.44 Spcl on Dillon SDB

[ilmonster]

I switched over from my old .44 Special load of a 200 gr. RNFP to a 240 LSWC. In adjusting the seating die to get a COL of 1.45" as proscribed in the Hodgdon manual. I have turned the seating die all the way down (station 3) and can only get the COL to 1.487".

Two questions, firstly, is there a reason I can't get the seating die adjusted so I can get a 1.45" COL on a .44 Spcl cartridge (seating die really meant for the .44. Mag?). Secondly, if I shoot a 1.487" length cartridge in my Super Blackhawk, should it perform ok? I assume I'll drop a bit of velocity. As an aside, I am loading 5.0 grains of HP-38 toward the top of the .44 Spcl. range. Cheers!

 

[cfullgraf]

Dillon makes two seater stems for the 44 Mag/Special. One is for round nose and the other is for SWC. They do not seem to make separate seater stems for the two cartridges.

If you are using the round nose seater stem with SWC bullets, it may not be able to seat the bullet deep enough.

I load 45 ACP and 9x19 on SDB's so it is capable of loading short cartridges with the appropriate pieces.

You might give Dillon a call and ask them.

 

[ilmonster]

In switching over to the LSWC bullets, I did change the seating stem from the round nose to the SWC seating stem. Maybe a call to our friends at Dillon might be in order as you suggest.

 

[25-5]

I seat and crimp to the cannelure no matter the suggested COL. I only use mag brass for special or mag, which affects the result of course.

 

[ilmonster]

Called Dillon, and they said the seating stem should screw down to get my COL. It's as far down as it can go - oh well. As my crimped shell is crimped at the top groove/cannelure, I'll take them to the range this weekend and see how they shoot. If they group reasonably, I'll call it a day and load up some more. Thanks!