Anyone reloading (happily) for a bottleneck pistol cartridge?

[Jesse Heywood]

More on the 22 TCM.

I bought a Sheridan slotted case gage from www.zepreloading.com. No gages on their site now, so e-mail them. If they are planning another run, they will put you on their list. Mom & pop business that has a good problem, too much business.

I was one of the early reloaders, bought the Hornady dies. No issues with them. At the time, Fred Craig was selling dies. To get things going he was financing the production from Lee & Hornady.

There was a website, now long gone, that had several guys developing loads. H110/W296 was the most popular powder, with Lil Gun a distant 2nd. I tried both, felt Lil Gun was too erratic and violent. I downloaded a spreadsheet when the forum died. PM me your e-mail if you want a copy.

 

[RealGun]

I load 44-40 (44WCF) with some challenges and several lessons learned but enjoy having figured it all out. First, the dies are not carbide like common handgun dies, so lubing the same as necked rifle ammo is required. The brass is thin, so you have to go slow to avoid destroying a case mouth. The cases may need to be trimmed if the gun requires it. The die set has to deal with old 44-40 at .427-8 or new 44-40 at .430, the same bullet and chamber diameter as 44 Special, same weight too. RCBS Cowboy 44-40 dies with a 44 Special expander insert covers the larger size. Some use a taper crimp, but I haven't found the need when using RCBS Cowboy. Those are the main points I can recall.

 

[rbernie]

The 357S I load using Dillon carbide dies without lube. I simply make sure the brass is polished before resizing

I've used both Lee and Hornady dies for the 357 Sig and never lubed a case. <shrug> Seems to work just fine - nary a squeak, over thousands of rounds..

 

[bihj]

I reload for 357SIG and .30 Luger.

Neither are what I'd call a PITA to load for....they're just different.

 

[Walkalong]

I've used both Lee and Hornady dies for the 357 Sig and never lubed a case. <shrug> Seems to work just fine - nary a squeak, over thousands of rounds..

Interesting, tumbling with some polish first?

 

[rbernie]

Actually, no - just a wash in the sink with Simple Green and dishwashing detergent to get them clean. I am such a bad man.

 

[bluetopper]

I reload for both the 6TCU and 7TCU in fourteen inch Contender barrels. In the initial sizing up of the neck of 223 brass I use the full length sizing die. After fireforming from that point on I neck size only, it saves immense headaches of brass sticking in the FL dies and works great. Two very accurate fun cartridges that are easy to load for. I wish I had bolt action rifles in the two calibers.

 

[rfwobbly]

Looking at caliber conversions for my 9mm 1911. 38 Super/SC will be first, But I'm thinking about a bottle neck caliber like .30 Mauser, 22 TCM or similar for a fun caliber. Then I start reading and it seems to be nothing but headaches. Cases only lasting 1 or 2 firings, shoulders blowing way forward, sizing issues... Since there's no dirt cheap surplus ammo anymore, this would be a reloading first caliber.

Allow me to take the other side of this discussion. There are several things to consider as you move away from 9x19 Luger.

• The 9x19 cartridge with its free brass, ease of case cleaning, and numerous reloading options may have spoiled you.
• There are short-stroke and long-stroke pistols, with Luger falling into the short category. Therefore it may not be physically possible to convert your pistol to a long cartridge like 38Super. Check that first.
• If you are limited to short cartridges, then consider 9x21.
• If your pistol can accept long cartridges, then consider 9x23Winchester which has all the excitement of 357Mag in an auto pistol.

These cartridges offer long case life and the trouble-free reloading you've become accustomed to with Luger, while avoiding all the headaches of the shouldered case. And they have the added advantage of using components you already have on hand.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[PO2Hammer]

• The 9x19 cartridge with its free brass, ease of case cleaning, and numerous reloading options may have spoiled you. (yes, that's why I bought it)
• There are short-stroke and long-stroke pistols, with Luger falling into the short category. Therefore it may not be physically possible to convert your pistol to a long cartridge like 38Super. Check that first. (full size Kimber 1911, long stroke, mags with spacers)
• If you are limited to short cartridges, then consider 9x21.(nope)
• If your pistol can accept long cartridges, then consider 9x23Winchester which has all the excitement of 357Mag in an auto pistol.

Thought about 9x23 Win, great caliber, but Super brass is more common, and I'm not looking for too much excitement, just a second caliber to hedge my bet.

For bottlenecks, I think my last practical contender is the 30 Luger.

Too bad Armscor went all proprietary on the 22 TCM.