Brass for .44 Russian
- Thread starter Sharps '63
- Start date
Where you are matters.
Well for one thing and it's good, Starline makes it. Runs $33 per 100 from these guys. I think they're closed for the summer(can't imagine why) but respond to e-mail. http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=853&CategoryID=55
Well for one thing and it's good, Starline makes it. Runs $33 per 100 from these guys. I think they're closed for the summer(can't imagine why) but respond to e-mail. http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=853&CategoryID=55
rustywood.ca they have it on order now you can call them to find out aprox date! Double tap gets it in if they don't have it in stock you can expect a very long wait, 10 months for me! If they have it in stock then the prices are great!
If you're going to cut down cases if you can then start out with .44Spl. By the time you cut down .44Mag to .44Russian spec it's possible that the casing wall for the length of the bullet seating will be thicker than optimum.
Of course the way to tell for sure is do one for each brand of casing you have. Some may be the same wall thickness for farther down the sides than others.
Of course the way to tell for sure is do one for each brand of casing you have. Some may be the same wall thickness for farther down the sides than others.
I appreciate the input!
I have a plentiful supply of .44 Spl. and a good case trimmer, so I can make all the brass I want - if I can't get commercial .44 Russky. I agree that cutting down .44 mag may result in case walls that are too thick.
I've read on the net (that can't be wrong, can it ... ) that the #3 in the .44 Russian is less prone to BP fouling due to the proper length of gas shield, unlike the longer Colt .45 versions.
I have a plentiful supply of .44 Spl. and a good case trimmer, so I can make all the brass I want - if I can't get commercial .44 Russky. I agree that cutting down .44 mag may result in case walls that are too thick.
I've read on the net (that can't be wrong, can it ... ) that the #3 in the .44 Russian is less prone to BP fouling due to the proper length of gas shield, unlike the longer Colt .45 versions.
What do you mean by #3? Since you go on to mention BP fouling I'm guessing that you're looking at loading up black powder fffg loads? If so the "shorthand version is "3f".
Keep in mind that BP requires a different lube in the grooves. The stock smokeless lube will turn to a hard to clean out tar like mess. You want something that is vegtable based. Or at least very specific petroleum based which is limited to a very few products.
One good general purpose black powder bullet lube is beeswax and Crisco shortening mixed in a ratio that results in a firm but tacky sort of mess.
Keep in mind that BP requires a different lube in the grooves. The stock smokeless lube will turn to a hard to clean out tar like mess. You want something that is vegtable based. Or at least very specific petroleum based which is limited to a very few products.
One good general purpose black powder bullet lube is beeswax and Crisco shortening mixed in a ratio that results in a firm but tacky sort of mess.
BCRider
You're assuming that I just fell off the turnip wagon when it comes to loading BP in pistols and rifles .... my alias should have given you a clue otherwise. I just shot an annual match in "Frontier Cartridge" class, using BP in rifle, pistol and shotgun. Earlier this year, I shot a ten stage match "Frontiersman" using cap & ball revolvers plus BP shotgun and rifle.
I use my own lube for cap & ball and SPG in all my cartridge loads.
The powder designation is FFFg, not fffg, the number of 'F's indicating the granulation, as you know.
The #3 refers to the model number of the S&W 1875 top break revolver designed and built for the Russian government in .44 Russian calibre, the forerunner of the .44 Spl. There was also a #3 American model.
The Russian differs from other similar S&W's in that it has a spur off the trigger guard to hang a finger on in the quaint 'duelling' pistol manner and a distinct square back 'hump' on the grip, unlike the more rounded American model.
You're assuming that I just fell off the turnip wagon when it comes to loading BP in pistols and rifles .... my alias should have given you a clue otherwise. I just shot an annual match in "Frontier Cartridge" class, using BP in rifle, pistol and shotgun. Earlier this year, I shot a ten stage match "Frontiersman" using cap & ball revolvers plus BP shotgun and rifle.
I use my own lube for cap & ball and SPG in all my cartridge loads.
The powder designation is FFFg, not fffg, the number of 'F's indicating the granulation, as you know.
The #3 refers to the model number of the S&W 1875 top break revolver designed and built for the Russian government in .44 Russian calibre, the forerunner of the .44 Spl. There was also a #3 American model.
The Russian differs from other similar S&W's in that it has a spur off the trigger guard to hang a finger on in the quaint 'duelling' pistol manner and a distinct square back 'hump' on the grip, unlike the more rounded American model.
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Yer right of course. Your user name should have clued me in. My apologies. And now that you've jogged my poor grey cell I do recall about the S&W model numbers. I guess it was the way you worded the post that made me jump in the wrong direction.
You just shot the match? You don't indicate your location in your user info. It wasn't Palmer's Gulch was it?
You just shot the match? You don't indicate your location in your user info. It wasn't Palmer's Gulch was it?
It was Palmer's Gulch where I shot SASS "Frontiersman" class with cap & ball, along with two others from my club. We have a rivalry going that makes it great fun. The others are Colt shooters and I'm a Remington man. Last year we placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the category, and this year I placed 2nd again, my last stage costing me 1st place.
At our recent annual event in Quesnel, the BP cartridge and cap & ball shooters outnumbered the smokeless 'pop gun' shooter. They also shot better. We believe that if you're gonna shoot 'Cowboy', shoot COWBOY, and BP is as Cowboy as it gets. Most of us also shoot "Duellist" regardless of class as we regard using two paws as 'girly'.
At the upcoming SASS Championships at the KTSA range, we will again shoot our cap guns and the Colt vs Remington battle will go on. Yee-hah!
At our recent annual event in Quesnel, the BP cartridge and cap & ball shooters outnumbered the smokeless 'pop gun' shooter. They also shot better. We believe that if you're gonna shoot 'Cowboy', shoot COWBOY, and BP is as Cowboy as it gets. Most of us also shoot "Duellist" regardless of class as we regard using two paws as 'girly'.
At the upcoming SASS Championships at the KTSA range, we will again shoot our cap guns and the Colt vs Remington battle will go on. Yee-hah!
Small world! I happen to be the guy that was called up last to stand beside you at the award lineup at Palmer's 
Looking at our scores after the dinner it was apparent that we all shot well and fairly evenly with each of us coming out ahead on various stages. But each of us also had a very noticable "meltdown" stage of some sort. It was just that my meltdown wasn't quite as China Syndrome'ish as you or Bobby. It sure was great fun. A lot more work than just loading cartridges but the added fun for folks that want something extra and that is more historically accurate more than makes up for it.
I've got my own personal Colt vs Remington war going on. But happily it's a good natured one. I used my newly tuned up (Italian) Colts at Palmers but I've also got a set of Uberti Remingtons that I love to use equally. There are certainly no losers in this "argument" though...
Anyway back to the topic of the brass. I would guess that you've already checked with Rusty on delivery? And have you already cut down a .44Spl and measured the wall thickness? I wouldn't want to cut down TOOO many. It's a fair amount of work after all. But enough to at least try out the new toy is certainly not amiss.
Looking at our scores after the dinner it was apparent that we all shot well and fairly evenly with each of us coming out ahead on various stages. But each of us also had a very noticable "meltdown" stage of some sort. It was just that my meltdown wasn't quite as China Syndrome'ish as you or Bobby. It sure was great fun. A lot more work than just loading cartridges but the added fun for folks that want something extra and that is more historically accurate more than makes up for it.
I've got my own personal Colt vs Remington war going on. But happily it's a good natured one. I used my newly tuned up (Italian) Colts at Palmers but I've also got a set of Uberti Remingtons that I love to use equally. There are certainly no losers in this "argument" though...
Anyway back to the topic of the brass. I would guess that you've already checked with Rusty on delivery? And have you already cut down a .44Spl and measured the wall thickness? I wouldn't want to cut down TOOO many. It's a fair amount of work after all. But enough to at least try out the new toy is certainly not amiss.
Well Howdy, Pard! And well done!
My 'melt down' came as a result of borrowing 5 caps to shoot the final stage. I was too lazy to walk to my trailer to get some of my own. Two failed to go "Bang!" on the first hammer fall. No big deal, and there's always next year ..... ;>)
As for the Colt vs Remington feud, my Remmies don't jam up with cap fragments, fall apart or suffer the agonies of the Colt "wedgies". The only Colt cap gun I have any use or regard for is my Colt 2nd gen 3rd Model Dragoon. It never fails and when it speaks, people listen .....
My 'melt down' came as a result of borrowing 5 caps to shoot the final stage. I was too lazy to walk to my trailer to get some of my own. Two failed to go "Bang!" on the first hammer fall. No big deal, and there's always next year ..... ;>)
As for the Colt vs Remington feud, my Remmies don't jam up with cap fragments, fall apart or suffer the agonies of the Colt "wedgies". The only Colt cap gun I have any use or regard for is my Colt 2nd gen 3rd Model Dragoon. It never fails and when it speaks, people listen .....
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