Making 44 spl out of 44 mag

RB98SS · February 21, 2008, 09:26 PM

I have a ton of 44 mag cases and would like to save a few bucks by trimming some mag cases down to special length.

Has anyone found a good way to trim or cut them down? Should I just break down and spend $35 for a couple hundred cases?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

joneb · February 21, 2008, 10:22 PM

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_ses...e10ac73321c437
A power trimmer would help. What are you reloading for ?

Sevens · February 21, 2008, 11:29 PM

Considering the physical effort it will take, it's probably worth it to buy new brass. Go with Starline.

Depending on what handgun you shoot them out of, why not try to duplicate .44 Special performance with your .44 mag brass?

Otherwise, if you still want to do it, it's certainly safe to do. Just a hassle.

scsov509 · February 21, 2008, 11:37 PM

Put a post up saying you want to trade with someone for 44 special cases.

RB98SS · February 21, 2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Depending on what handgun you shoot them out of, why not try to duplicate .44 Special performance with your .44 mag brass?

Its for a model 29. Doesn't the case capacity affect the load? Are you saying I can take the load data right from a special and apply it to a full magnum case without having to worry about pressures? Will the velocity be the same? I'm confused.

Sevens · February 22, 2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Its for a model 29. Doesn't the case capacity affect the load? Are you saying I can take the load data right from a special and apply it to a full magnum case without having to worry about pressures? Will the velocity be the same? I'm confused.

Velocity will not be the same when using .44 special load data in a magnum case. Velocity will be lower, pressure will be lower as you are loading in to a larger area.

If you take straight .44 special data and use it in a .44 mag case, you'll see lower velocities than the same load in a .44 special. So, you begin to work up from there. If you have a chronograph, the work is easy. If no chrono, it's going to take a little longer and the results won't be exact.

But it's safe, as long as you aren't building squib loads and getting bullets stuck in the barrel.

Compare the same powder and bullet load given for .44 special and then for .44 magnum, and start with a load well below the .44 mag, and yet, above the .44 special load.

If you had NO brass on hand, it would make sense to go buy a supply of .44 special brass to build .429" light to medium loads for shooting in a model 29.

If you had a heap of .44 mag brass, but you still want a light to medium load, you can simply use that .44 mag brass and load it lightly.

joneb · February 22, 2008, 12:26 AM

Just load .44 mag cases to .44spl + p and forget about .44spl

Walkalong · February 23, 2008, 02:57 PM

Agreed.

DBotkin · February 23, 2008, 09:25 PM

You can also use .44 Special loads and seat the bullets 1/8" deeper. Works especially well if you use cast bullets with a groove 1/8" (or close to it) back from the shoulder.

funon1 · February 24, 2008, 10:23 AM

like others have said and forget about trimming them. You will likely get better accuracy using the magnum cases in a magnum chamber anyway!

BTW, if you really want to unload the .44 mag brass, shoot me a pm

Funon1

February 21, 2008, 09:26 PM	#1
RB98SS Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2007 Location: Shoreview, MN Posts: 104	Making 44 spl out of 44 mag I have a ton of 44 mag cases and would like to save a few bucks by trimming some mag cases down to special length. Has anyone found a good way to trim or cut them down? Should I just break down and spend $35 for a couple hundred cases? Any ideas? Thanks in advance

February 21, 2008, 11:29 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Considering the physical effort it will take, it's probably worth it to buy new brass. Go with Starline. Depending on what handgun you shoot them out of, why not try to duplicate .44 Special performance with your .44 mag brass? Otherwise, if you still want to do it, it's certainly safe to do. Just a hassle. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 24, 2008, 10:23 AM	#10
funon1 Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: WA state Posts: 361	Unless your chambers are .44 Spl. load the .44 Mag cases like others have said and forget about trimming them. You will likely get better accuracy using the magnum cases in a magnum chamber anyway! BTW, if you really want to unload the .44 mag brass, shoot me a pm Funon1

February 21, 2008, 10:22 PM	#2
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_ses...e10ac73321c437 A power trimmer would help. What are you reloading for ?

February 21, 2008, 11:37 PM	#4
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	Put a post up saying you want to trade with someone for 44 special cases.

February 22, 2008, 12:26 AM	#7
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	Just load .44 mag cases to .44spl + p and forget about .44spl

February 23, 2008, 02:57 PM	#8
Walkalong Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: Al. Posts: 196	Agreed.

February 23, 2008, 09:25 PM	#9
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	You can also use .44 Special loads and seat the bullets 1/8" deeper. Works especially well if you use cast bullets with a groove 1/8" (or close to it) back from the shoulder.