I'm not 100% familiar with the LNL bushings but don't you screw the die with lock ring into the bushing & the bushing into the press? If that 's the case you would just put the spacer under the lock ring before you put the die in the bushing. However, like I said I'm not familiar with that system so I may have my mechanics wrong.
loading .44 Special in a .44 Magnum case
- Thread starter thechineseguy
- Start date
I'm not 100% familiar with the LNL bushings but don't you screw the die with lock ring into the bushing & the bushing into the press? If that 's the case you would just put the spacer under the lock ring before you put the die in the bushing. However, like I said I'm not familiar with that system so I may have my mechanics wrong.
That is correct. Still a minor pain (I had a local machinist a buncha' years ago turn-out a spacer ring for .38 / .357 dies), and if you're doing this I'd recommend better-class dies with set-screws on the nuts so when you start backing them out of the lock-rings, the nuts back-out with the die, rather than 'bind' to the lock-ring and $crew-up your settings (sez the voice of experience). - But if you do this, bear in-mind that the set-screws will mess-up the threads on your die bodies, and the nuts won't turn smoothly afterwards. Your best bet would be two sets of dies, but that's phat
- and sorta' robs the purpose of the spacer rings.turbo_bird
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A piece of lead shot under the set screw will protect the threads of the dies. Or get a second lock ring for the die and double nut it, then use the spacer for magnum cases.
Kristian
Kristian
There's only 1/8" difference between a .44 special and a .44 magnum case so the resizing die works fine for both and the bullet seating die has enough adjustment for both.
If Titegroup is anything like HP38, I wouldn't use it. Did not like having to hammer the empties out and a double charge would easily fit and maybe even a triple overcharge because of the case capacity.
With IMR4227 or H-110, a double charge is very obvious since the powder overflows and there's no room to seat a bullet.
If Titegroup is anything like HP38, I wouldn't use it. Did not like having to hammer the empties out and a double charge would easily fit and maybe even a triple overcharge because of the case capacity.
With IMR4227 or H-110, a double charge is very obvious since the powder overflows and there's no room to seat a bullet.
im thinking maybe scrapping the idea of loading 44special in to 44mag cases and just loading slightly milder 44mag.
now my question is...
campro says to use 23.0-24.0gr of h110. i currently load 23.0gr h110 under 240gr plated bullet. i noticed that my last round would have the bullet pulling out of the case (out of the roll crimp). i already have my crimp die 1/2 turn more than the RCBS manual says so im assuming its already a tight crimp. i understand that h110 is designed for full house loads so i was wondering if it would be okay for me to use 21.5gr of it just to soften up the recoil to prevent the bullet from coming out of the crimp?
now my question is...
campro says to use 23.0-24.0gr of h110. i currently load 23.0gr h110 under 240gr plated bullet. i noticed that my last round would have the bullet pulling out of the case (out of the roll crimp). i already have my crimp die 1/2 turn more than the RCBS manual says so im assuming its already a tight crimp. i understand that h110 is designed for full house loads so i was wondering if it would be okay for me to use 21.5gr of it just to soften up the recoil to prevent the bullet from coming out of the crimp?
I'd try a different powder before going too much under the start load for H-110. I've been using dirty filthy IMR4227 for my light range load and with well over 10K of them fired, I like it.
And just loaded some of my original Federal brass for the 21st time.
If the last bullet is walking, I'd dial in another bit of crimp, maybe another 1/8th. The 5" version must be quite a bit lighter than the 6-1/2 full under lug one.
That is correct. Still a minor pain (I had a local machinist a buncha' years ago turn-out a spacer ring for .38 / .357 dies), and if you're doing this I'd recommend better-class dies with set-screws on the nuts so when you start backing them out of the lock-rings, the nuts back-out with the die, rather than 'bind' to the lock-ring and $crew-up your settings (sez the voice of experience). - But if you do this, bear in-mind that the set-screws will mess-up the threads on your die bodies, and the nuts won't turn smoothly afterwards. Your best bet would be two sets of dies, but that's phat
and so, why wouldn't you use these which don't mess up threads? They are awesome. Even my Redding dies have them now. :
(not advocating amazon, just using this link as it has a good BIG pic.)
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1165236200/hornady-sure-loc-die-locking-ring-7-8-14-thread
Here are some links on Hornady's website:
http://www.hornady.com/store/Sure-Loc-Lock-Ring-1-Each/
http://www.hornady.com/store/Sure-Loc-Lock-Ring-6-Per-Pkg/
oh. maybe i need to find a local source for 4227 or 2400 and try them out then.
H110 is for full power. Period. A reduction in powder charge becomes erratic.
If you want a flexible powder that will make almost max velocity and also half that - buy a can of 2400. A very flexible powder.
Does anyone have it in stock?
Agree with above; why use the tree-top powder for midrange loads? I'd suggest a 2nd-speed powder like Vihtavuori N320 or N330, Green or Blue Dot, 800X or Unique. Likely 5 - 8 gr should give you ~800 fps. It's a lot like a warmer .45 ACP load with a 240 - 250 gr bullet.
You could also consider Trail Boss for this; IIRC, their direction for determining a good load is to fill the casing to 70% and go from there. And the nice thing about doing this - you couldn't fit a double load in there even if you wanted to.
And I recommend you try Li'l Gun for your magnum loads; it's the newest magnum powder, and in the .357, commercial S&B FMJ's were ~1,200 fps; 16 gr Li'l Gun gave me ~1,400 fps. The only things I dislike about that powder are its name, and how hard it is to find.
i can use n320? i have lots of that since i use it for 9mm.
vihtavuori says 8.9-9.7gr for a 240gr JTC-SIL (jacketed truncated cone?) im guessing this load data would also apply to campro 240gr fcp tc?
Certainly can - and you can go lower than that. I shoot 3.3 - 3.6gr N310 with 230gr LTC's in the .45, at ~620 fps. No reason you couldn't get right down to wadcutter-speed if you wanted; remember, the initial .45 load was 230r hardball with Bullseye, ~850 fps. That's why I like small amounts of fast powder for big cases like .45 ACP (or say, .44 magnum) - more likelihood the stuff will actually generate enough heat / pressure to burn.
I shot-off ~40 rounds of .45 ACP loads that I'd loaded too light, out of my .455. These were 3.2 / 3.4gr Win 231, they were so soft they wouldn't work the actions on the .45's. So sooner than pull the bullets, I shot 'em off in the revolver. Well, they were loaded with 200r LSWC's - and you can't crimp .45 ACP, it headspaces on the rim. So, not much powder, leaking pressure through the flash gap and and little impediment from that little uncrimped bullet - these things came out like it was raining; sprays of unburned / partially burned powder out the muzzle. To shoot 'em clean in the .45's, I ended-up laddering up to 4.2gr; they shot well and cycled the actions at 3.6gr, but made a dismal, hard-to-clean mess of the guns.
EDIT - and you can't crimp .45 ACP, it headspaces on the CASE MOUTH
Surf teh interwebz, lots of good part-loaddata. And I recommend you consider Trail Boss; it's more-or-less tailored for what you're doing.
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i loaded up a few rounds with 9.0gr of n320. hopefully i can try them out tomorrow morning and report back.
i loaded up a few rounds with 9.0gr of n320. hopefully i can try them out tomorrow morning and report back.
9.0 of N320 is close to full power for a 44 MAg. For a good reduced power plinking load, try 6 to 7.5 gr.
VV's website says 8.9-9.7gr for jacketed truncated cone 240gr which is basically what im using except mine is plated.
i will chrony them when i have money to buy one or can find someone that will lend me one.
I really like HS-6 with 240gr cast in 44 magnum.
All day comfortable even in a Model 69 with wood grips, laser accurate, and still not just a powder puff load. I think of it as a warm to hot 44 special.
Something around 9 grain charge I think it is - memory fails me.
Also love it in my old 1950s Ruger Blackhawk
All day comfortable even in a Model 69 with wood grips, laser accurate, and still not just a powder puff load. I think of it as a warm to hot 44 special.
Something around 9 grain charge I think it is - memory fails me.
Also love it in my old 1950s Ruger Blackhawk
