New to reloading for 44 mag on Lee

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Marcog

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Hi,

Upon purchasing a Redhawk in 44 mag, it was obvious that I needed to start reloading for bringing down the cost of ammo and I think it was the next step in my handgun hobby. I took a 2h training and purchased the Lee value turret, Lee pro auto-disk, Lee dies (incl. factory crimp), and the basic stuff.

I do single stage for the sake of learning also..

I already made 300 or so reloads and everything is going ok but some minor caveats or concerns..


Do you need to adjust the dies every X number of reloads?

Sometimes the alignment is not perfect so I need to push and hold the brass so it goes smoothly in the die, this is known on this setup? Usually happens on the resizing/depriming and bullet seating/crimpring steps..

The powder measure is not 100% accurate also, always missing from 0.5 to 0.8 grain from the chart on 800X. Normal also?


Thanks
 
Marcog said:
Hi,

Upon purchasing a Redhawk in 44 mag, it was obvious that I needed to start reloading for bringing down the cost of ammo and I think it was the next step in my handgun hobby. I took a 2h training and purchased the Lee value turret, Lee pro auto-disk, Lee dies (incl. factory crimp), and the basic stuff.

I do single stage for the sake of learning also..

I already made 300 or so reloads and everything is going ok but some minor caveats or concerns..


Do you need to adjust the dies every X number of reloads?
Click to expand...
In theory yes. But if they are secured and do not move in their lockrings, your brass will periodically need trimming to keep in SAAMI spec anyway so short answer: No, case lengths should be uniform.
Sometimes the alignment is not perfect so I need to push and hold the brass so it goes smoothly in the die, this is known on this setup? Usually happens on the resizing/depriming and bullet seating/crimpring steps..
Click to expand...
I have only used RCBS JR3 and Rockchucker for loading 44mag so am not familiar with your setup. I don't recall having much of an issue as you speak of except if brass is not reasonably concentric. I'll leave that question to someone who uses the same press.
The powder measure is not 100% accurate also, always missing from 0.5 to 0.8 grain from the chart on 800X. Normal also?


Thanks
Click to expand...
I have both Lee and RCBS powder measures: it is not unusual for there to be inconsistencies in powder charges thrown. Powder tricklers are made for such occasions: when you require higher precision, you can use a trickler to the tolerances you can physically observe on the balance to your hearts content. Given that 44mag is a bit heavy and expensive for typical plinking and I desire accuracy when shooting it, I keep tolerances within .10gr (H110 powder) For less precise purposes, I'm less concerned and .5 - .8gr inconsistency on the progressive press is tolerable provided the powder used can allow and highest possible charge thrown is within safe limits.

My tendency in selecting powders is choosing one which fills most of the case: this makes it easier to observe problems like double charge (as it will overflow) and typically inconsistencies are forgiven as the pressure range usually is not as broad or high... and in rifles, my best loads are with slower for caliber powder. Fastest I've used in 44mag is Unique: one should always be prudent, but faster burning powders carry with it a greater need for consistency.
 
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Are you starting a factory? Use your hands, fingers, eyes and nose to build your loads!!! That is the fun part. Do not trust a piece of software or hardware to do the work for you. Consider them as guides to get you close.
 
lol no I'm not but I try to reload 100-150 rounds every week for my weekly range evening. If you look at the seat/crimp die of Lee for the 44mag, the hole isn't flared at all so the case tends to block. It's either giggling the case or having to bend and align the case in the hole. I'm thinking of having a friend who is a machinist open the die just a tad so the case goes right up. It shouldn't affect anything I assume.

I also bought a trickler to get more constant results...
 
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