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44 special in Magnum cases

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:57 pm
by Hakaman
I want to load some 44 special rounds in Magnum cases for target shooting purposes. I just want to know if this is an okay thing to do and where I might find some load data for this situation. I am thinking it's easier to have one piece of brass to fit in my 44 Magnum instead of two pieces, one for special and one for Magnum. Anybody care to share some information, and even some load data?

Re: 44 special in Magnum cases

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 2:16 pm
by ruger22
I don't reload, but I know people who make .38 Special loads in .357 Magnum cases. That closes the gap in longer magnum cylinders, supposedly giving better accuracy, and stops the ring of crud in the front of the chambers. Seems like you're in exactly the same situation, loading Magnum brass with Special loads.

Re: 44 special in Magnum cases

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 8:14 pm
by Hakaman
Well I got all my reloading components together and loaded up some 44 special in the 44 magnum cases and work perfectly. I used Winchester 231 powder and increase the minimum load from the special load data by 15% which is the amount of area increase in a 44magnum shell over the 44special shell. I loaded five different levels from minimum upwards by two tenths of a grain each, and they all shot excellent. The reason I chose the magnum shell is twofold, so I don't have to mix up special shells with Magnum shells, and also the special shell dirties up the cylinder a little bit by its lack of length.

Re: 44 special in Magnum cases

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 8:44 am
by blue68f100
Yes you can. I do it all the time with 357mag/38spl. Normally you take the SPL load, and add 0.1- 0.2 gr more of powder to make up for the larger case. If you have a crony you want to keep them above 700 fps and you will just fine.