45 long colt brass used for 44 mag

[Constrictor]

Is it possible to size down 45 long colt brass to use as 44 mag? They are very close in size and the same length.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Short answer: No.

Fred

 

[Old Fuff]

While the rim diameter is similar, the ,45 has a much larger body, and there is no way you could size down the solid head back by the rim. If you can't side it down there is no way it would seat in a .44 Magnum chamber.

Sorry 'bout that...

 

[Constrictor]

thanks guys.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Sorry for the short answer, but I was on the phone when I read your question and I typed the answer with one finger. The .45 Colt is way too large to be sized down to .44.

If you have lots of .45 Colt brass, and need .44 Magnum brass, I'll trade you.

Hope this helps.

 

[SpamHandler]

Especially considering that the .45 Colt may well be balloon-head cases.

 

[rcmodel]

There have been no balloon-head cases made since WWII.
Semi-balloon head for at least 30 years or more.

It is very unlikely you will ever see one, unless you hang out at old-timers estate sales.

rcmodel

 

[SpamHandler]

The point that I was trying to make is that balloon-heads exist for the .45 Colt, whereas AFAIK, there are no .44 Mag balloon-heads. It's just one more reason to avoid this plan.

 

[1858rem]

so how about 44 mag used for 45 colt? i have about 100 rds of 44 mag an no gun but i do shoot 45 colt.....whatcha think. probably reduce charge b/c less case capacity after trimming down. the brass ought to hold up better if that works?

 

[zxcvbob]

so how about 44 mag used for 45 colt?

I'm pretty sure the cases will split when you fire them the first time. (just trade with "Constrictor")

 

[1858rem]

even after resizing to fit the .452 bullet? what hazards might i need to watch for? if i can easily enough run it through my sizer dies i might try it unless i find a good reason not to...

 

[zxcvbob]

The sizer die won't even touch it.

 

[1858rem]

there that idea goes lol. no local range to find brass an buyin sucks. prob wouldnt even find 45 colt at any round here...even non local lol

 

[moosehunt]

You seem pretty convinced you're going to try, so go ahead. You will never get a .45 LC case sized down even close to chambering in a .44, so you won't hurt anything/body there. You may get some .44 cases stretched enough to get .45 bullets in them, thus into the chamber of a .45LC, but all you're going to do is blow them apart, as in major rupture. Who knows, you might not even get hurt or damage your gun, though I personally wouldn't bet that way. Please post after pictures of you, the gun, and what's left of the cases. I would suggest max loads for greatest effect!

 

[Mal H]

You seem pretty convinced you're going to try, so go ahead.

If you're talking about the original poster, Constrictor, I don't think he has said or even implied that.

 

[achildofthesky]

The best way to resize the 45 LC to 44 Mag would be to sell the 45 brass on the classifieds and buy or trade for the 44 magnum's. Not trying to be a smarty pants but there is a pretty active market for both.

Be safe

Patty

 

[1858rem]

achildofthesky that works well lol..



...an for some reason i thought my sizer also had an expander... it does not, and as afore mentioned, the 44 cases dont even come close to the 45 colt die lol

 

[ScottsGT]

Need any .44 remington hollow point bullets for reloading? I've got about 500 that I need to sell or trade off. How much .45LC brass do you have?

 

[1858rem]

not much~200 of 45 lc...... but im trying to get more soon, midway was out recently for some reason lol. btw i dont shoot 44 mag, jus got a few cases for free from a friend.

 

[454PB]

You CAN size .45 ACP cases to fit a .44 magnum. I used to do it back when I got my first .44. A co-worker had a 5 gallon bucket full of .45 ACP military brass and gave me several pounds. I was young, poor, and adventurous, so I followed the instructions in an article in Handloader Magazine and formed them into what I call 45/44. The initial forming is a lot of work, but only has to be done once.

With this formed brass, you can safely attain high end .44 special ballistics.

I latter learned the negative consequences of firing short brass in a long chamber, and quit using these modified cases. But...it can be done!