I'm loading BP for my .40-70 SBN.

Cases:  I bought formed cases from Buffalo Arms.  They are accurately formed from .45-90 Starline brass.

Bullets:  My rifle likes the 330 grain pure lead swaged paper patched bullet from Buffalo Arms.  These are very nice quality bullets, but they still have some swaging lube on them as shipped.  It's water soluble (probably anhydrous lanolin).  I put the bullets in a bowl of water before patching them so this lube dissolves off.  I don't want anything to cause pieces of the patch to stick to the bullet.

Charge:  I'm loading 70.0 grains of GEOX Olde Eynsford 2F.  I apply slight compression to pack the charge just below the neck of the case.

Wads:  On top of the powder I place a beeswax foundation wad.  This sits right at the base of the neck.  I then place a 3/16" grease cookie on the beeswax foundation.

Bullet:  The wrapped bullet is seated against the grease cookie.  My finished overall length is 2.925".

Finishing:  If any bell remains in the mouth of the case I straighten it using the sizing die.  I remove the decapping assembly and screw the die into my press so the shoulder just contacts the case mouth.  Then I lift the ram, turn the die a bit more, and use the shoulder in the sizer to straighten the case mouth.  I don't apply a crimp.

Here's a peek at the end result:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)



I have no problem with fouling.  The paper patched bullet in tandem with the generous grease cookie keeps everything soft, smooth, and wiped.  I have fired as many as 30 rounds of this ammunition without cleaning or wiping.  The bore looks the very same after 30 rounds as it does after one round.  Cleaning is a snap.  Accuracy is fine.

My rifle is a John Rigby made in 1880.  It has a nearly perfect bore.  It was originally chambered in this American round, undoubtedly ordered from this side of the big pond.  You can have a look at it here:  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Although it is not an American single shot, it was made in an American caliber, evidently for an American.  Enjoy!

Curl

calledflyer wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2018 at 5:29pm:



There's quite a long story about the mystery of this rifle's chamber.  Back in the fall of 2012 I told the whole story over on NitroExpress.com at this thread:  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)  It's fairly interesting if you have the patience to read the whole thread.

It's a unique and wonderful rifle.  I'm lucky it's mine.

Curl

Thanks for your kind comments.

Greg,
Thank you very much for your kindness.  I actually have had an interest in single shot rifles for at least 40 years.  They used to be the focus of my collecting and shooting.  I had several nice single shot custom projects over the years.  Then came my fixation on double rifles.

More recently I'm easing back into single shot rifles.  I've acquired several over the past few years.  My most recent is a dandy Stevens 44-1/2 chambered in .32-40.  It has seen little use and has a perfect, mint bore.  I should have it up and running by fall.

Again, thanks for your warm welcome.

Curl