Reloading .44 Russian Question

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swampdog

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We're new at reloading, so please pardon what might be a dumb question or two.

Just reloaded a few rounds of .44 Russian using new Russian brass and RNFP 240 grain bullets. We used Trailboss powder, 3 grains, which was the max specified by the manufacturer for the .44 Russian. The die set used is Lee carbide.

Question 1. We tried resizing a few pieces of brass, but the size seemed fine from the factory, so we didn't bother resizing the rest. Should one usually resize new brass, or is it fine from the factory?

Question 2. Even the resized brass seemed a bit tight on the lead bullets. The bullets would not fit into the brass at all, without using the press. But the press pushed the bullets in fine. Pressing the bullets into the brass scraped a little lead off all the bullets. Is it normal to have the bullets fit that tight, so that a bit of the lead scrapes off?

Question 3. The Lee die set came with instructions and dimensions. If we had followed the overall length from those instructions, the bullet would not have seated into the brass at all. On the other hand, the overall length dimensions from Trailboss would have had us insert the bullet into the brass too far - well into the curve of the point. So we inserted the bullet to the second groove (the one closest to the tip of the bullet). Does that sound correct?

Question 4. We did not crimp the ammo. The bullet fits tight as is. Should we also crimp the brass. The crimp would be into the second groove of the bullet.

Thanks for your help, and sorry for the newbie questions.
 
First of all, read the instructions in your reloading manual to get a better understanding of the process. To answer your questions:

1. It should not be necessary to size new brass, but it won't hurt anything, either.
2. You need to use the expander die to flare your case mouths so that the case mouth won't shave lead from the bullet. There is no issue with the bullets being too tight of a fit in the case.
3. The correct OAL for revolvers is whatever lines up the crimp groove in the bullet with the case mouth. Whatever data you are using might not have been developed with the exact same bullet, hence the difference in OAL.
4. Yes, the loaded round needs to be crimped. The flaring of the case mouth needs to be removed and you need to ensure that the bullet won't come out of the case under recoil.
 
You would only size new pistol brass if you wanted consistent tension on the seated bullet and you weren't getting it, you must "bell" the case mouth, and you should crimp for revolver use.
 
For revolver/pistol brass, I always resize new stuff. It just makes me feel better - and since i have to get it into the press to bell the neck anyways, it's a minor step.

As you state you are new to reloading ... You say you are startign at themax liste load in your manual. At the very least, check a few other manuals and make sure the max is the same across the board.

Also, each gun shoots different - you'd be further ahead to start a the Minimum recommended load and work up in 0.1 or 0.2 gr increments until you either hit Max or find the most consistent load as far as groupings are concerned = whichever comes first.

Find yourself a copy of The ABC's Of Reloading and read the sections on reloading for pistols - it'll answer a lot of yoru questions, and explain things (with pictures) far better than we can here. We will certainly be able to clarify any questions you have after reading it.

Also, don't apologize for asking newbie reloading questions ... I think we all would rather answer easy/simple questions than read a post about how badly something went wrong for you.
 
Thanks for the advice. They now are crimped. Now to build up the courage to shoot the old S&W DA.

Has anyone reading this tried Trailboss with the .44 Russian? If so, how much powder worked for you? Even if you haven't tried it, opinions also welcomed.

3 gr doesn't sound like much for the .44 Russian. For a .455 Webley MK II, for example, one uses closer to 4 gr of Trailboss with a 255 gr bullet. I'm surprised at how much less powder is recommended for the .44 Russian with a slightly lighter bullet.
 
When you refered to the "manufacturer's" max data, do you mean LEE data? Lee data is terribly anaemic, they must have the most nervous lawyers in the industry and they always underload. Makes you think they don't have much faith in their own measuring tools or something.... ;)

You should check out the Hodgdon powder website - they have excellent reloading data, and the following came from there:

44 russian, 240 gr LRNFP, Trailboss: starting - 3.0 gr, max - 3.5 gr.

Looks like you will be fine with 3.0 gr trailboss in that load.

Yes resize new cases. You don't need to but it trues the case mouth, irons out any dents left from the manufacturing process and takes away some variables.

You should crimp revolver cartridges, especially anything over 140 gr.
 
Last edited:
jethunter, thanks for that suggestion. I'll start with the 3.0 gr and work up from there to 3.5 if the 3.0 seems too anemic. (The 3.0 max figure came from the IMR website, but it does seem low.)
 
Considering that you're firing these out of an old S&W DA, I think 'anemic' loads would about right. I would really resist the temptation to load them too high.
 
ATOM said:
Considering that you're firing these out of an old S&W DA, I think 'anemic' loads would about right. I would really resist the temptation to load them too high.
Click to expand...

I think the OP has already quite clearly demonstrated his ability to exercise due caution. Even the "max" load of 3.5 gr is very light with a safety factor built into it purely out of consideration for the old pistols for which it is chambered.
 
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