Just purchased my first 44 mag wheel gun

I have a model 29-3 classic hunter. I load 27gr. of W296 behind a 200gr Hornady XTP for when I want to stretch its legs. My normal bunny phart load is 4.2gr of WST pushing my 200gr. PC cast lead bullets. Super mild and are more accurate than I am.

Auggie D.
 
Looks good,and they are a ton of fun. A few tidbits from my experiences, check all the screws regularly, still have a bunch of Federal brass that has been loaded and crimped with a Lee fcd 28 times now, did not like W231 powder, magnum primers make no difference, 240 grain Campros work great to 50 m at least, Hornaday 180 great XTPs don't like a 1.600 COAL with Lee dies but will load consistently at 1.585", any 180 with a max load of H110 will annoy people in other rooms but is sooooo much fun.
 
dirtybarry said:
Looks good,and they are a ton of fun. A few tidbits from my experiences, check all the screws regularly, still have a bunch of Federal brass that has been loaded and crimped with a Lee fcd 28 times now, did not like W231 powder, magnum primers make no difference, 240 grain Campros work great to 50 m at least, Hornaday 180 great XTPs don't like a 1.600 COAL with Lee dies but will load consistently at 1.585", any 180 with a max load of H110 will annoy people in other rooms but is sooooo much fun.
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I recognize your cgn handle
Your the guy who tries to kill his SW 44 with high round count
Thanks, the advice given is certainly researched ;)

Dsiwy
Will do


Tonight i just ordered 200x starline virgin cases
Tomorrow i’ll see what cabelas got for dies and primers.

Transfer initiated yesterday, really hope this will be a quick one!
 
Dsiwy said:
Talking about screws, just blue loctite all four and never worry again :)
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Been there and have done all of them and the ejector rod too but given the OP is planning on 600 to 700 rounds of less than full tilt rounds a year so they might not have they have the same problems with things coming loose.
 
MartyK2500 said:
I recognize your cgn handle
Your the guy who tries to kill his SW 44 with high round count
Thanks, the advice given is certainly researched ;)

Dsiwy
Will do


Tonight i just ordered 200x starline virgin cases
Tomorrow i’ll see what cabelas got for dies and primers.

Transfer initiated yesterday, really hope this will be a quick one!
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Highly recommend you buy RCBS carb dies "dont cheap out"
 
Dsiwy said:
Highly recommend you buy RCBS carb dies "dont cheap out"
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Alright
Was going to buy LEE (since i love my neck sizing die so much in 308)
In 9mm i use dillon, 308 redding body size, Lee neck, and forster micro seating
Since my neck die constantly produces 1 thou run out or less, was thinking that Lee was top notch

If cabelas don’t have RCBS I’ll order them online
 
MartyK2500 said:
I recognize your cgn handle
Your the guy who tries to kill his SW 44 with high round count
Thanks, the advice given is certainly researched ;)

Dsiwy
Will do


Tonight i just ordered 200x starline virgin cases
Tomorrow i’ll see what cabelas got for dies and primers.

Transfer initiated yesterday, really hope this will be a quick one!
Click to expand...

Busted, lol. It's not working either, the stupid thing works better than ever but it is a lot of fun trying.
 
4n2t0 said:
Are those Hogue monogrips? If so, how do they fit? I want to get the no finger grooves version for my 66 but I heard the fit is loose and there's a little play in the grip.
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They are the most comfortable grip I’ve tried. I put wood grips on from time to time but eventually just go back to the Hogues. I have never had a problem with them being loose either.
 
MartyK2500 said:
Guys that use Lee
Separate seat and crimp, or a 3 die set that has 1 die that does both?
4 die sets seem hard to find for this caliber
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Separate seat and crimp works way better with plated bullets and allows for a heavier crimp without cracking the plating.

If you do go with Lee get the 4 piece set with FCD, It seems to do a better job at crimping plated than the regular die. I wonder how many on here have ever measured the 6th round after firing 5 and see how far their bullets jump the crimp. This Might be why some of you have accuracy issues with CAMPRO.


MY issues with my lee dies are
-You need to lube your brass for smooth operation
-The expander die pilot has been over sized on every lee die I ever used and causes poor neck tension.
-The Crimp is not as smooth looking as other dies



My RCBS carb dies pros
-Needs zero lube
-The expander pilot is .007" under bullet dia. making for a very good neck tension.
-The roll crimp looks smooth as silk with no brass shavings
-Two different seating plugs included
 
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MartyK2500 said:
Guys that use Lee
Separate seat and crimp, or a 3 die set that has 1 die that does both?
4 die sets seem hard to find for this caliber
Click to expand...

I use the 4 die set which allows for easy adjustment for the amount of crimp. Purchased from Henry at Budget Shooter Supply.
 
MartyK2500 said:
That’s what i have been reading Mark, that 1000FPS with 240gr is considered mild.
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It is pretty mild, similar recoil to 38 Special in a K frame S&W.


MartyK2500 said:
From searching and reading the reload section, nothing wrong or too hot about a 240gr bullet going 1250fps.
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That is definitely not too hot, you can get 1400fps without exceeding reloading manual loads.


MartyK2500 said:
Was going to buy LEE (since i love my neck sizing die so much in 308)
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I use Lee for all my pistol dies and have been happy with them. Usually Redding for the rifle cartridges.


VinnyQC said:
I use Lee carbide dies for my 44 rounds. Works like a charm. Love the crimp die.
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Auggie Doggie said:
Lee dies have worked fine for me for the last 27 years.
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+1, no issues with Lee dies in the pistol cartridges.


MartyK2500 said:
Guys that use Lee
Separate seat and crimp, or a 3 die set that has 1 die that does both?
4 die sets seem hard to find for this caliber
Click to expand...

Definitely separate seat and crimp. Try Higginson's for dies, they have a lot of Lee stuff in stock usually.


Mark
 
Thanks for all the long winded replies.

At cabelas yesterday the 3 die set was at a good price.
I ended up getting that with a LEE auto powder hopper I can install over my expanding die.

I have to order some starline brass from Xreload, so might as well get my LEE FCD there at the same time.
iirc from another die I have, the LEE combo dies (seat and crimp), can be set just to seat and not crimp. That's what I plan on doing.

Got all my components and tools here on standby, just missing brass and Lee FCD.
At this rate i'll have my 1st loads ready before transfer completes, that will not be good for my patience!

In the summer my 308 takes quite a bit of range and gun room time,
Next winter i'll try to load dev for a pistol, something I never did before, at least keep me busy in cold winter months!
 
Lee Reloading stuff....

I've used the Lee dies with carbide sizer & Lee "auto disk" powder measure for years to load all my handgun ctgs, including .44 Mag.

No complaints here!

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NAA.
 
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