I haven't tried it yet but has anyone noticed which bullet shoots better in the 77/44 rifle?  .429 or .430 diameter, would like to reload some for it but not sure which to start out with.  The only thing I've tried has been the factory Hornady 180 gr XTP ammo and it seems to string the shots out at 100 yards.

Slug your barrel.

The barrel profile is pretty light so I'm not surprised If it started to string shots w/ some sustained firing.
Obtaining QUALITY jacketed .44 bullets is a challenge right now although Hornady  seems to have some product out on the shelves.
If you're trying to get consistent accuracy out of the plated bullets out right now you're probably wasting you time; the brands I tried were plinkers at best.
If you are casting then it's a different story; as above slug your bore and size accordingly. I have excellent results from several Lee and Lyman designs
w/ a good alloy gas checked bullet design you can push them as fast as jacketed.

Discovered my problem is the scope that came on the gun.  Looking to replace it with a better quality scope in the near future.

I was shooting my .44 carbine this weekend, an older one with the tubular magazine.  I compared some handloads to Federal American Eagle, both 240 grain JSP.

Federal factory ammo
1731, 1745, 1763, 1749, 1738
Average velocity- 1745, extreme spread- 32, standard deviation- 12

I don't remember offhand, but I believe I loaded 23 grains of w-296 under a Magnus brand jsp. EDIT:  23.3 grains.

1713, 1738, 1733, 1733,  1716
Average-1726, ES- 25, S.D.-11

The handloads are a much better value, and shoot well, so I am looking forward to loading more.  Maybe my son or I can bag a deer this fall with this gun.



I double checked, these jacketed bullets are .429 diameter.

Thanks for the info.  I've been wanting to get some W296 for reloading.  I was using 20 grains of 2400 with a 240 grain Rainer hollow point in my Marlin but run out.  I know the twist is slower in the Marlin.  
For the deer I'm sure you can get one if you see it.  I shot one this past season with some of the Hornady 180 XTP factory ammo  because that was all I had available.  Punched a thumb sized hole in and out both lungs he ran about 70 yards and went down.