I am going to pick up my new SRH Alaskan .44 soon and I eventually plan on reloading that caliber once I secure some large pistol primers and gather additional items such as dies and other components. In the meantime, I plan on buying both practice/training loads and defensive Buffalo Bore 300r JFN rounds.
Initially, I was thinking of acquiring .44 specials to train with and would keep that brass to reload with. It was suggested on another thread that I consider just using .44 mag and then when I reload, just lower the charge. If I did use .44 mag brass with a lower charge, then CCI #300 primers would be ok, correct?
I have been reloading .38 specials, 9mm, .40 with a Dillon 550B and 30.06 individually for years. Everything, except the .38 special, uses a FMJ. My .38 spl uses DEWC that has a very, very low load so as not to cause leading in the barrel. While I have never had a leading problem, I have seen other people’s revolvers that had.
So, back to the .44. I’m afraid to buy anything with a lead cast bullet and a higher velocity. Though, I did find a Fiocche .44 spl 210gr LRNFP pushing 750fps. This seems low. Though, I’m not sure of the lead’s hardness. Does anyone know if it causes leading? Obviously, if I went this route, now I will have both .44 spl and .44 mag brass.
On the other hand, I can just buy .44 mag 240gr FMJ rounds and not mess with any lead cast or .44 spl brass. In the future when I will reload the .44, more than likely I would buy the 240gr JSP from Montana Gold Bullet.
Sorry for the long post. What are your thoughts or suggestions?