44mag die help?

[Axis II]

I went to order 44 mag dies and see midway has 44spl-44mag dies in the 4 die set and 44mag dies in the 3 die set. price is almost the same for both I just didn't get how one says 44mag/44spl and the other doesn't.

what one do I need for loading 44rem mag in a rifle and possibly a handgun?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/875273/lee-deluxe-carbide-4-die-set-44-special-44-remington-magnum

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/790382/lee-carbide-3-die-set-44-remington-magnum

 

[Rule3]

The 4 die 44 SPECIAL will load both 44 Special AND 44 MAG

The 44 MAG will only load 44 MAG.

Buy the 44 SPECIAL ( in case you may want to load 44 Special in the future)

The same holds true for 39 Special 357 Mag dies.

 

[stoky]

Don't end up grinding down .357 dies so you can load .38s, like somebody I know did.

 

[Axis II]

thanks guys. just wanted to make sure I got the right thing. nothing like buying them and not working than have to pay shipping to me and back to them. at the price I would probably just keep them. HAHA.

 

[Reloadron]

The RCBS Part #18612 includes a 0.133" spacer. The spacer is used when loading 44 Magnum. This is a 3 die carbide set. This set also includes an extra bullet seater plug allowing different types of bullet seating.

The 4 Die Lee set includes a Lee FCD (Factory Crimp Die).

Lee 3 Die Set 44 Magnum
Die Types Included
Carbide Full Length Sizing Die with Decapping Unit
Powder Through Expanding Die
Bullet Seating Die

Lee 4 Die Set 44 Magnum & 44 Special
Die Types Included
Carbide Full Length Sizing Die with Decapping Unit
Powder Through Expanding Die
Bullet Seating Die
Carbide Factory Crimp Die

The Lee set does not use a spacer like the RCBS set. If you want to apply a factory crimp (44 Magnum you typically use a firm roll crimp) you can get the 4 Die set which includes the FCD.

My Lee 3 Die Set sitting here did not include a shell holder so make sure you buy a shell holder when you get the Dies ordered. RCBS #18 or Lee equivelent.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

.44 Spl dies will load .44 Mag because .44 Mag is longer (Same for .38 Spl and .357 Mag). That is what the .44 Spl/.44 Mag dies are.

.44 Mag dies are longer and the shorter .44 Spl brass will not reach the crimp groove.

Here are the spacers I bought years ago when I only had one set of dies to load both. Eventually I got a second set of dies (.38Spl/.357 as well) so I don't have to use spacers or readjust anything.

The RCBS Part #18612 includes a 0.133" spacer. The spacer is used when loading 44 Magnum. This is a 3 die carbide set. This set also includes an extra bullet seater plug allowing different types of bullet seating.

and is what I recommend.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/365718/rcbs-carbide-3-die-set-44-special-44-remington-magnum

 

[Axis II]

The RCBS Part #18612 includes a 0.133" spacer. The spacer is used when loading 44 Magnum. This is a 3 die carbide set. This set also includes an extra bullet seater plug allowing different types of bullet seating.

The 4 Die Lee set includes a Lee FCD (Factory Crimp Die).

Lee 3 Die Set 44 Magnum
Die Types Included
Carbide Full Length Sizing Die with Decapping Unit
Powder Through Expanding Die
Bullet Seating Die

Lee 4 Die Set 44 Magnum & 44 Special
Die Types Included
Carbide Full Length Sizing Die with Decapping Unit
Powder Through Expanding Die
Bullet Seating Die
Carbide Factory Crimp Die

The Lee set does not use a spacer like the RCBS set. If you want to apply a factory crimp (44 Magnum you typically use a firm roll crimp) you can get the 4 Die set which includes the FCD.

My Lee 3 Die Set sitting here did not include a shell holder so make sure you buy a shell holder when you get the Dies ordered. RCBS #18 or Lee equivelent.

Ron

Ron/Wlk along.

If I'm just loading say hornady xtp type ammo or lead bullets. typically hunting type bullets would I need the RCBS with the specific seaters?

wont the lee 3 die set seating die roll crimp also?

I was thinking lee cause they are on sale and im trying to do this on a budget but if the rcbs will be a better fit than I might have to go that route.

 

[Reloadron]

The bullet seater plugs I mentioned allow easy seating of RN (Round Nose) and FP (Flat Point) bullets. The Hornady XTP is for example a RN bullet.

The Lee dies I have lying here are a Lee Part #90512 Three Die Set 44 Magnum. The seater plug is made for RN bullets. The seater die also provides a roll crimp when setup correctly.

I use RCBS but also have Lee lying around. Either will work. Unless you plan to use the powder through expanding die you really don't need it.

Ron

 

[stoky]

Sometimes it's nice to be able to seat and crimp in separate steps, e.g. with (some) cast bullets.

 

[mdi]

Yep, get the 3 die set http://leeprecision.com/3-die-set-44-spl-carbide.html. Lee stated on their catalog site that the .44 Special set will work with .44 Magnum also. FWIW I would suggest for a new reloader to separate the seating and crimping into two steps; seat all bullets, readjust die and crimp (roll). Easier to see/experience the two steps and fewer adjusting problems. I've been reloading .44 magnum since '87 and still separate the seat/crimp steps and I like Redding's Profile Crimp Die...

Also, don't bother with an FCD, plain old seating die and roll crimping die work quite well (and for the bizillions of rounds reloaded prior to Lee's introduction of their factory crimp die)...

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, the Lee 3 die set will do the same thing as the RCBS set. I prefer the newer style RCBS expander which mimics the "M die". Redding also copied the feature.

It's very easy to seat and crimp the XTP in one step.