.44 Mag ?

Bubba Jr.

I am getting ready to load some .44 Mag for my Rossi M92 lever action carbine. In setting up my press, I discovered an issue that has given me more questions than answers.

I will be loading some Magtech SJSP 240gr bullets into some once used Winchester brass that I have. My Lyman book shows the brass to have a max. 1.285" OAL. My used brass is between 1.280" - 1.275" OAL. I also have some new brass that measures about 1.275" OAL. My Lyman, Hornady, and Hodgdon books all show the OAL of the round to be 1.600" - 1.610".

If I try to seat the bullet to that length, the case mouth is not up to the cannelure of the bullet. If I seat the bullet deep enough to get into the cannelure, my OAL is 1.590" or less if I try to get the case mouth into the middle of the cannelure.

I've read on here where you need to crimp into the cannelure. So my question is, do I seat to the listed OAL, or seat into the cannelure and possibly run the risk of compressing the powder?

As always, I really appreciate the time you you experts take to answer my questions.

Thanks, Joe

Rocky Raab

You might need to make up one dummy round (no primer or powder) and check to insure a loaded round will feed. Start long and work shorter until you get the case mouth at the cannelure. If it still feeds and ejects at that shorter length, you're home free. You won't need to crimp that dummy, and when done, just pull the bullet.

Most handgun brass never grows as long as the "trim to" length, as odd as that might seem. Some of it gets shorter after a few loads. Most reloaders will simply trim them all to the same length, so they can use a standard crimp die setting, and let it go at that. Frankly, that's what I'd do - assuming the shorter length does in fact feed in your rifle.

Bubba Jr.

Hi Rocky,

I made up the dummy, and found that I had to go to 1.577" to get the mouth to the middle of the cannelure, and it still feeds fine in my rifle.

My only concern is that I may increase the pressure above the safe level. During my set up, I was measuring the powder and for 23.8 gr., it looked like I was at about the bottom of the bullet with the OAL at 1.600". BTW, I'm using Hodgdon's H-110. Do you think I should be concerned with the pressure?

Thanks again, Joe

Rocky Raab

I doubt it'll be an issue. You could measure the bullet shank below the cannelure, and then see what charge of H110 it takes to come just to that line, and count that as your maximum. H110 will accept a small amount of compression, but it doesn't like much. It is even less forgiving of airspace, which it does not like AT ALL. If I had to pick numbers, I'd say it performs best at 100 to 103% of full.

Bubba Jr.

OK, I'll try that tomorrow and go from there. Thanks a lot Rocky.[:)]

dcs shooters

My 44mag. hunting load is 23gr-H110 with a 240Rem HP. I get some powder compression, but no pressure signs. These are shot in a Ruger Redhawk and DW 8".

CapnMidnight

I shoot the same H110 load in my Colt Anaconda, works like a champ.
W.D.