Smokeless conversion loads .44 S&W R, Handloader Magazine #172

[model3sw]

I posted this title under Antique Revolvers.

See here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-an...-handloader-magazine-172-a.html#post139884518

This article was written by J. Ken Chapman (RIP) for Issue #172 of Handloader Magazine, December 1994

It is with great thanks to Mr. Chapman's son, Ray Chapman, who brought this to my attention, supplying the correct issue of the correct magazine, issue and publish date. Ray had all his dad's drafts and notes but not the published version of the article. We found copies of Handlaoder #172 online. Both Ray and I purchased the only 2 copies we found, for sale, online.

I have scanned the article as a courtesy to anyone who would like to look into this further.

RS "Sal" Raimondi, Sr.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The only problem I've had loading 44 Russian is the brass I bought. I picked up 500 Top Brass virgin cases from Midway, and did a light load (using Hodgdon's Cowboy Reloading Flier from 2006) using HP-38/WW231. The quality of the brass is so bad that 1 in 3 cases split on the first firing. The survivors died (split) at the rate of 1 in 5 or 6, for the second & third loadings.

Other brands of brass have come from buying loaded ammo and at the fifth reloading I haven't lost any of those 250 to splitting.

Years ago (1980's) I found a pre war box of virgin Winchester empty cases. These are the old "Balloon Head" style. I've been saving them for black powder and the 246 gr conical bullet of the original load.

I load will all brands of dies, and for 44 Russian I used Lee and RCBS. I also have a post war Lyman 310 tool and dies marked 44 S&W. It was set up for Russian length cases when I bought it, but can be adjusted to Special length cases. I don't know how well they work with good modern brass, but 38 Special use lots of grip strength!

I love shooting my pair of Ubirti repo S&W No.3 Russian copies. Even with the tiny sights Dad shot a 5 shot group the size of a quarter with his 75 year old eyes. (I shot them closer to a silver dollar size group. I think I inherited mom's eyesight!)

Ivan

 

[Joe4d]

looking at the dimensions, they are the same as 44 magnum and special, seems like u could get good brass from just cutting down special cases.

 

[model3sw]

The only problem I've had loading 44 Russian is the brass I bought. I picked up 500 Top Brass virgin cases from Midway, and did a light load (using Hodgdon's Cowboy Reloading Flier from 2006) using HP-38/WW231. The quality of the brass is so bad that 1 in 3 cases split on the first firing. The survivors died (split) at the rate of 1 in 5 or 6, for the second & third loadings.

Other brands of brass have come from buying loaded ammo and at the fifth reloading I haven't lost any of those 250 to splitting.

Years ago (1980's) I found a pre war box of virgin Winchester empty cases. These are the old "Balloon Head" style. I've been saving them for black powder and the 246 gr conical bullet of the original load.

I load will all brands of dies, and for 44 Russian I used Lee and RCBS. I also have a post war Lyman 310 tool and dies marked 44 S&W. It was set up for Russian length cases when I bought it, but can be adjusted to Special length cases. I don't know how well they work with good modern brass, but 38 Special use lots of grip strength!

I love shooting my pair of Ubirti repo S&W No.3 Russian copies. Even with the tiny sights Dad shot a 5 shot group the size of a quarter with his 75 year old eyes. (I shot them closer to a silver dollar size group. I think I inherited mom's eyesight!)

Ivan

As another member suggests, .44 Magnum cases can be trimmed down to size for the .44 Russian. I use .44 Special Cases which also need to be trimmed down, just not as much as the Magnums.

Even my original .44 Russian cases seem a bit thin so I am not surprised when you state some of the new .44R split when used if they were made to the same specs but usually Midway puts out a good product.

Do your .44 R reloaded rounds fit in the chambers properly ? Not excessively loose ? Are all 6 chamfers in the cylinder clean and visibly pronounced ?

Mic the inside of the bores to make sure cylinder bores are not over-sized or opened a bit wider than should be.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

44 Russian brass is normally very good, most products from Midway are also good. This was a junk product, and I don't think Midway carries anything made by Top Brass, they do carry reconditioned (once fired brass, and maybe formed) brass.

High quality brass can be made from Magnum or Special brass, but it would be foolish! A waste of really good brass, and a waste of time-shortening all those pieces by almost 3/8 inch! Starline is making brass that is superior in every way to the junk I bought. I'm not sure, but I believe they are the producers of brass for the Cowboy ammunition makers we see available today.

Thanks for your concern over the loads I made, but I had a quarter million rounds of experience before I got this junk brass, and probably a hundred thousand rounds since. I've had "bad" brass before, but most manufactures will make it good! Those that don't, get a reputation that puts them out of business!

Ivan