Talk to me about reloading .44

[MichiganScott]

While I was in college, I c-clamped my RockChucker and powder measure to a coffee table in my apartment. Everything was kept in a tool chest off to the side when not in use. I shot about a box of pistol ammo weekly to relieve the stress.

 

[DWalt]

I have a set of the Lee powder scoops I use occasionally. I have found scooped charge weights are often a little lighter than what the Lee chart shows. If one wants to load up only a small number of rounds, say 20 or fewer, using the scoops is more convenient than getting out the scale and setting up the powder measure.

 

[Capt. F.]

The first apartment my wife and I had was about the size of the living in our house we now own. Space was at a premium to say the least.
To be able to reload and keep peace in our tiny apartment I got a three foot section of three inch pipe, had it threaded on both ends, then attached flanges on those ends.
I built a one foot by one foot plywood pad and mounted one of the flanges to the plywood. On the other end I mounted my Pacific C press to the other flange. Made a good rugged set up even when full length resizing straight wall casings.
The whole thing with the press attached fit into our broom closet for storage when not being used.

 

[SLT223]

Mount the press to bench grinder stand. Harbor freight has a few different ones for less than $40.

Universal Bench Grinder Stand

 

[Ribwizzard]

I've got a gun table

Thanks for the ideals for reloading bench, but I made this bar height table out of butchers block for my gun craft table. Top is 50" x36", hopefully I wont have to drill holes. I mounted a vise to a piece of wood that I then clamp to the table and it is very sturdy.

 

[S&WNUT]

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

Dillon 100% buy once cry once! The 650 is a real joy. I had lee equipment for many years and learned a lot and one thing was it was not fun keeping it running. My Dillon runs like a fine tuned machine. I have been reloading 40 years. All my big guns are loaded on a single stage RCBS with Redding dies.

 

[eb07]

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

On a single stage I can do 100 an hour easy.

Forget trimming brass buy brand new brass from star line

For single stage I like and reccomend the rcbs Rock chucker kit with Lee pour through dies Dillons are great but I prefer to be intimate with my handloads.

Cost is a lot cheaper than factory. Enjoy the hobby and don't sweat the small stuff. Can't take it with you.

Here is great 44 info a treasure trove:


Index of /44_Special_Articles



Have fun!!

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I, too, disagree with the concept that "you can never re-coup your reloading investment..." You do need to shoot a lot to do so, but it can be done. And THAT'S the fun part!

Now, in my case it is going to take a while as I almost now have accumulated a reasonable lifetime's worth of everything I'll probably need, from powder to bullets. A true "lifetime supply" of primers is probably something one can reasonably procrastinate away, but they truly are the only thing one can't easily acquire (well, besides powder) or somehow fabricate.

Can't believe I waited until my 60's to get involved in this hobby, but I'm surely glad I finally did!

Cheers!

 

[TMan51]

Recovering the cost shouldn't be difficult with the lower cost Lee Reloader press and accessories. Using .44 Special or slightly higher level load data with powder scoops is quite safe. Brass with those loads will last a long time.

Reloading these days really isn't a matter of cost. Any day, the Democrats may/will declare a war on ammo, some, any, all, and your firearm will become a paperweight, or just too expensive to shoot. How much is that worth?