Handloading the .44 Russian

[Landric]

Being the owner of several .44 Special revolvers, and generally being the kind of person that can't resist trying something new when it comes to guns and such, I decided I wanted to give handloading the .44 Russian a try. I noticed that Lee offers dies specifically for the .44 Russian (for less than half of what other companies want for .44 Russian specific dies) and brass is available new from Starline at not totally unreasonable prices. Bullets are the same as those for the .44 Special, so that isn't an issue. So, I figured what the heck.

I ordered a set of Lee dies and a 100 count bag of Starline brass. I figure I probalby could have used my .44 Special dies to load it, but they are currently set up as I want them for .44 Special. I figured spending $25 on the Lee dies was better than changing back and forth on settings. I expect the dies and brass mid-week or so. I'll be using my .44 Special 200 grain RNFP bullets. Both my Speer Manual and online sources list 200 grain lead bullet data, and it looks like its possible to get close to .44 Special levels with the Russian.

So, I'm looking forward to trying something new. I figure if I like the .44 Russian, I'll probably buy a bulk box of 1000 new cases and that will likely last me forever. If I don't like it, I'm only out about $45 for the dies and brass I bought.

So, anyone have any advice, loads they like, or quirks I should expect?

TIA

 

[Walkalong]

I have the Lee die set and Starline .44 Russian brass. I bought some D&J 200 Gr cast bullets to try, as well as some 240 Gr plated bullets I already had. Loading it is pretty straight forward. No problems at all. Speer #13 has some 200 Gr lead bullet data, and I made my best guess with the 240 Gr plated bullets as well as some Remington 180 & 210 Gr JHP's.

I was using 700X, but most any fast burning to medium fast powder should work fine. It is easier to get clean burning light plinker loads with Russian brass because of its lesser capacity.

I would try Red Dot, American Select, 700X, AA #2, WST, W-231, N310, N320, Clays, Solo 1000, or Bullseye if you have one of these. AA #5 or Unique if you want to get more velocity.

Let us know how things work out.

 

[lead-inspector]

Trail Boss

I shoot Cowboy Action Shooting. For .44 Russian I use Trail Boss with a lead 200 gr. bullet. 3.0 gr @647 fps to 3.9 gr. @747 fps. Mild loads. The same 200 gr.bullet with Titegroup 3.5 gr, @ 738 fps to 4.8 @ 963 fps. for a little more zest. Those are the two powders I use.

Steve

 

[Landric]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm looking to make about 850fps with the 200 grain bullet out of a 4" N-frame. I figure that should be plenty mild. I'm glad to hear that is reasonable.

As far as powder selection, I have HS-6, 231, Titegroup, and Universal available. I'm not against buying other powder, but I'd like to make due with what I already have. I have .44 Special data for HS-6, and I've found .44 Russian data for the other three.

Keep the advice coming!