Why do my .44 Special cases weigh more than my .44 Mags?

[David LaPell]

As a safety precaution when I reload, I weigh every component before and after in case I missed a double or overloaded case. I noticed this morning that my Speer .44 special cases weigh slightly more than my Remington .44 Mag cases when empty. Is it because the speers are nickel and the Remington are just brass?

 

[David LaPell]

As a safety precaution when I reload, I weigh every component before and after in case I missed a double or overloaded case. I noticed this morning that my Speer .44 special cases weigh slightly more than my Remington .44 Mag cases when empty. Is it because the speers are nickel and the Remington are just brass?

 

[WR Moore]

There could be many explanations. The different brands may have different specs that could account for the weight difference and they'll still be within SAAMI design tolerances. Differences in the forming dies, brass alloy and other manufacturing processes can also affect the case weight.

I doubt the nickle weighs enough to be noticable, but it might.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

That is a very interesting observation! I've never noticed it for that pairing. You will see lots of variation among manufacturers of the same chambering, so much so that if you think you have inconsistent short or heavy loads it may be impossible to determine which is which by merely weighing them. This is especially so if the charge weight is <5 or 6 grains, as I've found out on a few occasions

.

My guess would be the thickness or difference in internal dimensions, particularly in the web area. While nickel is a fairly dense metal, the thin plating would not contribute that much mass. I notice that Starline generally runs heavy with their brass, as does Top Brass and Speer.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

My guess would be the thickness or difference in internal dimensions, particularly in the web area. While nickel is a fairly dense metal, the thin plating would not contribute that much mass. I notice that Starline generally runs heavy with their brass, as does Top Brass and Speer.

+1
If you cross section them lengthwise, you'll see the web and sidewall just above the web is generally thicker by a noticable degree.

 

[Alk8944]

Originally posted by David LaPell:
As a safety precaution when I reload, I weigh every component before and after in case I missed a double or overloaded case. I noticed this morning that my Speer .44 special cases weigh slightly more than my Remington .44 Mag cases when empty. Is it because the speers are nickel and the Remington are just brass?

Like WR Moore said, because they are different manufacturers. Try again with both being the same brand and I will bet you find the .44 Spl is lighter than .44 Magnum because with most manufacturers they are from the same basic draw, just different trim length and headstamps.

 

[john traveler]

Speer used to have their cases made by DWM in Germany. Case wall thickness seems considerably thicker than brass from WW, Remington, or Federal.

 

[okie john]

I'd bet on the wall and web thicknesses being greater. I've seen this in 35 Whelen brass. In theory, it should weigh the same as 30/06 brass, but Remington 35 Whelen brass is substantially heavier than their 06 brass. It could be that manufacturers may use extra-thick (and therefore heavier) brass for ammo that could end up in a very old gun as an extra margin of safety.

Okie John