doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com .577 BPE Adams

My attempt to find a load that will regulate in my Adams is not going well. I have tried many different load/powders with paper patched 560gr lead bullets. It's still shooting 8" apart at 50yds. I would like to try the Woodleigh 650 jacketed bullets. I have some that are marked Woodleigh 650 grain BPE. The rifle has damascus barrels. My question to those with more knowledge than me is: will the jacketed bullets harm the softer damsacus rifling?

I think you need more velocity to bring the point of impact together,perhaps your rifle was made for lighter bullets.Jacketed bullets make me nervous,if the jackets are soft copper they should be ok.What size is your bore?

Mike, I have used thin jacket bullets in many damascus rifles with no discernable problems. I find most rifles are easier to regulate with jacketed bullets, and they seem to shoot very well in Henry rifled barrels. I have put hundreds of Woodleigh 650 gr BPE bullets through my Ca. 1895 steel barreled Gibbs double at 1850 fps. After years of messing with paperpatch, hard lead, soft lead, 3031, black powder, etc; Graham Wright's nitro for black load[Shooting the British Double Rifle] put the 650 gr. Woodleighs in the same hole at 50 yards. When was your Adams made? I believe that there was a 520 gr load used in the 1870's. Are you using black or smokeless? Most express rifles are easier to regulate with 4198 than black, and the presures are lower.
All the best, Mal

Mal I'm using 4198. My guess on the age is about 1880 or so. Back action hammer locks with half cock locks.

If you use nitro-for-black 4198, why d'you use paper patched bullets still? Switch to hard lead allow bullets 520-560gr and increase powder charge untill both barrels will shoot in one point. That's easy. R.Glenz is right, velocity is not enough yet.
You don't need jacketed bullets.

I'm using hawk jacketed bullets in my Henry....I pulled the last shot, still a 2&1/4" group at 50yards.

SKB what weight bullets and steel or damascus barrels? Do you have a website for hawk bullets?

Geno, with lead bullets one uses paper patches, hard lead etc. when velocities reach 1600 fps or so to keep the lead from soldering itself to the inside of the barrel. Accuracy falls off very rapidly once there is just a bit of lead fouling in the bore. During the late 19th century, riflemakers tried many methods of reducing this problem; different rifling systems, grease wads, multi grooved bullets, and paper patches. all had their problems. paper patched bullets and Metford rifling lasted the longest, but The ultimate fix was the cupro-nickle jacket.

Mike, I think the Woodleigh 650 is the only thin jacket .577 in town. I have shot my Alex Henry .450 damascus double at least 200 times with Hornady 350 grain half jackets with no noticeable problems. This rifle is in excellent condition, and any problems would be easily seen. Just be sure the jackets are quite thin and soft. before I try a new bullet, I section it to check thickness.
Mal

Mal, I use paper patched bullets plus grease cookies in BP loads only. For nitro-for-black loads I use hard lead bullets alone with filler (lead allow hardness ~20R) with great success.

Mal the Woodleigh is the only one that I can find. I think that I need more velocity so for now at least it's out. I have to go to a lighter bullet. Thanks.