.44 Special

[dynamike]

Just getting started loading .44 spec. Got my dies a few days ago, but haven't had time to read up on it. While at the range today, I found an old, dusty 250 box of Hornaday cast bullets. The price was really cheap so I bought them. After getting home and reading my Speer book, I see that bullet specs .429-.430 dia. The box I bought says .427 dia. Did I screw up? Are these for another cartridge...maybe 44-40, 44 Russian or something?

 

[dynamike]

Just getting started loading .44 spec. Got my dies a few days ago, but haven't had time to read up on it. While at the range today, I found an old, dusty 250 box of Hornaday cast bullets. The price was really cheap so I bought them. After getting home and reading my Speer book, I see that bullet specs .429-.430 dia. The box I bought says .427 dia. Did I screw up? Are these for another cartridge...maybe 44-40, 44 Russian or something?

 

[VAdoublegunner]

.427 is generally for 44-40 (44WCF). But they may work. What do you have to lose by trying a few. They are probably swaged Hornady bullets and are very soft so should slug up if you load them to higher pressures.

 

[dynamike]

Thanks doublegunner. They are 205 gr. I couldn't find that exact weight in my manual. Should be ok with 200 gr. data. Do you think I should start low, high, or in the middle as far as charge weight> Probably use some W231...but I also have some Power Pistol. Oh, here's the exact bullet https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=ea92daed4e143b...57195469a703aa662a9d

 

[Calaveras Slim]

It is seldomn that a cast bullet wilkl bump up 3 or 4 points. That is for a 44-40. 44 Russion and 44 Colt are the same as a 44 special

 

[Rancher]

If your gun is an old Colt with .427 groove diameter, you are in luck. If it is a Ruger, S&W, or other gun with .429 grooves and .429 or .430 throats, not so good. Not unsafe, but most likely very inaccurate with any powder charge and will lead severely.

 

[Spotteddog]

They're typically for .44/40's.
But as above, some guns, from some makers, at some times can run pretty tight. I've not found them to be S&W's and Rugers, but stranger things have happened! If the gun doesn't like them, expect to see evidence of tumbling. I'd load as few as possible till you establish whether your gun will shoot them though.

 

[dynamike]

Thanks guys. Gun is a Ruger Redhawk. Guess I may load a few and try them or try to sell them to someone who can has a .44-40. I was thinking that they might just be inaccurate b/c they wouldn't grab the rifling.

 

[BUFF]

After you have loaded the FIRST cartridge using those bullets, and it is crimped, try to see if you can rotate the bullet inside the case, or if pushing it down hard, bullet first, onto a hard surface, with just your hands, will push the bullet deeper into the case. Your combination of brass, bullet diameter, resizing die and expander ball/mouth belling/whatever it is called die diameters may not hold the smaller bullet tight enough.

Then, when you go to shoot them, check the unfired cartridges in the gun after you fire each shot for the first gun-full or so. Sometimes if the bullets aren't held securely in the case, recoil lets the bullets work their way forward from their original seated depth. If they get out far enough, they can tie up the cylinder from rotating.

 

[Spotteddog]

As Buff said!
I recall a mishap during reloading nesting .427" on top of sized, primed and powdered .44 Magnum brass. While I watched, the .427" SWC's lowered themselves pneumatically into the .429" I.D'd brass, coming to rest atop the powder. Had I continued, my nick name would have been "lefty" after the next range trip...

 

[dynamike]

Thanks fir the heads-up spotteddog...I don't want that to happen!!!!! I'll try and sell them, I reckon

 

[alde]

If you do any bullet casting you can just melt them down.

 

[dynamike]

Lucky for me the range I bought them let me exchange them for some .223 I needed anyways. It pays to be a regular! Nice guys there!