44 mag vs 44 spl classic lee loaders

[Jamesmb]

Hi

I just got a 44 mag S&W yesterday and am looking to buy a little lee classic loader to reload some bullets in hopes of saving some money. On the Lee website the 44 mag and the 44 spl kits look identical except for the measure cup and I assume charge tables, just wondering if any other differences between them. I have never shot a 44 Special round, are they shorter then mag? Similar to a 38 spl and 357 mag comparison

 

[actionflies]

44mag case is longer than 44spl case and both have the same diameter. Dies are the same too. You can use 44spl load data for 44mag load but very dangerous if you you use 44mag load data for 44spl (Kaboom!). Just stick with 44mag and load at minimum charge from any reloading books. I load 357mag and 38spl and I mark my 38spl brass with a marker so I don't accidentally use it for 357mag.

 

[Jamesmb]

Hi actionfiles and thanks for the reply. I just sold my 357 but still have some Accurate Arms # 9 whcih I see is good for 44 mags also. What brand of powder are you using for 44 Specials? Somebody on here had some 44 Spl brass for sale, might try to get some.

 

[Quoheleth]

James,

Can't help you on the powder choices for .44s, but YES you can use the same Lee Classic loader for the Special and Magnums. I do it with my .38 and .357. I emailed Lee and asked. All hard parts are identical except for the dipper and load chart.

If you want one, Wideners is the least expensive place to buy it - I got mine for about $12, I think. I just checked: http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?startrow=13&dir=210|212|386 and they show two .44 Specials left. $12.80.

Instead of buying someone else's brass, IMHO, you're just as well off buying a box of factory-fresh loads, even if they are expensive. THis way you have a reference load to "feel" and measure. And, you know exactly what they have been through - not range brass, fired a bunch, or otherwise mistreated.

Q

 

[Sunray]

"...except for the measure cup..." Pitch the scoops and use a scale. The scoops can vary the charge plus or minus a full grain.
"...Similar to a 38 spl and 357 mag comparison..." Yep, but you'd be better off using .44 mag cases loaded to Special velocities though. .44 Special brass is expensive and not easy to find. Eliminates the lube gunk build up in the cylinders caused from shooting cast bullets out of the shorter case too.
Using a different bullet style or a different brand of brass for each will keep 'em separate. Not a big deal when shooting Special loads out of a magnum revolver though. It's really exciting to fire a hotter load when you don't expect it. Not at all dangerous or unsafe though.
IMR4227 is a good powder for both with a 240 grain bullet. Reloading won't likely save you much money(you'll tend to shoot more), but you'll be using ammo tailored to for your revolver.
You may want to look into the Lyman Pistol and Revolver manual as well. Their regular manual will do nicely too. Either way you'll need a manual.

 

[Jamesmb]

I just mentioned the cups as that was the only difference I could find in the Lee Kits for them. I bought and use now a Franklin Arsenal scale that I have been weighing my 357 loads on, much better then scoops, though I used them to pour the powder into the scale scoop/funnel.

I just got a 629 mountain gun yesterday and paid little over $30 for Winchester JSP 240 grain 44 mag loads at Walmart here. I doubt I will find anything for less. I did bring the cost of 357s down some when I started reloading though.

Yeah I also saw that price on Wideners and saw they were out of the 44 mag kits but had some 44 Spl kits left which is nice to know they have the same parts.