.44 mag spacer?

mooch01 · September 9, 2011, 08:05 AM

I am a relatively new reloader and was learning to use my 44 mag dies (rcbs 3 set carbide) and playing around with crimping and such. i have loaded rifel bullets but never pistol. I have a pretty good understanding now of the expanding, seating,crimping adjustments but my die set came with a spacer to use for magnum loads. It says to adjust the seating depth and crimp as normal in the manual and then put the spacer under the die. It doesnt make any sense to me. I then have to readjust everything down the distance of the spacer to work. I made some loads without the spacer and they fired fine and looked right. Does anyone use the spacer?

dahermit · September 9, 2011, 09:10 AM

You set-up your dies to size, flair, seat and crimp .44 Spl. Then when you put the spacer ring between the die and the press, you should be good to go (everything set), for .44 Magnum.

Scorch · September 9, 2011, 10:56 AM

As dahermit said, only use the spacer if you also reload 44 Special with the same dies. Most manufacturers include a spacer ring for 44 Special/44 Magnum dies because the difference between them is just the length of the longer magnum case. Same for 38 Special/357 Magnum dies. Those spacer rings really confuse some folks!

wncchester · September 9, 2011, 10:58 AM

You are correct, toss the spacer/washer. Dies are very simple devices but it seems some folks have great difficulty moving from one case length to another and they need help. Ergo, the thick washers are sometimes provided to remove the need to think after adjusting the dies for short cases. Fortunately, not many people need or use them.

mooch01 · September 9, 2011, 07:05 PM

aha, that makes total sense. thanks.

mo84 · September 10, 2011, 06:48 PM

good question I learned somthing today. I always wondered with the washer was for.

tom234 · September 10, 2011, 11:06 PM

Washers/shims aren't required for the sizing die so only 2 are required. You can make up your own using these machine bushings available at Tractor Supply:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/agricul...7-pcs--1833846
Unfortunately die makers don't provide washers for .40 S&W/ 10mm.

September 9, 2011, 08:05 AM	#1
mooch01 Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Posts: 2	.44 mag spacer? I am a relatively new reloader and was learning to use my 44 mag dies (rcbs 3 set carbide) and playing around with crimping and such. i have loaded rifel bullets but never pistol. I have a pretty good understanding now of the expanding, seating,crimping adjustments but my die set came with a spacer to use for magnum loads. It says to adjust the seating depth and crimp as normal in the manual and then put the spacer under the die. It doesnt make any sense to me. I then have to readjust everything down the distance of the spacer to work. I made some loads without the spacer and they fired fine and looked right. Does anyone use the spacer?

September 9, 2011, 10:56 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	As dahermit said, only use the spacer if you also reload 44 Special with the same dies. Most manufacturers include a spacer ring for 44 Special/44 Magnum dies because the difference between them is just the length of the longer magnum case. Same for 38 Special/357 Magnum dies. Those spacer rings really confuse some folks! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 9, 2011, 09:10 AM	#2
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	You set-up your dies to size, flair, seat and crimp .44 Spl. Then when you put the spacer ring between the die and the press, you should be good to go (everything set), for .44 Magnum.

September 9, 2011, 10:58 AM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	You are correct, toss the spacer/washer. Dies are very simple devices but it seems some folks have great difficulty moving from one case length to another and they need help. Ergo, the thick washers are sometimes provided to remove the need to think after adjusting the dies for short cases. Fortunately, not many people need or use them.

September 9, 2011, 07:05 PM	#5
mooch01 Junior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Posts: 2	aha, that makes total sense. thanks.

September 10, 2011, 06:48 PM	#6
mo84 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 257	good question I learned somthing today. I always wondered with the washer was for.

September 10, 2011, 11:06 PM	#7
tom234 Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 753	Washers/shims aren't required for the sizing die so only 2 are required. You can make up your own using these machine bushings available at Tractor Supply: http://www.tractorsupply.com/agricul...7-pcs--1833846 Unfortunately die makers don't provide washers for .40 S&W/ 10mm.