Question for Drydock

[Tascosa Joe]

Chuck:
When we shot the KVC buffalo shoot together about 4 years ago, you were shooting a 50-70 with a 650 gr bullet.  What powder charge were you using and is the chamber on your rifle extended? My Shiloh will not close over length.
T-Joe

[Drydock]

OK, I was using this bullet  https://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=51-630R  (My own design!)

The nose is tapered and the first driving band is reduced. 20-1 lead-tin.  This allows me to seat it to a depth of .5" in the case, with one band and a lube groove exposed. White Label BP lube.  My chamber is the standard Shiloh Chamber, this bullet is meant to work with it.  This is over 70 grains OE 2F by weight, compressed before seating the bullet.  The powder is dropped thru a 24" drop tube, then compressed to a case depth of .5" before seating the bullet.  No wads. (I've found with the 50-70 wads don't seem to make any difference. A variable eliminated) Standard Large Rifle Primer, Starline brass.  OAL 2.55".  This load Chronographs at 1130 FPS, shoots under 1.5 MOA off the Bench at 200 yards.  I figure at least .5 of that is due to the loose screw on the trigger . . .

I'm now out of OE, getting ready to transition to Swiss.  But so far everything is running about the same weights, velocitys and compression.  Don't let anyone tell you Swiss does not like compression. 

I have also used the same load, but with an uncompressed charge of 777 (around 55 grains) and gotten 1240 FPS!  Extreme spreads are a little wider, but it sure gets your attention!  If I ever had to depend on 777 I'd probably stack enough wads in there, dropping the charge to get back to 1200.

I assume your rifle has the 1-22" Twist?

FWIW .5" is the same depth the 450 grain Government bullet seats to with all grooves covered,

[Tascosa Joe]

Thanks for the info, I am not sure of the twist.  When I ordered mine I did not specify the twist, so I guess it is whatever is standard on a 30" heavy octagon.

[Drydock]

Standard twist is 1-22 left hand on the 50s.  I'd say that's what you got. 

Will you be at KVC this year?  You'd be welcome to try this load.

[Tascosa Joe]

I am not sure, I am fighting some health issues, so we will see how that goes.  I always wanted to go to GAF as well but I get around about like Wooly Dan.

[Drydock]

Well we'll keep a place around the fire for you.

What kind of Shiloh do you have?

[Tascosa Joe]

It is pretty plain, Military Butt Plate, brass screw escutcheons, 30" heavy octagon, pewter nose cap and a patch box.  If I had do overs I would get a 28" barrel and shotgun butt. 

[Drydock]

Dammit though, that's a fine looking rifle, be right at home in Kansas in 1872.

[Pitspitr]

I always wanted to go to GAF as well but I get around about like Wooly Dan.

Dan does OK here. We see to it!

[Mogorilla]

Jinx.  Was just going to say the same.   I was not at Gaf this year, but will be next year.   That and KVC buffalo shoot, we will get you where you need to be for sure.   

[Drydock]

BTW, I've got a #3 just like yours, but in 45-70, and I've found one of these  https://accu-riser.com/bp-2000-leather-butt-pad/   small size, really tames the recoil impact of that military rifle butt.  I use one on the big 50 as well.