Reload 44mag With 44spl Dies?

[trky chsr]

I will soon be reloading for a 44 mag that is on the way and I have read that 44spl is a really accurate round particularly suited for indoor shooting, which I will be doing. With my Lee 38spl dies I can load 357mag cartridges and I am wondering if the same applies to 44spl/44mag. My budget is pretty tight right now so springing for one set of dies would allow for more projectiles

 

[blaser.306]

Should be no problem. Both lyman and Redding That I have catalogues for at hand list a combo die for both. You will just have to be sure that your die is short enough for the special! The mag will just be set higher up in your press.

 

[m777]

I had a RCBS die that the case was labelled for both, but couldn't get the seating die low enough for 44 spec. Bought another used set and the new one worked. Some of the older sets had a washer for raising it up for 44 mag after you set the die up for 44 spec.
Clint

 

[jethunter]

It is not just the reloading dies, it depends on if your press has the right adjustment range. The only way to know for sure is to try it n your press. The LEE and RCBS die sets that are labelled as being "44SPL/44MAG" generally work.

 

[H4831]

Any press is designed to handle any standard 7/8 inch die.
The so called dual dies that do both 44 Spec/44 mag are simply dies designed for the 44 Special.
Push the handle down, raising the shell holder to the top of its travel. Screw the sizing die down tight to the shell holder and lock the locking ring.
The dies that are marked for both special and magnum will have a steel ring in them, the thickness of the difference between the two lengths of brass.
To do mag brass, put the steel ring over the die and screw it down until it hits the locked ring setting. It will now fit magnum brass.