.44 Russian loading with unique question

[Thiopento]

Hi everyone, I'm reloading for the first time some .44 russian to feed my 1883 reichsrevolver. I have a set of .44 special dies and will be using unique powder. Just wanted to ask a simple reloading question to make sure I'm being safe. I couldn't source the exact bullet listed in the Lyman 49th loading manual, they have a #429667 240gr RNFP 0.68" in length and OAL 1.335". The bullet I have is also a RNFP 240gr however it's 0.69" and it has a crimp groove higher up. I can load to the same OAL Lyman recommends with my bullet however I'll be crimping on the bullet and not the crimp grove. If I want to crimp on the crimp groove of my bullet, I need to reduce the OAL down to 1.24" which means seating the bullet 0.1" deeper into the case. I'm planning to start my charges low at 3 grains unique which is lower than the lyman recommended minimum of 4.1 grains and work up by 0.2 grains intervals. My question is, is it safe to seat my bullet 0.1" deeper or is it dangerous and I'll be seeing significant pressure changes? It would be nice to crimp on the groove as the cartridge looks better that way and likely gives me a better crimp. Thanks in advance

 

[Moe]

I never loaded for 44 Russian but I have plenty of experience loading for similar antique calibers. Are you sure that is a crimp groove your looking at and not a lube groove? I would not lose sleep over making sure it crimps in any groove. Just let it crimp into the lead wherever it happens to be. Often you will get a better crimp into the lead rather than the groove.

I don't think starting as low as 3.0gr is wise. With my experience with Unique you will get a lot of unburned powder and squibs if loaded too light. If the minimum recommended is 4.1gr then start with 4.1gr. 3.0gr will surely have you in squib land so if you insist on doing that bring a rod and hammer with you to the range.

0.1" length is a bit deeper but I don't think you will find that to be dangerous. If anything the higher pressure it might cause will cause more complete combustion.

Lastly I used unique in a few antique calibers 455 Webley, 450 Adams, 45 Colt, 8mm French Ordnance. Unless the load was on the higher end I would often get squibs and unburned powder. I suggest trying Trail Boss. It burns up all the powder and has no squibs with light loads.

Good luck
Moe

 

[Thiopento]

Just an update, today I had a chance to go out and do some test shooting! It was a mildly cold winter day (-2C). I used a lubed RNFP BB 240gr .430" mild lead bullet made and sold by rustywoods; I'm not sure what mold they use to cast them and my over all length was 1.335". Here is what I found:

1) First Batch 3.5gr unique - very very mild recoil with unburnt powder
2) Second Batch 3.8gr unique - a bit more recoil, still mild, unburnt powder and reasonably accuracte
3) Third Batch 4.0gr unique - slightly more recoil, pleasant to shoot, unburnt powder, reasonably accuracte

All the primers looked fine and the cases extracted very easily. Compared to factory loaded fiocchi .44 russian, these loadings are much milder, I feel like the factory fiocchi recoils maybe 30-50% more? Pictures below; the target I shot is an A4 paper @ 10m, keep in mind I'm not a great shot, was cold and wearing gloves!