.223 and 44 mag question

[gunnny12]

Hi all;

Can I load 5.56 cases with .223 loads,and can i just cut down 44 Rem mag cases for 44 special loads as soon as I find some?

Thanks






Jeff

[849ACSO]

The 5.56 cases are fine for .223. Only advice there is cut the crimp out of the primer pockets of the military 5.56 brass before trying to cram another primer in.

The 44SPL/44Mag question - I would certainly think so, but I have never done it. I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to give the "yes, I've done it" or the "No, because............"

[Doyle]

Do you really need .44 special sized brass (i.e. to fit a spcl chamber) or do you just want to shoot light loads in a .44 mag revolver?

[noylj]

I wouldn't destroy a .44 Mag case to make a .44 Spl case, unless I had a .44 Spl and could not find Spl cases any where. I seldom if ever shoot .38 Spl in a .357 and have never fired a .44 Spl in my .44 Mag. I have fired a lot of .38 Spl equivalent loads using .357 Mag brass, of course.
For "oddball" cartridges, I like to buy virgin cases (usually Starline) and go from there (100 would probably last me the rest of my life). It isn't like you will be chasing cases around the range after being ejected from your revolver.

[KEYBEAR]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk Flat top in 44 Special . 44 Mag brass fit in my 44 Special chamber and could be fired . I have a lot of 44 Special brass and I have no problem shooting 44 Special loads in my 44 Mag but will not .

Just buy some 44 Special brass

[Duster340]

I had several thousand 44 mag brass that I'd accumulated over the last 30+ years of use w my SBH. Picked up a 44 Bulldog and needed brass to load so being cheap, I got out my case trimmer and cordless drill, a few hours later had 300 44 special length cases. They load and fire just fine. Though I did mark the bottoms with a black sharper to make it easier to sort after day at the range.

[gunnny12]

Do you really need .44 special sized brass (i.e. to fit a spcl chamber) or do you just want to shoot light loads in a .44 mag revolver?

You hit it Doyle, seems as this was my Brothers gun RIP him, but it is a Ruger RedHawk, and yes want a lighter load to shoot until I readjust to shooting it again, he had 300 full 240 gr, HP, some appear to be military 44's as crimped in primers, can this be so? He was a Nam vet so I don't know.
Red lacquer around the primer pocket and well eyes not what they were, appear to say \ M / on the stamp side with a 44 Rem Mag also. Plus CCI what appear to be wad cutters but some take two hits of the firing pin to go off, from what I see the cases are thinner at the base so that might be that problem.
On the .223 I own a AR that does either 5.56 or .223 , but would be easier just to load all for .223 and get done with that.
The Ruger would say 7 1/2 barrel , heavier it feels then my Ruger Blackhawk from the 80's.

Thanks for the replies.

[Mobuck]

"some appear to be military 44's as crimped in primers, can this be so?"
Highly unlikely and well into the "nearly impossible zone".

No reason to shorten the cases for loading lighter loads for use in 44 mag. Most all reloading manuals have lighter loads(target loads) listed for use in full length cases.

"Can I load 5.56 cases with .223 loads"
Once it's resized, it's all the same outside dimensions. No real reason to "load 5.56" unless you're trying to meet some sort of shooting game requirements.

[TimSr]

Red lacquer around the primer pocket and well eyes not what they were, appear to say \ M / on the stamp side with a 44 Rem Mag also.

I have older 1980s Winchester brass "W-W Super" with the laquer around the primer. Perhaps your "M" is a "W"? Mine is not crimped though, and I've never heard of a 44 mag that was, or a military use for 44 mag.


I'm in agreement with everybody else - light target loads - no need to trim down brass. Cast/Lead bullets work best in light loads.

[Doyle]

The Ruger would say 7 1/2 barrel , heavier it feels then my Ruger Blackhawk from the 80's.

Probably because it is. The Redhawk is built to Rugers beefiest standards. It's a very tough revolver.

Like others have said, no need to trim brass. Just look for some target load recipes for .44 mag casings.

[sevt_chevelle]

I certainly would not trim that mag brass! Most of my 44 mag loads are nothing more then 44 special loads in mag brass.

Win231/HP38 with about 7.0 grains and a 240 gr lead SWC is a bunny fart round.

[GeauxTide]

Trim Mag brass. I shoot 8-9gr of Unique under 240 hard cast. In my SBH, it's a peach. In your RH, it would be a powder puff.

[Duster340]

Ditto on the 44 mag brass. No need to trim it to load the 44 mag to light 44 special levels. I only did it to make brass for a 44 special chambered revolver which I assumed was the OPs question. I load mid level 44 mag using 9.2 gr of Unique behind a 214-240 gr swc. Also have had great results with 6.3 gr of Red Dot behind 200 gr FN and 208 gr WC. Total cream puff in the 7.5" SBH and 4" 629.

Be well all

[gunnny12]

Thanks again all good answers , and I wll take pics over the weekend , of my ' Top Secret ' 44 cases. LOL




Jeff

[skizzums]

Like everyone else said, no need to trim your brass. Choose powders that either have low density(fluffy) that will give a decent case fill even on light loads(top contender on case fill will be 2400 by a longshot, then AA#9 and trailblazer,, or choose a powder that isn't sensitive to position/ignition etc like titegroup(TG would be my choice for light loads for case size, very safe powder and no problem touching off with standard primers in staying under mag pressures. One nice thing about loading lower calibers in longer cases is ease of extraction for revolvers. Have found running stout 38+p loads in 357mag brass will fall right out of the cylinders. Have fun

[gunnny12]

Good one Skizzums.



Jeff