COL for .44 Russian please?

[HiWayMan]

I have been cutting down some .44 Special brass to make .44 Russian loads. I like the thought of .44 Russian, less powder and more velocity. The trouble is I can't find an accurate min./max. overall length. I have checked Hornady, Speer #13, and all Lee 2nd Edition gives me is 1.430". When I seat a 200gr lead bullet at 1.430 it barely even crimps in the lube groove. So what the hell is going on? Can some one help a brother out?

Regards,

HiWayMan

 

[enfield]

It sounds like you have the wrong bullet for .44 Russian.

 

[Jim Watson]

COL is not much use on a normal revolver cartridge.
Seat a revolver bullet to crimp in the crimp groove.

However, as Enfield says, you have the wrong bullet and are talking about an abnormal situation. A 200 grain .44 is either a .44-40 bullet or something dreamed up for CAS powderpuff loads. It will work OK for that when seated to the crimp groove no mater the COL.

Reducing case volume to increase velocity is a different matter.
Y'all be careful, now, you hear?

 

[HiWayMan]

The data from Lee 2nd Edition has data for "200gr. lead bullet". So I'm using the same ones I load for .44 Special (see link). If these aren't the ones to use can someone provide a link to a correct bullet?

Thanks



http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=231913

 

[Jim Watson]

Yup, that is what I consider a .44-40 bullet, just sized to .429" for light loads in .44 Russian/Special/Magnum. It will do just fine. Seat it to crimp in the groove and go.

 

[HiWayMan]

Thanks Jim. Your timely replies are always welcome. I was a bit baffled by this one, because there doesn't seem to be much data for it.