My first antique revolver

Second vote Rusty Wood trading co for most stuff, most of the hard to find stuff is the same as any reloading.

As for worth, hard to say because of the market you’ll see fluctuations all over the board but I’d say a good comparison is watch oldgunscanada because his prices are usually about as good as you’ll find. At least in my experience.
 
Budget Shooter Supply in BC sometimes has new Starline .44 Russian brass for reasonable prices. 44 special, and 44 magnum brass can be cut down to spec and used - that's what I started with before I got some pre-made Russian brass.
The specs say 23 grains of 3F BP, under a .429 cast bullet. I've been running 15 grains of BP under 240 grain bullets, but plan to drop down to 200 grain for my Iver Johnson and British Bulldogs (the Brit Bulldog is actually a shorter case....). I use fiber wads to fill empty space in the cartridge - you don't want any gaps between bullet and powder - a wee bit of toilet paper also works :) Large pistol primers - way over priced these days, but 'supply and demand' rules...
 
You asked for reloading tips and you should be getting a few reloading manuals first and read up on the 44 Russian caliber you’re planning on. The Lyman Reloading Handbook is a good read and will get you started with “safe” loads using smokeless powder although purists will frown on using smokeless in these old revolvers.

I reload 44 Russian in Starline 44 Russian brass, some in smokeless according to the Lyman handbook and black powder data that I’ve gotten from other reliable sources. Just be careful who’s load data you’ll be getting.
 
Brass for reloading is very hard to find in 44 Russian right now but on the EE under reloading supplies Menno is selling some brand new Starline Brass, I suggest you grab it quickly as it wont be there long
 
Nice, hope you're Happy with it! ...but I really "wish" people would refrain from using 'IMGUR' here... can't bring myself to 'click' it lol
 
Rifle Master said:
Fill me in on what else to use?
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Yes I can...Go to: https://postimages.org
Upload your pic / Copy the Second Link to use here.
Here, as above ^ Click the little Picture Frame/Tree Icon -then Click 'From URL' in there ..& if you see a BLUE Checkmark -Un-click that & Volia..You picz will show up in your posts.

Ya, IMGUR, those people in all their posts/forums.. So Anti-Gun, Anti everything & PC/Woke as sh*t LiiBtard website..it turn me stomach! lol
Cheerz ~
 
Nice bulldog, and very popular. I have never had one for more than a few days. I usually sell them for about $1500, depending on condition. Iver Johnsons are not Webleys, of course, but still fun to shoot. I have used both smokeless and BP substitute in my 44 Russian ammo. There is a video on my website on how to reload by hand. I also use cut-down 44 Special and 44 Remington mag brass. Not a big deal really, it's not like you're fitting out an army. If you have 50 or 100 on hand you can reload for longer than the gun will last. If you use reduced smokeless loads, be sure to put a paper wad into the cartridge between the bullet and powder to keep the powder close to the primer. It works better than if you don't. It still works fine without the paper but the burn rate is inconsistent, and you will find that the recoil will vary from shot to shot. Read the loading "recipe" for your brand of powder and weight of bullet, and reduce by about 25% to start. Wouldn't want to blow the frame apart...
Have fun!
 
We just received some HSM 44 Russian ammo. It isn't inexpensive but is the first we have seen in a long time. $86/50
It is not on line yet, but you can call to order.
 
I'm a big fan of the .44 Russian. When I started out shopping for a legal bush carry sidearm I was looking at the .455 Webley's. I quickly discovered really good ones were out of my price range. I picked up my first S&W double action on spec and fell in love with them, both the caliber and the action. Over time, I refined exactly what I wanted (blued, long barrel, excellent mechanics, double action option) and I had a few pass through my hands before I got the one pictured. From what I've been able to discover so far, the .44 Russian is the most powerful of the .44 family that you can legally carry in a double action revolver. The .45 Schofield is more powerful, but all the revolvers I've seen are single action only and good luck trying to find components for reloading, particularly brass and dies.

 
Shooting Centre said:
We just received some HSM 44 Russian ammo. It isn't inexpensive but is the first we have seen in a long time. $86/50
It is not on line yet, but you can call to order.
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What are the details on the HSM ammo? Mainly looking for bullet profile, weight and if it’s soft cast bare lead as well as fps. Thanks
 
LawrenceN said:
I'm a big fan of the .44 Russian. When I started out shopping for a legal bush carry sidearm I was looking at the .455 Webley's. I quickly discovered really good ones were out of my price range. I picked up my first S&W double action on spec and fell in love with them, both the caliber and the action. Over time, I refined exactly what I wanted (blued, long barrel, excellent mechanics, double action option) and I had a few pass through my hands before I got the one pictured. From what I've been able to discover so far, the .44 Russian is the most powerful of the .44 family that you can legally carry in a double action revolver. The .45 Schofield is more powerful, but all the revolvers I've seen are single action only and good luck trying to find components for reloading, particularly brass and dies.

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I like and load both 44 Russian and 45 Schofield. Some Webley double actions can chamber 45 Schofield. Same as Colt 1878’s in .476. Dies are still being made by Lee and I’ve had better luck in the last year finding 45 Schofield brass than 44 Russian.
 
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