Guys,
I have several .44 magnum, and about as many .357 revolvers, and a single S&W model 10 .38. I may yet acquire a lever action carbine or two in those calibers.
A couple of years ago, I bought some basic reloading gear but never really got started with it.
Now that our sons are grown we would like to start doing some practice shooting. Hence, we are contemplating buying some brass, probably Starline.
In most cases, we will be wanting to shoot .38 special and .44 special intensity loads. Since we have a single .38 special, there is of course no choice but to buy either all .38 special brass or buy some of each.
But as to the .44s, in order to simplify things and economize for the long run, I'm in a quandary as to whether we should buy nothing but .44 magnum brass and load them mild, or whether there is some compelling reason why we might also want to buy both .44 special AND .44 magnum brass.
Although I have no experience reloading I'm reasonably well read about it, and am well aware that you can load .44 magnums to .44 special intensity levels. My understanding that with certain powders it can be counter productive - even dangerous - to load the .44 mag cases with too much empty space, and that the "fix" for this problem is to use powders that are more voluminous.
So, in a nutshell, here's what I'd like to know. Should we buy mostly .44 special brass since that's really what we want to shoot the most? Or should we just buy .44 magnum brass and load it short?
I'm thinking about buying from 500 to 1000 pieces for each caliber (.38/.357 and .44).
I really don't enjoy shooting .44 magnums. After about 12 rounds I always start to flinch. I can shoot .44 specials all day long. Hence, it would seem to make sense to just buy mostly .44 special brass and maybe a smidgeon of .44 magnum for hogs or possibly deer. Even then, 100 rounds would probably last me the rest of my natural lifetime.
I have not compared the cost between the two. But if there are any considerations that I haven't thought about I will appreciate hearing them.
Thanks!
Vernon
I have several .44 magnum, and about as many .357 revolvers, and a single S&W model 10 .38. I may yet acquire a lever action carbine or two in those calibers.
A couple of years ago, I bought some basic reloading gear but never really got started with it.
Now that our sons are grown we would like to start doing some practice shooting. Hence, we are contemplating buying some brass, probably Starline.
In most cases, we will be wanting to shoot .38 special and .44 special intensity loads. Since we have a single .38 special, there is of course no choice but to buy either all .38 special brass or buy some of each.
But as to the .44s, in order to simplify things and economize for the long run, I'm in a quandary as to whether we should buy nothing but .44 magnum brass and load them mild, or whether there is some compelling reason why we might also want to buy both .44 special AND .44 magnum brass.
Although I have no experience reloading I'm reasonably well read about it, and am well aware that you can load .44 magnums to .44 special intensity levels. My understanding that with certain powders it can be counter productive - even dangerous - to load the .44 mag cases with too much empty space, and that the "fix" for this problem is to use powders that are more voluminous.
So, in a nutshell, here's what I'd like to know. Should we buy mostly .44 special brass since that's really what we want to shoot the most? Or should we just buy .44 magnum brass and load it short?
I'm thinking about buying from 500 to 1000 pieces for each caliber (.38/.357 and .44).
I really don't enjoy shooting .44 magnums. After about 12 rounds I always start to flinch. I can shoot .44 specials all day long. Hence, it would seem to make sense to just buy mostly .44 special brass and maybe a smidgeon of .44 magnum for hogs or possibly deer. Even then, 100 rounds would probably last me the rest of my natural lifetime.
I have not compared the cost between the two. But if there are any considerations that I haven't thought about I will appreciate hearing them.
Thanks!
Vernon