Does anyone reload 44 Special ?

[Vince1968]

Hi I reload 44 Mag , have done for quite awhile as I use it in Gallery Rifle competitions

On my FAC I also have a quantity of 44 special allowance which I’ve only used to shoot factory rounds.

Does anyone reload 44 special and what brass do you use ?

I’ve not seen 44 special brass for sale anywhere local, so do you reload the brass that you have left after shooting your factory loads ?

I’ve got about 100 x 44 special brass that I could potentially reload with some extra dies

This is what I already do with my 38/357 cases.

Most of the people I know only reload 44 mag despite having an allowance on their FAC for 44 special.

My Police Authority list 44 special separate from 44 mag in the ammo allowance columns

Whereas, some authorities combine the calibres , ie 44 special/44 mag so it’s up to the individual to split the quantity between the 2.

Thanks In Advance for your input,

Cheers Stephen

 

[MarinePMI]

It's been awhile since I reloaded .44 Special; probably 15 years or so.

As to brass, you can cut down 44Mag brass (not sure how expensive it is there, but I've used range pick up .44 Mag without any issues). Just be advised, it's a lot to trim off with a case trimmer. You're better off using one of those mini chop saws to remove the bulk of the excess, then trim the final amount. Last I saw, I think Winchester was the only one making 44Spl brass, and since CAS shooting has died off, they don't make it much; maybe one run a year if there isn't a shortage going on. Years ago, I posted on here a diagram for making a jig that fits in those mini chinesium chopsaws, that used a Lee case trimmer shell holder. (If i have the time and remember, I'll post a pic in this thread; I think it's stuffed somewhere under one of my workbenches.)

Honestly, most just down load the 44 Mag, unless you specifically looking for an increased magazine capacity in a lever gun. (Or as you say, due to your ammo allowance).

As to dies, IIRC, you can set up 44 Mag dies for 44 Spl, and then use a steel shim to go back and forth between the two (my dies are probably 25yrs old, but they came with the additional shim, exactly for that purpose).

 

[A Guy Out West]

I load the .44 Special once in a while. I use Starline Brass. They also have .44 Russian brass, wonder if that would cause you a legal problem? Starline is usually reasonably priced.

 

[Smellydog]

If I wanted to reload 44 special and to answer the question, I think I'd opt for 44 special brass.

 

[Vince1968]

Excellent replies and good suggestions, I think I’ll source some more 44 special brass cases and go from there.

I already have to download my 44 mag as 2 of the club ranges that I belong to have a range limit.

The Gallery Rifle League competitions that I shoot in are only at 20 yards so perfect for such a reduced load.

I have another range which is 100 yards and I sometimes use 44 special or 44 mag factory if I can find it.

Thanks for all your help

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I took some .44 jacketed hollow point bullets melted out the lead then refilled the jacket with # 7 shot topped off with 2 component epoxy and load with a stiff load as they were underweight and shot them from my Rossi .44 Special they all work well. A home bubbad Glaser safety slug.
I did the same in 1996 in Buenos Aires with my .357 Mag Contender 8 inch barrel I estimated the velocity at 1,900 FPS they came out ats a 95 grain bullet = down from the 180 grain spitzer originals.

 

[MarinePMI]

I took some .44 jacketed hollow point bullets melted out the lead then refilled the jacket with # 7 shot topped off with 2 component epoxy and load with a stiff load as they were underweight and shot them from my Rossi .44 Special they all work well. A home bubbad Glaser safety slug.
I did the same in 1996 in Buenos Aires with my .357 Mag Contender 8 inch barrel I estimated the velocity at 1,900 FPS they came out ats a 95 grain bullet = down from the 180 grain spitzer originals.

Hmmm...that's pretty clever. I'll have to file that one away for later....

 

[A Guy Out West]

Stumbled across this today.

 

[enfieldspares]

I used Winchester 44 Special cases. Made and sold as just that, for reloaders, proper 44 Special.

 

[Muir]

I have a 1929 2nd Hand ejector S&W that I also use with Winchester .44 Special brass and a .430", 210 grain bullet. Superlative accuracy.~Muir