How many times - .44 cases

toxic

toxic

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Hello CGN.

I'm pretty new to reloading for .44 mag but not to reloading for handguns.
Can I expect .44 mag cases to last as long as other straight wall cases (9mm, 40SW, etc.)? Anything to watch out for specifically?
I load light target loads with Titegroup and some hot loads using H110. I've only gotten up to 2 reloads on my cases so far so definitely new to .44 mag. Shooting them in a SW 629 if that matters.

Thanks!
 
JBD said:
You will likely wear out your gun before wearing out your brass. I used to shoot a 629 in ipsc probably shot 5K a season for years I don't remember a case failing.
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The harder you need to roll crimp the 44 case the sooner cracks will form down from the case mouth. Not so much for taper crimps with light loads.
 
I agree. The roll crimp can take a toll on the case mouth but you should still be able to get a $hit ton of go-arounds. On light loads, just return the case mouth to spec or use a light crimp. On the H110 kerpow! loads try medium heavy and work your way up if you aren't happy for some reason (ignition, walk).
 
As already mentioned, this seems to be a case of too much flare. Followed by a too-heavy roll crimp. Which work hardens the brass, causing premature case failure. Something you would not often encounter with taper-crimped cartridges like 9mm, etc. But... there's no need to toss those cracked cases. They're still perfectly useable. If only cracked s little at the case mouth: You can always trim the cases down to .44 Special. Easily done, with a Lyman or other case trimmer.

Update: Case annealing would likely help, too.
 
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Lighter loads in a 629 the brass will last a long time. Warmer the loads the shorter the brass's life span.
44Mag Plinking brass seams to last a long time in my Marlin 1894 44Mag/44Spl. I think it's because the 'lighter' Plinking loads don't require as much crimp. I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die.
New Starline brass, I size, trim then use for 5 rounds of max/near max reloads, 240/300gr XTP's with H110 or Lil'Gun, then retire to the plinking bag. ATM, I have 700ish plinking pieces of 44mag brass in rotation.
 
Thanks for expertise everyone. Getting .44 cases is a challenge. I'm really glad to hear that it doesn't look like I'll need to find any more for a long time.
 
Bought my first .44 Mag 4" Model 29 in 1978 when you had a heck of a time even finding a Model 29 because of the Dirty Harry Craze. It came with 1500 Remington cases and 2000 lead bullets, it was too much for the owner power wise so he just dumped everything he had bought with it.

I have a heard of .44's and regularly shoot medium to full house loads and I still have some of those original cases I got all those years ago. Nice light crimp is all that is needed to hold the bullet it and the cases will last a long time.
 
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