Anyone in the Phoenix Area w/44 Russian Dies?

[Johnm1]

So this is an odd request. It's time to function test my S&W 44 DA and like an idiot I forgot to order the dies and I'm anxious to test this weekend. Is there anyone in the Phoenix area, heck anywhere within a couple hundred miles of Phoenix that would let me load 50 black powder cartridges today/tomorrow?

It would not take long. I have 1 box of 50 factory smokeless rounds. So all I'd need to do is flare, charge w/blackpowder, seat/crimp.

Here is the beast



The thread on the repairs are here

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ouble-action-yeah-this-is-getting-old.919057/

 

[armoredman]

You might call Legendary Guns, they might have the dies in stock.

 

[Johnm1]

You might call Legendary Guns, they might have the dies in stock.

Thanks. But no luck there. I may just have to be patient.

I'm very patient during the repair stages. But now that its ready I'm like a kid on Christmas eve.

 

[Nullcone]

Bruno's shows RCBS Cowboy 44 Special/Russian dies in stock; sorry I didn't see this until it was too late for you to get there today.

Maybe Monday...

HTH

 

[Johnm1]

Bruno's shows RCBS Cowboy 44 Special/Russian dies in stock; sorry I didn't see this until it was too late for you to get there today.

Maybe Monday...

HTH

If I had been smart enough to check there first, I could have solved my own problems. But thanks for the lead.

 

[MikeInOr]

Been there, done that. Unfortunately patients is your best course. Like most I won't reload for a stranger or shoot a strangers reloads. For something unique like black powder cartridges for that revolver you really need to take your time and work up loads slowly. I completely understand wanting to take a new toy to the range but this is not a hobby where you can get away with cutting corners for very long and the consequences can be pretty drastic.

Is it worth risking the full use of your shooting hand to get to the range a few days earlier?

P.S. Cool revolver, I would be anxious too!

 

[Johnm1]

While I'm waiting I'm going to load up some black powder 32 & 38 S&W for the rest of the double action family

 

[armoredman]

I shoulda thought of Brunos - I blank his name out due to those incredibly high prices like a defense mechanism.

 

[Johnm1]

I shoulda thought of Brunos - I blank his name out due to those incredibly high prices like a defense mechanism.

I think of Brunos as a place to buy projectiles. I forget they are a full service gun store. Geared towards the bench rest community. Pricing has never been an issue. I don't think I've ever purchased anything there.

 

[Kp321]

If you have other 44 cal dies, any 44 sizing die will work, Mag or Special. The flare and seating dies need to be shortened to work on the Russian. Spacer washers are then used when loading the longer rounds.

 

[Johnm1]

If you have other 44 cal dies, any 44 sizing die will work, Mag or Special. The flare and seating dies need to be shortened to work on the Russian. Spacer washers are then used when loading the longer rounds.

For years my LGS has had used 44 mag sets for $19. And I do have one firearm that shoots 44 mag. But it is a Ruger 44 Carbine and there isn't much load development involved with that carbine. It is tuned to operate using the factory 240 grain loading and doesn't have much leeway for different bullet weights or velocities. The manual states to use only 44 magnum cartridges. I've read it won't function reliably with 44 special. The carbine was always going to be a low round count affair, so I never bought them. I'd be more than willing to modify a $19 st of dies if I'd have been so forward thinking. But of course, he doesn't have any now.

 

[JSneezy]

I think of Brunos as a place to buy projectiles. I forget they are a full service gun store. Geared towards the bench rest community. Pricing has never been an issue. I don't think I've ever purchased anything there.

Projectiles and powder are about the only things I buy at Bruno's any more. And I usually have a friend go over there since he lives about 10 minutes away, while I'm about an hour and 10 minutes away. Powder pricing there has been pretty good lately, and projectiles aren't too bad. Primers is still pretty high, but seems to be about the same everywhere.

 

[Johnm1]

Well I bit the bullet and picked up the set from Bruno’s. Paid too much but it’s done.