Just started to load .444. Using RCBS dies. I need quite a bit of force, on lubed cases, during resizing, but the brass looks fine afterwards. Then, during expanding, I am getting a little bulge in the case wall about 5/8" from mouth, just like the lead ball on the expander die is too big. But the bullet will only go maybe 1/16" into the case, that's OK though. It seems to me that the die is resizing a little small. Is it OK to partially resize .444 cases if they will only be used in the same gun? These will be used in my son's Marlin guide gun.

      Dear George,
  The bulge on the case is fine. As to resizing cases, stick to full length resizing for straight walled cases.


                                                                Have a good day,
                                                                    Walt

I haven't encountered diffucult sizing with the .444.   What you describe is very normal, except for the stiffness in sizing the brass.

What are you using for case lube?  I use Hornady One Shot and have no problems.

God Bless,

Marshall

       Dear George,
         I've noticed that nickel plated brass is harder to resize than regular brass. Hope this helps.

                                                             Walt
                                                           

Thanks for the kind replies! I am using Hoppe's spray resize lube. I put it on, size and deprime, then wash it off with hot detergent water. I definately notice more force being needed with the .444 than my usual 45/70 cases. Also, I never noticed the small bulge with the 45/70 cases. This factory ammo .444 brass is being reloaded for the first time, and is not nickle plated. Sounds like I don't have a real problem. Haven't fired any of them yet due to the weather in PA, but got a beta chrony for Christmas, so it won't be long before I get out there.

Thanks again, George

George,

What part of Pennsylvania are you in? I'm in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh.

Hi Bill, I live pretty far away, near Reading. I shoot (and reload) mostly .223 and 45/70. Just starting on .444. Also just starting to investigate cast bullets.

George

George,

I know the Reading area relatively well. My brother and I
have passed through on the way back home from the Indy Car race in Nazareth. Reading has the factory outlet complex in an old steel mill or some such, right?

I too cut my bigbore teeth on the .45-70, a Marlin 1895S. That's been gone for a few years and until I picked up my Outfitter I had nothing larger than an '06.
I'm glad to have it now. I think it will do a great job for you with Marshall's cast bullets.