Basic questions - .44 magnum reloading

[the86d]

FINALLY a use for .40 S&W brass...

https://carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/shoot-40-s-w-in-your-44-magnum.85122/

https://youtu.be/O90Qqj7L6F4

[BigBronco]

^^^ Interesting enough. However I will stick to using my Keith molds.

[hambam105]

There is no reloading without a Press. A working Press.

The price difference between a top quality single stage Reloading Press and a Press that should maybe work is ~$100.
Okay $200 tops. BFD. It works, always. No questions. No excuses. No explanations. No apologies.

[RiskyBusiness]

If you really want to lower the cost, learn to cast your own projectiles. With powder coat you can run max loads. $1-2/lb 7000 gr per pound, divide by 240gr per bullet. Looking at about 5 cents per bullet

[RNE228]

https://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-44-mag.html

There is no reloading without a Press. A working Press.

[Calif Hunter]

I got lucky and found a Lee Classic single stage press at a garage sale for $15. It was like new, looking like it had never been used. The same place had some unopened IMR4350 powder. I have a Dillon and an old cast iron CH press, but had not yet unloaded them or set them up.

I am no longer competing, so I have still not yet set up the Dillon 550. I find the single stage is fulfilling my needs for now as I can load up a couple hundred rounds or more over a couple of days, priming the cases while I watch TV for example with my hand priming tool.

I use .44 mag brass but load moderate loads at the heavy .44 SPL level - about 1000 FPS with a 240 gr bullet.

[sigstroker]

My first press was a turret press. I hate them. They don't work as well as a progressive, and as a single stage they don't work as well as an ordinary single stage. Decide what's in the future. Rifle cartridges? If so, big or small? If you're going to do mostly pistol and .223, get one of the small lightweight single stages. Otherwise get a Rock Chucker.

I mostly disagree with the load info above. Do you want to shoot mostly full power? If so, stick with jacketed bullets. Less smoke when it fires and crap left in the barrel.

Use cast bullets if you're going to shoot mostly medium or light power loads. Don't use 2400 unless it's the only powder you can find. It's smoky and doesn't burn all the way, even in my 8 3/8" barrel. Get Olin 296 or H110 or some other ball powder. Burn cleaner and meters much better.

[divingin]

Start reloading, and with 44 Magnum?

Realistically, reloading 44 Mag isn't inherently any different than loading any other pistol caliber. Probably easier since you don't have to worry about things like Glock Bulge and slightly tapered cases.

I would advise the OP to begin loading 44 Mag rounds to 44 Special velocities and pressures, just in case there's a screwup - gives you a little more leeway if you make a mistake. Once you get a routine down to load consistent ammunition, then start working up to 44 Mag class loads.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Thanks. What do you guys think of the Lee Classic Loader? I was thinking that might be good for learning since I would be doing very low quantities.

This is exactly what I recommend. ^^^^

I started with one and still have it.

You are looking at <$50 for the Lee Loader Kit, then you need a Plastic Mallet, and a few other doodads and all of it will fit in a small tool bag so you are not taking up a bunch of space storing it.

I have been reloading .44's Specials and Magnums since 1978. I also have been casting all my .44 cal. Boolits since 1978. The .44 cal's are best served with Cast Boolits. That is how you extract the most fun from the round.

There is literally reams of data on loading this cartridge. A good place to start is in back issues of "Handloader Magazine"

These are available thru Wolfe Publishing Specifically issues from Aug 2005 #236 and Oct 2005 #237 These issues have data for loading the .44 Special, and Mid Range .44 Magnum Cartridges, which should be the majority of rounds you fire. It is pointless to fire full house loads at a paper target or beer cans. Also you will enjoy shooting the gun more with lighter loads.

You should also have a big Lyman Manual for reference.

As far as cases I still have cases that I started shooting in 1978! They tend to last along time as long as you aren't constantly loading hot rounds.

I recommend people just starting out get a Lee Classic Loader because it is the simplest way to load brass ammo. You learn all the basics. This is also considering that I manufacture the worlds Finest Hand Reloading Press (see website below) and I still recommend the Lee Kit for beginners.

You didn't say what kind of gun you have but I am assuming it is a either a S&W or Ruger Revolver. These guns get old pretty fast firing hot loads. I personally reserve all my Hotter Loads for my rifle.

Arguably the most versatile round in existence capable of taking virtually any game animal on the planet and already has, and yet can be loaded down to plink beer cans with your wife.

good luck

Randy

[Cowboy T]

You can buy junk stuff(lee) or buy quality stuff which is every other manufacture.

Nonsense. That's the Ford/Chevy/Dodge mentality; Lee makes good gear as well.

You can use the Lee, it's not junk.

Agreed.

I use a lee turret. Works well for me, not fancy.

My favorite press, all around, is actually the Lee Classic Turret Press. The thing's built like a beast and is easy to use.

That said, the Lee Challenger press is another very good choice, among the single-stage presses, and it is likewise highly recommended.

Reloading .44 Spl/Mag is just like reloading any other rimmed revolver cartridge. If you'd like to see this in action, check out these videos.

Single Stage Press:

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/basicreloading.html

Turret Press:

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/videos/LeeClassicTurretPress-TheNewVersion-Part6-MakingSome45ColtMagnum.ogg

In the turret press video, I'm making my ".45 Colt Magnum" round, which is very similar to the .44 Magnum full-house load. If anything, it might be just slightly more powerful than the standard full-tilt .44M load...just slightly. But it's pretty close to the same.

And one last thing: you can load .44 Magnum cases to .44 Special levels; you don't *have* to do full-house loads. I have a ".44 Special +P" sort of load that I use in the .44 Magnum case, just to keep the snappiness down. This load is *accurate*.

[edgerly779]

75-85 cents per round for me.

[RNE228]

Generally that is true. There are exceptions; depends on the pistol.

In days gone by I shot a lot of 44M in a Desert Eagle. It liked full house loads; light loads wouldn't cycle the slide.

I had bought some "white box" rounds one time 25 years ago. They were mild loads; would not cycle the slide. Wound up shooting them thru my buddies 629 with 8" barrel. Still fun shooting!

For the 629, my buddy had full house loads that were accurate on the 100m steel. He loaded a Keith SWC in 44sp that was right on at 50 yards without changing the sights. Worked out nicely.

And one last thing: you can load .44 Magnum cases to .44 Special levels; you don't *have* to do full-house loads. I have a ".44 Special +P" sort of load that I use in the .44 Magnum case, just to keep the snappiness down. This load is *accurate*.