gr of 1F or 2F under a 385 - 405 or larger paper patch bullet.  I'm gathering everything necessary to load for it.  Considering the short barrel, I'm wondering what powder to use.  I have Old Eynsford 2F, Swiss 1.5 and Goex 2F and 3F.  Of course the heart of the question is, with the short barrel, will 1.5 or 2F be an incomplete burn and end up blowing out the muzzle?  Is 3F a better choice?  Or maybe a duplex load with a few grains of RL7 or 4227 at the base under 2F to aid in combustion?  I don't know that this would make it burn faster, only cleaner.  The chronograph will tell the story.  I have 40 pieces of new brass and a couple different bullets to try.  I may make 4 different loads of 10 each to start out.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.



   

[Silver Creek Slim]

I would use 2F.

Slim

[Dave T]

DITTO to what Slim posted. And to be more specific I'd make it your Olde Eynsford instead of the GOEX. My take is Ol' E burns cleaner/better than GOEX. YMMV!

Dave

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[Coffinmaker]

   Nah   

None of the above.  APP 3F.


HIDE AND WATCH

[Mogorilla]

Do not have loading information, but if you need an approximate label, here you go.

[ndnchf]

Well, there certainly are a lot of options. I have these on hand, plus a variety of pyrodex, which I rarely use. I have 40 cases prepped and ready to load as soon as the bullets arrive.  About 75gr of good old 2F black is a good starting point, although I have doubts that it will all burn up in this short barrel.

I've used quite a bit of APP and find it good for general shooting and plinking. But Ive never got top accuracy from it. I do like BH209 and find it very accurate, but it is pricey.

I'll probably start out with some 2F Goex and Swiss, maybe a few with APP and BH209. 

Mogorilla- thanks for the lable!