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luger01, question for you on .44s

robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
We were talking about about dual cartridge guns the other day remember? I cant find the post, but I printed what you had to say on the subject and have a question. Except for the bottle necked cartridge, which I dont need anyway, couldnt I make the others by just shortening .44 mag cases? I was interested in possibly trying this for the .44 Russian, its the only one I could find reloading info. on easily. Thanks Rob.
SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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Comments

  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You could trim 44mags to make 44spl & American.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes sir, I knew you could make the .44 special, wasnt sure if I wanted to go as short as the American, dont know right off where to find info. on reloading for it either. I'd like to find out if I can do it for the Colt and Russian. I've got the info. for reloading the Russian but not the Colt. Thanks for the info. on the American, do you know where to find reloading info. on the American, or the Colt?
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Rob; here is what I find in "The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions" by John J. Donnelly.44 Colt Make from .44 S&W Mag. Turn rim to .483" dia. and thin, if necessary, to .045 - .047" thick. Trim to length. .44 Spl. dies can be used to size & load. Loading data Bullet wt. 210 grs., Type lead, Powder wt. 7.5 grs., type Unique.Page560.44 Russian Make from .44 Mag or Spl. Trim case to length. Use .44 Spl dies to size and seat.Loading data. Bullet wt. 246 grs. Powder wt. 3.6 grs B'Eye. gives 700 fps Velocity.Page 565.44 American Make from .41 S&W Magnum Thin rim to .05" thick and trim case to length. F/L sizeLoading data. Bullet wt. 200 grs. lead. Powder wt. 4.3 grs 230P for 740 fps velocity.Page 566Does this help?VetSSgt Robert E Reeves USMC, Ret.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Saxon, reason for making them from .44 mag is that I have a ton of them, more than I need for my .44. Figured I could make some for ONE of these and the difference would be so obvious that there is nothing to worry about with the handstamp markings. Thanks for the info. on the trimming.Marine, VET, thanks for the research and time spent typing the info. Its extremely helpful in my search for the info. I needed and probably enough to get me started, I really appreciate your help. Semper FiI think I've received enough info. from you guys to decide to go with the Russian, it seems the least painful to load, I suppose a 240 gr. bullet would not hurt anything instead of a 246 gr. bullet. This load should take up the least amount of powder, even less than the 44 Special, and provide me with some cheap practice with my shooting skills.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC[This message has been edited by robsguns (edited 01-04-2002).]
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like 200gr swc with copper wash for 44-40 &44spl because of the lesser recoil. My loads go from 800 to 1200fps and they are much more fun with the lighter bullet in the SAA and even more so in the light Charter Arms Target Bulldog.
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  • luger01luger01 Member Posts: 230 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Robsguns,Sorry I am coming in late on this one.Yes, you could shorten .44 mag cases to get the right lengths, but the problem would be in the casse thicknesses. If you section a .44 mag case, you can see how it gets thicker toward the web (rim end). What you would end up with by shortening it to a .44 American length is aa rather thick case where the bullet is seated. When you seat a .429 caliber bullet, your case will be either too large or a tight fit in a chamber, unless you turn it down to the proper thickness.Also, a thicker case means smaller capacity, and hence, higher pressures than a load designed for the thinner case.So, yes it can be done, but you will need to turn the shortened cases to get the proper thicknesses and use lighter loads.Best,Dan "Luger01"
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Luger01, Thanks for the reply, I believe I will try the .44 Russian. Rob.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Robsguns- The 44 Colt for the 1872 uses a heel type bullet only. How do you intend to crimp it ?
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am going to try to use the Russian, not the Colt. There isnt anything I should know about the Russian, is there?
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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