Will 44 mag dies work for 44 special?
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Bullseye
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I was going to start a new thread and searched first and found my own with an old answer to a new question I had. I have Lee #90512 die set is 44 Magnum only.
When I started this thread I had not yet reloaded any 44's.
Now that I have a new revolver in 44 spl and a bunch of brass in special I went to adjust the dies and sure enough, I cannot reach the mouth of the cases to flare them or crimp so I am going to get a set of 44 special dies. At least I can leave them adjusted that way and not be changing the settings back and forth. Thanks, for all the replies. And ArchAngelCD knew exactly what he was talking about.
When I started this thread I had not yet reloaded any 44's.
Now that I have a new revolver in 44 spl and a bunch of brass in special I went to adjust the dies and sure enough, I cannot reach the mouth of the cases to flare them or crimp so I am going to get a set of 44 special dies. At least I can leave them adjusted that way and not be changing the settings back and forth. Thanks, for all the replies. And ArchAngelCD knew exactly what he was talking about.
gamestalker
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I found a solution when the .40 cal. was brought into production, having only a dedicated 10mm die set, I was unable to use the powder thru die to bell the case mouths, cause the brass wasn't long enough to reach the belling feature. So I started using a different method, something I've discussed in several other threads, I won't elaborate at this time. I'll just say this, I discovered a way to seat bullets without having to bell, so no crimp was necessary.
And in all honesty, if I'm just loading a small batch of 100 or so, I don't mind skipping the belling step, kind of prefer it actually. But it is some what cumbersome to load / seat large batches of 300+ bullets without belling, so it has been a bit more time consuming, even when chamfering the inside of the mouth to help the bullet seat straight and without shaving, is some what more tedious.
Update, a few days ago I had to do a batch of a thousand rounds of .40 cal and wasn't too thrilled about the additional time and effort that would be necessary. So, I devised a method of solving this problem with my current 10mm die when loading .40 cal. as follows:
I took my Lee 10mm powder die apart, added a sized and evenly trimmed piece of brass to the inside to use as a spacer between the belling stem, and the threaded adjustment knob on top. This allowed for the stem to reach down far enough to attain completely normal belling function. It worked perfectly, and solved my long time short coming (pun intended) when loading .40 cal. with the dedicated 10mm die set. I would venture to guess this could be adapted to function with most common die's, but I haven't tried it with RCBS as yet.
As for other die sets of similar design and dedicated to one specific longer cartridge, the method I used could probably be applied by using just about anything metallic and that has or can be fashioned to dimensional characteristic that would serve as a spacer. If too long, a piece of 44 special brass trimmed down to a functional length, it would likely work just fine.
GS
And in all honesty, if I'm just loading a small batch of 100 or so, I don't mind skipping the belling step, kind of prefer it actually. But it is some what cumbersome to load / seat large batches of 300+ bullets without belling, so it has been a bit more time consuming, even when chamfering the inside of the mouth to help the bullet seat straight and without shaving, is some what more tedious.
Update, a few days ago I had to do a batch of a thousand rounds of .40 cal and wasn't too thrilled about the additional time and effort that would be necessary. So, I devised a method of solving this problem with my current 10mm die when loading .40 cal. as follows:
I took my Lee 10mm powder die apart, added a sized and evenly trimmed piece of brass to the inside to use as a spacer between the belling stem, and the threaded adjustment knob on top. This allowed for the stem to reach down far enough to attain completely normal belling function. It worked perfectly, and solved my long time short coming (pun intended) when loading .40 cal. with the dedicated 10mm die set. I would venture to guess this could be adapted to function with most common die's, but I haven't tried it with RCBS as yet.
As for other die sets of similar design and dedicated to one specific longer cartridge, the method I used could probably be applied by using just about anything metallic and that has or can be fashioned to dimensional characteristic that would serve as a spacer. If too long, a piece of 44 special brass trimmed down to a functional length, it would likely work just fine.
GS
Valkman
Member
Yes Dillon dies do both, I had mine set up for 44 Mag and then got into Special so I adjusted them and loaded up a bunch. Going to be a pain adjusting them back and forth though.
ArchAngelCD
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Sorry you had to buy another set of dies but in reality it is easier to have 2 sets anyway. lol
What? No pictures of the new revolver!!!
GBExpat
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I have a Lee 3-die Carbide reloading set that is marked as .44 Special but the instruction sheet indicates that it can also be used for .44 Magnum ... as I have been doing for years.
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Bullseye
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FTX loading tests and pics
The "new" revolver isn't new, It is only the latest acquisition in the 44 group. I went and bought a set of Lee 44 special only dies last night on Flea-Bay.
I also had some success last night tinkering with 225 gr FTX seating with a Hornady die into empty Hornady cartridges without mashing the rubber tip to an OAL of 1.647 ish, (Supposed to be 1.645) but I went with the factory loaded cartridge before finding the OAL info.
I compare a live load with my empty primerless and powderless test in the caliper and they are equal length.
All I get is the faintest ring and it handled a factory 44 magnum crimp die too. I think I am going to start out with 10.8 gr unique. These "tests" cycle nicely in the Henry Big Boy.
The "new" revolver isn't new, It is only the latest acquisition in the 44 group. I went and bought a set of Lee 44 special only dies last night on Flea-Bay.
I also had some success last night tinkering with 225 gr FTX seating with a Hornady die into empty Hornady cartridges without mashing the rubber tip to an OAL of 1.647 ish, (Supposed to be 1.645) but I went with the factory loaded cartridge before finding the OAL info.
I compare a live load with my empty primerless and powderless test in the caliper and they are equal length.
All I get is the faintest ring and it handled a factory 44 magnum crimp die too. I think I am going to start out with 10.8 gr unique. These "tests" cycle nicely in the Henry Big Boy.
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