Talk to me about reloading .44

[Ribwizzard]

Any and all constructive comments welcome.
I have never been all that interested in reloading, but recently started shooting .44 magnum. And I'm interested in shooting .44 special for plinking, but, no one has them at a reasonable price around me, nor have I been able to find much online.
So, I have been saving my brass( usually shoot American Eagle) and would like some info.

First of all, I live in a townhouse at this point in my life,and dont have the room to set up a permanent reloading bench. It would have to be tools kept stored away, and just brought out and set up when I want to reload, so is this doable?

2nd, my expectations would be I'd want to reload about 100 rnds and not have more than a couple hours invested, is this doable?

3rd, is my American Eagle .44 magnum brass good for reloading?

4th, is this cost effective? How much do you think I would have in each round, not including the brass I am already collecting?

And 5th, if all above is good and I decide to invest, what kind of set up/ what brand should I be looking at? With the above items considered?

Thanks

 

[dr. mordo]

First: 44 SPL at good prices. I've shot this and it's good ammo.

44 SPECIAL : Precision ONe Ammunition, Dont Shoot Twice Shoot Precision ONe

Now your questions:

1. Yes, people have come up with portable setups. Google it. It can make a mess, so my preference would not be reloading inside my house, especially on carpet.

2 and 5: Lee Turret Press with Lee dies and a Lee Auto Drum powder drop will do everything you need and for a fair price. Lee stuff is inexpensive and sometimes seems cheaply made, but I've found it to work well and it compares favorably with more expensive reloading gear.

3. I think so. I've reloaded some of it with no issues.

4. This question is more complicated. If you are going to shoot 100 rounds every two months, it will take a long time to be worth the investment to reload. If you shoot 100 rounds a week, I'd imagine you'll break even in a couple of months. I built a excel spreadsheet exploring this before I bought my press, and, it's been a while, but as I recall I figured it would be 7-8 months of shooting ~500 rounds a month before I broke even.

Reloading is really a hobby unto itself, so if you aren't ready for another hobby I'd just pay for ammo.

 

[muddocktor]

1. Yes, you should be able to find something you can use as a reloading table that you can put away. I'm sure some of the members here can give you some links or pointers on what would make a portable reloading bench.

2. That is also a yes, especially if you process your brass ahead of time and have it clean, sized and deprimed. That way when you get a chance to load you can go right into priming and loading your ammo.

3. Yes, that is Federal brass I believe and it is boxer primed and decent brass.

4. The cost involved can vary quite a bit, depending on what powder and bullet you want to shoot. Primers will be 3.5-5 cents a round, depending where you buy them and in what quantity. Bullets are another variable. Coated 240 grain SWC bullets are roughly 11-12 cents per round. Zero brand jacketed 240 grain SP cost a little less than 14 cents/round. For 44 Special class loads you will probably use a faster powder that takes less powder, say 7-10 grains per round. So that is 700-1000 rounds per pound of powder.

5. That one depends on what kind of reloading press or kit you want and if you want to go new or shop the used market. Figure $300 as a round number for equipment investment. It only hurts once.

 

[RMFnLA]

If all you want is cheaper ammo look for reloaders in your area.

Should be plenty in Central or South Florida.

 

[6string]

I started reloading decades ago for my S&W 29. The day I got it, I bought a Lee Loader, a Lee Autoprime tool, and a set of the Lee Powder Dipper Measures. This was in addition to the usual supplies such as powder, primers, locally cast bullets, etc.
Oh yeah, I also got a couple loading trays, each capable of holding 50 pcs. of brass.
I followed the instructions included, processing all my brass for each step. One exception: The Autoprime is a better way to do the priming step.
If I stayed on task, I could load 50 rounds in one hour. This included a couple extra steps like cleaning the primer pockets and checking case length.
I also found the 1.0 cc powder dipper dropped the perfect charge of Unique for use with a 250 gr. cast SWC in a Magnum case.

Even today, you can get a set up like this for under $100.
The whole thing can be packed up in a shoebox. You can even take it to the range!

By the way, the accuracy of my very first reloads was so good, I was hooked!

Enjoy,
Jim

 

[Old&Retired]

First: 44 SPL at good prices. I've shot this and it's good ammo.

44 SPECIAL : Precision ONe Ammunition, Dont Shoot Twice Shoot Precision ONe

Now your questions:

1. Yes, people have come up with portable setups. Google it. It can make a mess, so my preference would not be reloading inside my house, especially on carpet.

2 and 5: Lee Turret Press with Lee dies and a Lee Auto Drum powder drop will do everything you need and for a fair price. Lee stuff is inexpensive and sometimes seems cheaply made, but I've found it to work well and it compares favorably with more expensive reloading gear.

3. I think so. I've reloaded some of it with no issues.

4. This question is more complicated. If you are going to shoot 100 rounds every two months, it will take a long time to be worth the investment to reload. If you shoot 100 rounds a week, I'd imagine you'll break even in a couple of months. I built a excel spreadsheet exploring this before I bought my press, and, it's been a while, but as I recall I figured it would be 7-8 months of shooting ~500 rounds a month before I broke even.

Reloading is really a hobby unto itself, so if you aren't ready for another hobby I'd just pay for ammo.

Agree wholeheartedly with the use of Lee equipment. I've been reloading since the mid 80s and have always used Lee presses and dies.

Lee also makes a handy stand which will tuck away in a corner of a closet when you're not using it.

Also, the .44 Mag dies will also load .44 Special. You'll just have to adjust the bullet seat/crimp die.

Good luck!

 

[Ribwizzard]

Great answers and input! Thanks.
As far as cost is concerned, I realize the cost of reloading equipment would take a while to pay for itself, so I wasnt considering it into the cost of producing ammo.
So, I am ready to move forward. And have more questions.
What do I really need to prep the brass? Does it really have to be all that clean? I've heard of people just washing in detergent and drying in the oven. Your thoughts?
And above, it was mentioned to make a mess, what's the messy part?

 

[Old&Retired]

Great answers and input! Thanks.
As far as cost is concerned, I realize the cost of reloading equipment would take a while to pay for itself, so I wasnt considering it into the cost of producing ammo.
So, I am ready to move forward. And have more questions.
What do I really need to prep the brass?
Does it really have to be all that clean? Not really
I've heard of people just washing in detergent and drying in the oven. Your thoughts? That works for many a reloader.
And above, it was mentioned to make a mess, what's the messy part? Don't reload over carpet! You will spill powder and go hunting for primers.

I use a universal depriming die from Lee then tumble my brass for an hour or two in a Lyman Vibratory Tumbler to clean them up. Just to get the worst crud off. I used to size and reprime on the press in batches of 50. Keep in mind this was with a single stage press which would seem to fill all your needs.

 

[Ribwizzard]

I do thank you all and will resurrect this thread once I have purchased all my equipment.
So I need:
Press
.44 does
Primer tool
Powder measure device
Couple trays to hold shells

What else ( as far as tooling)

 

[bigggbbruce]

Bullet puller, scale

 

[shocker]

I don't tumble brass because of the hazard of airborne lead dust. Well ventilated area like outdoors it's OK but I would never do it inside a living area.
I use an ultrasonic bath, TSP, water. Works well enough, brass doesn't have to shine like jewelry.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

1. Yes, the Lee hand press is a great option.
Reloading Ammunition with Only Hand Loaders

2. yes, the more experienced you get the faster it will go. But don't go too fast and get sloppy.

3. yes

4. You can recoup your startup costs way faster with a cartridge like 44 SPL that is expensive for factory ammo

5. Lee hand press, dies, scale, bullet puller, loading trays

Any and all constructive comments welcome.
I have never been all that interested in reloading, but recently started shooting .44 magnum. And I'm interested in shooting .44 special for plinking, but, no one has them at a reasonable price around me, nor have I been able to find much online.
So, I have been saving my brass( usually shoot American Eagle) and would like some info.

First of all, I live in a townhouse at this point in my life,and dont have the room to set up a permanent reloading bench. It would have to be tools kept stored away, and just brought out and set up when I want to reload, so is this doable?

2nd, my expectations would be I'd want to reload about 100 rnds and not have more than a couple hours invested, is this doable?

3rd, is my American Eagle .44 magnum brass good for reloading?

4th, is this cost effective? How much do you think I would have in each round, not including the brass I am already collecting?

And 5th, if all above is good and I decide to invest, what kind of set up/ what brand should I be looking at? With the above items considered?

Thanks

 

[lrrifleman]

@OP,

You have a lot of good advice here. Personally, I am not a fan of Lee products as a whole, so I will suggest a slightly different approach.

Many years ago, I was in a similar situation, so I can empathize. As a renter or living in an apartment, you have to be creative. When I was reloading multiple calibers in (to me) high volume, I made a small base which I would clamp to a coffee table. I then upgraded to a Dillon Square Deal B for handgun ammo and continued with my RCBS for rifle ammo. But if you are loading just one or two cartridges, I would take a different approach.

You can do this set up for well under $200, and your equipment WILL appreciate! This would be a set up for just 44 Special/Magnum.

Small Lyman 310 handles ($40 or so on eBay)
Lyman 310 dies for 44 Magnum ($70-80 on eBay)
Set of Lee powder scoops ($16 on Amazon)
Frankford Arsenal digital scale ($22 on Amazon)
Vibratory tumbler ($30 at Harbor Freight)
Reloading tray
Spray case lube
Rice (as tumbling media)

This method is effective for small scale production. Anticipate that you can do about a round a minute. I would tumble, deprime, lube and size, re-tumble, prime, charge, then seat the bullet. Honestly,it is reloading in a nutshell! I am seeing 44 Specials selling for about $43 a box. For the price of 5 boxes, you have a an effective reloading set up which can be run at the kitchen table without damage.

Cost per round:
Powder ($28/# Unique) - about $0.04 per cartridge
Primer - about $0.03 per cartridge
Bullet - cast 240 +/- gr about $0.10-0.14 per cartridge.
Figure a cost of $0.21 per cartridge at the high end, or $10.50 per 50 round box. You could get 4 times the shooting for the price of one box of factory ammo. Theoretically, with the exception of the tumbler, your entire reloading operation would fit in a shoe box with room to spare!

 

[Road_Clam]

Any and all constructive comments welcome.
I have never been all that interested in reloading, but recently started shooting .44 magnum. And I'm interested in shooting .44 special for plinking, but, no one has them at a reasonable price around me, nor have I been able to find much online.
So, I have been saving my brass( usually shoot American Eagle) and would like some info.

First of all, I live in a townhouse at this point in my life,and dont have the room to set up a permanent reloading bench. It would have to be tools kept stored away, and just brought out and set up when I want to reload, so is this doable?

2nd, my expectations would be I'd want to reload about 100 rnds and not have more than a couple hours invested, is this doable?

3rd, is my American Eagle .44 magnum brass good for reloading?

4th, is this cost effective? How much do you think I would have in each round, not including the brass I am already collecting?

And 5th, if all above is good and I decide to invest, what kind of set up/ what brand should I be looking at? With the above items considered?

Thanks

You will never be able to shoot enough ammo in your lifetime to ever recoup your investment from handloading. You don't "save money" by handloading as you will not have a true CPR because your brass is an ever changing variable cost that's impossible to calculate. What handloadinf does offer is an excellent skillset, the best precision for your specific firearm and shooting independence. If and when the 2A political climate goes bad like it did back in 2013 you will not be sidelined by empty LGS ammo shelves. I take great pleasure in handloading and the investment i've made (and it's a staggering amount) is irrelevant. I not only handload for 14 different calibers, I also learned a few years ago to cast my own projectiles. If we go full stupid panic, it's no worries for me. I find my evenings handloading is nice therapy. Not much else for me to do during the long boring cold NH winters ! Invest in handloading, you will be glad you did when you understand all the indirect benifits.

 

[reddog81]

I do thank you all and will resurrect this thread once I have purchased all my equipment.
So I need:
Press
.44 does
Primer tool
Powder measure device
Couple trays to hold shells

What else ( as far as tooling)

I'd get one of the common reloading manuals first. It'll explain all the necessary equipment and how it's used along with the necessary reloading data.

I've reloaded 10,000+ rounds and just using hot soapy water and let the brass dry on a towel in my basement.

.44 Mag and Special are very versatile rounds and reloading allows you to tailor your loads and for less money than factory rounds.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I first started reloading with the LEE Hand Loader Kits . It can be held in your hand and the only thing else you need is a soft faced mallet , a set of scoops and components . It all can be stored away when not using . I started with 38special , then 44 mag and next 45 Colt . I highly recommend them to start with . You can load 44 magnum brass lighter like 44 special and enjoy your target shooting . Those Hand Loader Kits are great starter kits , make reloading easy and come with great instructions . Good luck , Have fun Paul

 

[Squarebutt]

A Black & Decker Workmate makes a good bench, and it folds up and hides in a closet when not in use. I'd recommend a good single-stage press from RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, etc. to start out, rather than the small hand-squeezed or hammered units. You can really save money on .44 Special and Magnum ammo compared to store prices once you get a supply of brass. Your AE brass should be fine.

 

[RobertJ.]

Since no one else did, I will post a link to what could be the very best post on reloading that I've ever seen:So you're thinking about getting into reloading...

Lots of good info here!

 

[Peak53]

I wouldn't load a single round without a balance scale backup such as RCBS 505 or similar. The Lee scale works, but clumsy and slow. Powder densities vary from batch to batch so it is best to load by weight, not volume. Or, at least to confirm your measures with a scale. You can use the measures after calibration if you must. I disagree with one of the above statements that you can never recoup the cost of the equipment. I have done so several times over in only about 10 years. Plus, you get to shoot more!

 

[Ribwizzard]

I'm caught up in the world of comparing makes and models right now. Dillion 550 looks kind of cool