.44 Auto Mag

[Old Grumpy]

I have a friend who has purchased an original AMP 180 .44 Auto Mag from Pasadena. He has ordered some new brass so he can feed the beast. I have the current Lyman's (49th) and it does not list this round. I've searched Hodgdon's, Alliant's, and Accurate's web sites and still can not find any load information.

I do have a well worn copy of Hornady's Third Edition that does list a few loads using 200gr JHP, 240gr JHP, and 265gr JFP bullets over Win 630, 2400, H110, W296, IMR 4227 powders. I'd rather have some newer data to start with and maybe a few more powder options (like AA #9, Blue Dot, Lil'Gun).

I plan on contacting the major powder companies to see if they have any unlisted data they would share. Does anyone out there have experience with this round and if you do would you care to share your data?

Grumpy

 

[steveno]

the 44 auto mag never really set the world on fire(expensive and a bit finicky) so your third edition of the Hornady manual might be as good as it gets. WW-630 no longer exists and I wouldn't use 2400 or 4227. I would use H-110 and never look back if for some reason I decided to buy one and load for it. they mostly a collector's gun now and an expensive one at that. I also don't think you can get parts for it if something breaks also

 

[03fatboy]

Honaday 9th edition has some data

Data they list for powders- 2400,H110,Win296,Imr4227

Bullets from 200gr.hp xtp to265gr. Interlock FP

My neighbor works at hornaday and i talked to him and he said you need to stay near or at max on powder to cycle the slide.

I'm in the process of reloading for the auto-mag and can't find brass for it just curious on where your buddy found brass.

Made a few pieces out of 308win and was a pain in the butt, brass is the only thing holding me back now.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Here's an article by John Taffin with loads.
http://americanhandgunner.com/web-blast-the-44-automag/

 

[DM~]

I believe i still have all the dies to make automag brass, if anyone is interested...

Long ago i had automags, glad to see them gone!

DM

 

[03fatboy]

DM~/ Anybody
I have the dies to make the brass it's the reaming that is giving me the problem.
Is there a better way to do that?
I know a lathe might work but i don't have one , been reaming with a. 429 reamer in a cordless drill but I screw up more brass then i make.
So i have been trying to find brass to no avail .
I hate to hijack the thread but I'm open to suggestions or ideas
Thanks in advance,
03fatboy

 

[Havok7416]

Honaday 9th edition has some data

Data they list for powders- 2400,H110,Win296,Imr4227

Bullets from 200gr.hp xtp to265gr. Interlock FP

My neighbor works at hornaday and i talked to him and he said you need to stay near or at max on powder to cycle the slide.

I'm in the process of reloading for the auto-mag and can't find brass for it just curious on where your buddy found brass.

Made a few pieces out of 308win and was a pain in the butt, brass is the only thing holding me back now.

Starline sells factory-new .44 AUTO MAG brass. https://www.starlinebrass.com/brass-cases/44-Auto-MAG-Brass/

 

[44vaquero]

03fatboy, Welcome to the wonderful world of Wildcats. This is why I stick to WC's that you can just size/form.

Back in the day I remember my grandfather reaming cut down .308's on a drill press using a little stand/shell holder that bolted to the presses table. I think it was made by Lyman? It still sucked but, not as bad. You had more control over depth.

One thing about making brass for these types of Wildcats, you do not really need 500 cases. They are low volume shooters for the most part. I still have about 300 .357 B&D cases that I have never loaded! It's a single shot rifle, I don't know what I was thinking when I made over 600 cases! LOL, YMMV

 

[03fatboy]

Thanks for the information will look into the shell holder on drill press
The problem I was running into on reaming with the 308's was them wanting to spin in the shell holder and getting real inconsistant thickness on the side walls when I could get them to hold.
I would be more than happy with 100 pcs. of brass as much as the auto mag will be shot that would do.
Have been pm'ing OLD GRUMPY and his buddy ordered from starline and the eta on brass is spring 2014 and that might be the easiest way to go, just order and wait,just thought i could master making brass for it and hate to give up.

 

[DM~]

Aren't you reaming them while they are in the proper die???

DM

 

[03fatboy]

I am, but the shell holder/ die won't hold them from spinning.
Would it be better to "creep" up to the desired .429 instead of taking it all at once?
The dies are rcbs
Trim die
Neck ream die
.429 reamer with stop set from the factory
reamer chucked in a cordless drill and going as slow as possible with lube and cleaning the shaving's out as i go .

 

[DM~]

I'm not sure how to answer your question, because i never had your problem while making them.

I'll take a guess and say, it's using the "drill" that causes the problem. It's making the reamer too aggressive.

Start over, make one by hand and see what you get that way... If that doesn't work, i'd make a call to RCBS.

DM

 

[03fatboy]

Thanks for your advice,when I get alittle more time I will sit down and try it by hand and see if I can master it.
I'll probably put a order in at starline just to hedge my bet.
Thanks again
03fatboy

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Make sure he keeps the spring guide rods tight or he will shear off the cocking block. Those are really hard to come by now. Also don't overtighten and strip out the heli-coils.

Good luck.