Dented 44 Mag Case??

[TenDriver]

One of the bosses gave me some 44 Mag reloads he didn't need. Given the "never shoot somebody else's reloads" rule I decided to inspect and weigh each cartridge. Each weighs between 377.5 and 381 gr, which is right there with my WWB factory loads. Gave me confidence there are no double charge surprises in there.

I did find this single dented case. It doesn't look like a no go to me, thinking it should fire form. What do you guys think?

 

[788Ham]

If you decide to shoot them, your choice!, the case will push that dent out when fired. Not a big deal !

 

[beatledog7]

How much do the bullets themselves weigh? Do you know? The "std" is 240gr, but what is those are 230gr and the extra 10 grains is powder?

 

[Mike 27]

Weighing the entire loaded round will never give reliable results. You have to trust him or break them down and check the charge. There is only 1 person I trust enough to shoot his stuff out of my guns. And the guns are the same model as his. He taught me how to reload. This is my choice and I realize the repercussions, and is is still an uneasy feeling to squeeze them off.

 

[gamestalker]

There is far too much variance in the weight of brass to give any reliable powder charge assumption. As example, I load every single cartridge using a beam scale that is accurate to the .1 gr and my loaded cartridges are often at least a powder charge heavy or light in comparison. You would not know by weighing them if some are double charged, or squibs for that matter.

I used someone elses relaods years ago and almost got myself hurt as a result, so that's your decision. If it ere me I would pull them down and start over using the brass and bullets.

GS

 

[TenDriver]

I've heard enough to pull the bullets and start over.

There was a label in the sealed bag that reads 240 gr SWC. They appear to be professional reloads, possibly the old red boxed Master Cartridge that used to be around here. Since I don't know that for a fact, I'll pull the bullets and reuse what I can.

 

[ljnowell]

I've heard enough to pull the bullets and start over.

There was a label in the sealed bag that reads 240 gr SWC. They appear to be professional reloads, possibly the old red boxed Master Cartridge that used to be around here. Since I don't know that for a fact, I'll pull the bullets and reuse what I can.

Good call. Not knowing what powder is in it, it could very well be a gross overcharge in there. No sense in taking any chances with eyes and fingers. You only have a limited number of each.

 

[CGT80]

I read a story on one of the forums of a teenage kid who loaded 460 mag loads with his brother. The older brother setup everything for the younger brother to reload. The dad taught the older one to reload. One or both of the brothers confused magnum pistol powder with a faster powder. A huge charge of a very fast powder, blew that 4.5 pound pistol to pieces. I also have a 460 and hand load for it, among other cartridges.

Small dents will come out with firing. You should probably dump that powder.

I pulled apart my grandfather's 30-30 reloads. They were 3.0 grains over max charge and the cases were not trimmed. I know he only used 4895 rifle powder and one of the boxes was marked. I also had 4895 to compare it to, and I asked him about the loads. I loaded with about 6 grains less powder, to get a mild load. They worked great. Luckily, I didn't have to waste the powder.

 

[TenDriver]

What about using these primers over, as in not popping them out of the cases? The only hiccup I can think of is that I don't know whether they standard or magnum.

 

[rcmodel]

You can deprime them and use them over.
Or you can leave them in and use them over.
Doesn't matter.

There is no safety issue if you decide to deprime them.
Somebody pushed them in.
You can push them out and push them in again.


As far as primer type?
Doesn't matter either.

Start with the published starting load and work up as always.

rc

 

[TenDriver]

Thanks, RC. Is it OK to skip the sizing die and go straight to the expanding die? I figure they've already been sized, just need another charge and bullet replaced.

 

[slamfirev10]

What about using these primers over, as in not popping them out of the cases? The only hiccup I can think of is that I don't know whether they standard or magnum

magnum primers only necessary if called for, when i load for 44 mag, i do not use magnum primers

also, fire form the dented cases

 

[Mike 27]

They should be re-sized. The bullet seating process expands the brass and you could experience neck tension issues if you just re-seat them without a trip through the sizer.

Mike

 

[jack44]

I only trust me and God - I would pull em apart first.

 

[Walkalong]

Pull the bullets. Size without the decapping stem in. Load the primed brass. You may even be able to re-use the bullets.

 

[TenDriver]

Thanks, Walkalong. Wasn't sure if I could re-size without decapping.

 

[JLDickmon]

Pull the bullets. Size without the decapping stem in. Load the primed brass. You may even be able to re-use the bullets.

what I would do..

 

[buck460XVR]

One of the bosses gave me some 44 Mag reloads he didn't need.

This tells me that you and your boss know each other well enough that you could ask him where the reloads came from. If they are "factory" reloads as you suspect, I see no reason not to shoot them as they should be just as safe as any factory ammo. If they are just some of the notorious "hot reloads my BIL gave me!", or any other unknown, untrusted origin, I'd go ahead and pull them.

 

[TenDriver]

He believes they are professional reloads, but has had them a while and couldn't remember where he got them.

I chose to pull the bullets and will reload them when I can find some powder.