Reloading 44 Magnum
Quote from Reloader on September 12, 2012, 10:05 pmHi folks. I bought a Square Deal B a couple of years ago and have been reloading 38 special. I'm wanting to start reloading 44 magnum. Does anyone here reload this caliber? I've heard that it's a pretty tough job for this reloader. How does it work for 44 mag? I'd like to get some input before I spend another 100 bucks on the conversion kit if it's too much for it.
Thanks!!
Hi folks. I bought a Square Deal B a couple of years ago and have been reloading 38 special. I'm wanting to start reloading 44 magnum. Does anyone here reload this caliber? I've heard that it's a pretty tough job for this reloader. How does it work for 44 mag? I'd like to get some input before I spend another 100 bucks on the conversion kit if it's too much for it.
Thanks!!
Quote from Reloader on September 14, 2012, 6:13 pmThe SDB works fine for 44 Magnum. The case has a lot more surface area, so we do recommend lightly lubing the brass just to make it easier to cycle the handle. The size die is carbide, so you won't stick a case in the die without lube, the lube reduces the effort necessary to size a case. With some losw burning powders like 2400, W-296, H-110, and AA9, you will need the large powder bar. Most of these powders will require a magnum primer for consistant ignition. Faster burning powders only need a standard large pistol primer. Everything else is identical to loading 38s.
The SDB works fine for 44 Magnum. The case has a lot more surface area, so we do recommend lightly lubing the brass just to make it easier to cycle the handle. The size die is carbide, so you won't stick a case in the die without lube, the lube reduces the effort necessary to size a case. With some losw burning powders like 2400, W-296, H-110, and AA9, you will need the large powder bar. Most of these powders will require a magnum primer for consistant ignition. Faster burning powders only need a standard large pistol primer. Everything else is identical to loading 38s.
Quote from Reloader on November 4, 2012, 1:01 pmI've been loading 44 mag on my SDB for several years; no problems. As already stated it is easier if you lightly lube the cases. My normal hunting loads are 11 grans of unique under a 240gr. hornady xtp bullet. When I want the "dragon killers'; I switch out the powder bar and load 23.5 gr. of H110 under the same bullet. It makes great ammo.
I've been loading 44 mag on my SDB for several years; no problems. As already stated it is easier if you lightly lube the cases. My normal hunting loads are 11 grans of unique under a 240gr. hornady xtp bullet. When I want the "dragon killers'; I switch out the powder bar and load 23.5 gr. of H110 under the same bullet. It makes great ammo.