reloading 44 special

bill k · March 14, 2005, 07:35 PM

I want to try reloading a few 44 special rounds to see how the recoil is compared to a 44 mag. I don't have any 44 special brass, can I just trim 44 mag brass down to the correct length?

jem375 · March 14, 2005, 08:46 PM

just shoot 44 mags with a target load of 7.5-8 grs. of Unique with a 240-250 gr. bullet....same thing..

Ruger # 1 · March 14, 2005, 09:55 PM

There is no need to trim your brass. 90% of the loads I use in my .44 Mag. are .44 Special loads. I just use 44 special data in Magnum brass. I usually use the max. Special load data for the Magnum brass because of the slightly larger case capacity of Magnum brass. In other words, I wouldn't use 44 Special starting loads in Magnum brass.

44 Special loads are plenty potent, and they're easier on you and your gun. I can shoot full house loads in my .44, but I definitely enjoy the lighter loads more. One of my favorites pushes a 180 gr. Hornady XTP at about 1100 fps.

zeke · March 15, 2005, 06:34 AM

180 gn jhp's over 10.0 gns unique (44 mag brass, Fed 150 primer), get about 1150 fps from 4 in 44 mag, with excellent accuracy. Slighty Warmer than 44 special. Haven't tried Red Dot or 231 yet, but might get that accuracy at slower velocity.

Speer has reloading data for 44 mag and 200 gn GD on their website. Lighter charges of Red Dot and 231 gave excellent accuracy at about 1050 fps (again, 4 in barrel). Standard Speer Blaser 44 special 200 GD loads used to get about 900 fps from 4 in.

Paul B. · March 15, 2005, 01:39 PM

The late Skeeter Skelton liked 7.5 gr. of Unique with a 240 gr. cast lead semiwadcutter in the .44 Spl. To get approximately the same results, try 8.5 gr. of Unique in the .44 magnum brass. Works for me.

Paul B.

Edward429451 · March 15, 2005, 02:15 PM

Depending on how much 44 mag ammo you load, you might want to go ahead and use 44 special brass for the simple reason of easier identification of the loads later on. Especially if you leave the maggie loaded for awhile or leave ammo in speedloaders.

44 mag brass can be trimmed to 44 special length and on down to 44 russian length too. 0.97" for russian length. Sometimes I toy with the idea of trimming down somw mag brass just to mess with my friends to show off my '44 Mag' CA Bulldog...

(bad idea, I know. I haven't done it)

March 14, 2005, 07:35 PM	#1
bill k Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Location: Dog Creek, CA Posts: 457	reloading 44 special I want to try reloading a few 44 special rounds to see how the recoil is compared to a 44 mag. I don't have any 44 special brass, can I just trim 44 mag brass down to the correct length? __________________ Retired Air Force 8th TFW The Wolfpack

March 14, 2005, 08:46 PM	#2
jem375 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 390	just shoot 44 mags with a target load of 7.5-8 grs. of Unique with a 240-250 gr. bullet....same thing.. __________________ Life is too short to spend it with an ugly gun..... NRA Life Member

March 15, 2005, 01:39 PM	#5
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,801	The late Skeeter Skelton liked 7.5 gr. of Unique with a 240 gr. cast lead semiwadcutter in the .44 Spl. To get approximately the same results, try 8.5 gr. of Unique in the .44 magnum brass. Works for me. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

March 14, 2005, 09:55 PM	#3
Ruger # 1 Member Join Date: December 6, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 86	There is no need to trim your brass. 90% of the loads I use in my .44 Mag. are .44 Special loads. I just use 44 special data in Magnum brass. I usually use the max. Special load data for the Magnum brass because of the slightly larger case capacity of Magnum brass. In other words, I wouldn't use 44 Special starting loads in Magnum brass. 44 Special loads are plenty potent, and they're easier on you and your gun. I can shoot full house loads in my .44, but I definitely enjoy the lighter loads more. One of my favorites pushes a 180 gr. Hornady XTP at about 1100 fps.

March 15, 2005, 06:34 AM	#4
zeke Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 1999 Location: NW Wi Posts: 1,671	180 gn jhp's over 10.0 gns unique (44 mag brass, Fed 150 primer), get about 1150 fps from 4 in 44 mag, with excellent accuracy. Slighty Warmer than 44 special. Haven't tried Red Dot or 231 yet, but might get that accuracy at slower velocity. Speer has reloading data for 44 mag and 200 gn GD on their website. Lighter charges of Red Dot and 231 gave excellent accuracy at about 1050 fps (again, 4 in barrel). Standard Speer Blaser 44 special 200 GD loads used to get about 900 fps from 4 in.

March 15, 2005, 02:15 PM	#6
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Depending on how much 44 mag ammo you load, you might want to go ahead and use 44 special brass for the simple reason of easier identification of the loads later on. Especially if you leave the maggie loaded for awhile or leave ammo in speedloaders. 44 mag brass can be trimmed to 44 special length and on down to 44 russian length too. 0.97" for russian length. Sometimes I toy with the idea of trimming down somw mag brass just to mess with my friends to show off my '44 Mag' CA Bulldog... (bad idea, I know. I haven't done it)