Ok this is probably a dumb question but what I'm trying to determine is can you down load the 44 mag to 44 Special performance? Reason I,m asking is I'd rather have 1 set of dies, brass etc to load both. Appreciate the patience and assistance!:o

Yes you can. and you have my permission to do so for what it's worth. lol!

Simple, just load your favorite 44 special load in the 44mag cases. If your powder is position sensitive, use a small piece of polyester batting filler to hold it, then top it with your favorite boo-lit.

You certainly can download your .44 mag without a problem. Just load it from the lower end of the spectrum.

Do NOT download a slow powder like 296 or H110. Use only listed light .44 mag loads with faster powders.

Great! As always I get the info I need here! Once again, I apologize for what appears to be dumb questions or questions that have been answered already. One thing is for sure being the gentlemen you are, not only with me, but historically speaking throughout this forum, questions are answered directly and kindly. Thanks again for the info and patience. I've been shooting for over 45 years but I depend on my fellow sportsmen and women for information to enhance my knowledge. Keep your primers hot and powder dry....:D

The only dumb question is the one never asked.

But yes, you can down load

Progun I spent lots of years with both the 44 mag and 41 mag and I just use 44 special data for the 44 in 44 mag cases. I also download the 41 to comfortable plinking levels. Lots of fun and saves on both powder and my wrists. Like BFR shooter says don't lower powder levels on 296 or H110.

I like the new Little gun powder for light loads.

My "44 speacial" load in my RH 44 mag is 5.5 grains of Bullseye and a 429421 bullet. Accurate beyond my capabilities to hold it steady. Runs about 850 fps.

RJ

You will lose some velocity with standard 44 special loads in the larger 44 mag case. Might effect accuracy. Most manuals give light loads for the 44 mag. With a 240/250 gr cast bullet, 8.0 grains of Unique is the classic practice load.

You will lose some velocity with standard 44 special loads in the larger 44 mag case. Might effect accuracy. Most manuals give light loads for the 44 mag. With a 240/250 gr cast bullet, 8.0 grains of Unique is the classic practice load.
Very close to what I use for my 200 gr laser cast 9.0 unique in magnum cases and 8 in magnum cases I have trimmed back to spl length. You might want to try Trail Boss powder it fills the cases up the grains look like small cheerios. I have two cans over at my dads house that we were going to use for his 38's but his heart surgery got in the way, so I cannot give a good review on this powder yet.

By the way, if your dies are less than about 20 years old, your seat/crimp die is actually machined for Special-length cases. So you can also load the right cases for the Specail load if you choose to.

In the old days, they made separate die sets for Magnum and Special cases (in 38/357 as well as 44). The only difference was the depth of the crimp shoulder in the seater; the sizers were identical. Then somebody realized that the Special seater would work perfectly with Magnum cases simply by backing the die out to compensate for the longer cases. Some companies even included a machined spacer so the reloader wouldn't even have to re-adjust the die! If you have what looks like a thick washer in your die box and have always wondered what it was for, that's it!

Spacers make it easy. I have made them for everything. Even neck sizing, then remove the spacer for full length. .475 to .480. .357 to .38 and so on.

Just don't load .44 Mag loads in Special cases, the #1 reason is because somebody might put them in a .44 Special revolver and blow it up, and .44 Special brass is a bit thinner and not designed to take Mag pressures. Its best to just use Mag cases for all your .44 work.

I like 9.0 grains of Titegroup under a 200 grain JHP for about 1050 FPS from my 4" Taurus.

perhaps this article will help some...
although, it's more about the upper end of 44 mag.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/45

Once again, I apologize for what appears to be dumb questions or questions that have been answered already. :D


I had a college prof tell my class one day that there is no such thing as a dumb question if you don't know the answer.:D

My favorite reduced .44 Magnum load is 8 grains of WW231 with a 240 gr. SWC cast bullet. Around 950 - 980 fps, and very accurate.

8.8 grns of unique with any cast or jacket bullets in the 200 -240 gr class will be an accurate midrange load on any game, just make sure you fill the case with dacron filler to take up the extra space in the case, this load will not expand with cast bullets but it sure will penetrate critters well. question has anyone on the forum used and loaded their 44 specials or magnums using hornady's swaged lead bullets that they mfg in the 240 grns weight i like to hear your results using this bullet ?

I use the Speer swaged 240 SWC for all my 44 Special reloading. They must be held to 900 fps or under (and more under is more better!) due to their dead-soft temper and sparcity of lube, but are very accurate and expand very well indeed.

For my featherweight Charter Bulldog, I load them to match the impact point of my carry load: WW Silvertips. That has the Speers doing about 750 fps. That just about matches the speed and bullet weight of most 45 ACP loadings, and the results match also.

The only dumb question is the one never asked.

But yes, you can down load



I have to disagree. This isn't one, but I have seen some dumb questions on internet sites.