44 special (and magnum)

[RB98SS]

Can someone give me some basic info on reloading this caliber? I have plenty of experience with .44 mag, but only with jacketed bullets. What I need to know is with the .44 special and jacketed bullets, do I roll crimp just like 44 magnum?

The other question I have is in regards to lead cast bullets in special and magnum. I'm totally lost regarding lube and gas checks. Can someone please give me some insight as far as that is concerned? Are gas checks and lube required for all lead bullets?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wil Terry]

Question 1. Yes
Question 2. Lube Yes; Gaschecks No.

 

[Walkalong]

The .44 Special is a great cartridge. You will like it. I have had great success with 700X and lead bullets in the .44 Spl. Roll crimp into the crimp groove on hard cast bullets. It is easy to load for. Most any store bought cast bullet will shoot well without leading issues.

Jacketed bullets load just like the .44 Mag, just less powder and different speed powders. W296 and H110 etc will not work in the Special. Not enough pressure. Fast to medium powders work well.

 

[Slamfire]

The other question I have is in regards to lead cast bullets in special and magnum. I'm totally lost regarding lube and gas checks. Can someone please give me some insight as far as that is concerned? Are gas checks and lube required for all lead bullets?

You will have some horrible leading without bullet lube.

As far as gas checks, I have loaded 32 S&W L, 9mm, 38 Spl, #57, 44 Spl and 44 Mag, 45 ACP, 45 LC, and 45/70 without gas checks and had exceptional accuracy.

Then I fired some 311 284 and 311 299 Lyman bullets without gas checks in a 30-06.

Lets say 6 foot spread, possibly, at 100 yards. Hard to know, not all bullets hit the target frame.

However life got significantally better when I put gas checks on the bases.

 

[Walkalong]

Then I fired some 311 284 and 311 299 Lyman bullets without gas checks in a 30-06.

Lets say 6 foot spread, possibly, at 100 yards. Hard to know, not all bullets hit the target frame.

However life got significantally better when I put gas checks on the bases.

Well now, that's a different story at rifle velocities. Yer scaring the young man SlamFire1.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

+1 for walkalong's #3 post.

 

[SASS#23149]

nearly all cast bullets you will buy come pre-lubed,and gas checks will be attached IF you order gas-checked bullets.gc bullets are for hot loaded/higher velocity Magnum rounds.The gas checks can only go on a bullet that is made to take them,btw.

 

[RB98SS]

Thanks fo all the info.

Appreciate it.

 

[hawkeye1]

The 44 mag is great, but in my opinion, the 44 special is even better. The recoil is much less and the .429 bullet is more than enough for hunting up to and including deer. I like a 215 grain home cast SWC, from wheel weights, lubed and sized to .430 with W-231. It is great to shoot and has the power to take deer cleanly. I don't use gaschecks with the 44 special, as the velocities are not high enough to warrant their use. No leading and great accuracy. Give it a try.

good shooting