Getting ready to load .44 magnum

[drband]

Getting ready to load .44 magnum
Nobody mentioned the Lee Factory Crimp die...so I will. If you haven't tried one, you're missing out on a very good piece of kit! Being a collet type crimper, it isn't nearly so fussy about case length like a conventional roll crimp die will be. Unless you really like prepping cases, and can get them all within a few thousandths in length, you'll do better crimps easier with the Factory Crimp die. They're not expensive and once you use one...you'll want them for all your other calibers.
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Yes--I will be using the Lee FCD.
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Once you get the feel for how it recoils, it's a good thing to loosen up and let it roll a bit as this lessens the recoil...but don't let loose so much that you eat it!

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Good advice! Great story BTW.

 

[SARuger]

My 10.5" SBH likes 19.5g of 2400 pushing a Hornady 240g JSP. The recoil isn't killer either

 

[oldpapps]

"Thanks oldpapps! 2 yrs old? That's impressive!"
drband

Thank you. She used the same load when she got her carry permit, a little older than when she was 2. The 'guys' eyes popped out when she pulled out her Smith 29 for the range portion.... and put every round in the center of the target.

 

[drband]

Received brass. Waiting for bullets!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

"Thanks oldpapps! 2 yrs old? That's impressive!"
drband

Thank you. She used the same load when she got her carry permit, a little older than when she was 2. The 'guys' eyes popped out when she pulled out her Smith 29 for the range portion.... and put every round in the center of the target.

Outstanding! I love it when a well trained shooter can surprise the tester and change their perceptions of what's normal...

 

[mdi]

Mauser69. I'm not a newbee single action shooter and the gun I'm refering to is the square back trigger guard model. I'm not the only one to experience this as I had a couple friends that experience this "problem" too. I don't "limp wrist" and my guns don't jump out of my hands or point to the sky after each shot. This was my second .44 Magnum revolver out of three and I have shot everything through it from 123 gr. round lead balls up to max. loads of WC820 under a Ranch Dog 265 gr. T-Rex killer. No other gun had smacked my hand like the Ruger SBH (square trigger guard) and have never been "recoil shy". If my post scares a new .44 Magnum shooter, perhaps he should start reloading .44 Specials...

 

[drband]

Ain't skeered! LOL!!

 

[adcoch1]

Its the truth that you want to hold them looser than other style pistols. My SBH just recieved a dehorn job and the d shape trigger guard doesnt bite any more than my redhawk now. You just have to hold a single action a bit different.

 

[SARuger]

Hogue grips.......

 

[mdi]

FWIW, someone mentioned a Lee FCD, but they were talking about a Lee FCD for rifles (collet crimp), unless you find a special order from Lee where .44 Magnum can be had with a collet style crimp. For the Lee FCD for handguns, don't waste your time. Use a standard roll crimp die and you'll have no "post seating/crimping sizing" problems. If you learn to adjust your dies correctly you'll have no need for an FCD. I had one for my .44 Magnum but it now resides in a landfill somewhere in Southern Oregon. It swaged down my carefully sized lead bullets about .003" and caused leading. I removed the carbide ring, but the resulting crimp was uneven and rough. I went back to my Redding Profile Crimp die and all my .44 Magnums are happy again...

 

[Captaingyro]

Agree with mdi. Please don't use a Carbide Factory Crimp Die with cast lead loads, for the very reason he mentions. Before I knew better I tried one in .44 Magnum. The results were awful.

 

[OilyPablo]

I can't see a reason for FCD in a revolver. My thought and actual application the FCD is useful for auto feeders.

 

[Jlr2267]

I've used FCD without the carbide ring for thousands of 44 mag and 357 mag lead reloads without problem.

 

[drband]

I believe the solution might be to measure the bullet before and after crimp to determine if it has been sized by the FCD. Definitely could lead to problems. I will be on the lookout for that and will adjust my plan accordingly. Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

[TimSr]

Except for unusual circumstances, the crimp die that comes with your 3 die pistol die set is usually the right one for 99% of application s for that round.

 

[drband]

I'm going to start a new thread on 44magnum crimp issues so this thread doesn't get totally cluttered up. I'm sure plenty of folks will weigh in concerning crimping issues, techniques, etc...
Let's take those points there, please. Thanks.

Here's the thread...
Crimping issues ONLY, .44 magnum
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=799601