Reloading 44 and 357 mag

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Big JJ

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I would like to buy some cheap range rounds. 500 of 357 mag and 500 of 44 mag.
I want the range rounds to have reloadable boxer primed brass.
I consider the 1000 rounds of range shooting just a bonus as I will load to my specs in the end.
Any suggestion on where I can find the best price and product?
 
The words "Cheap" and "44 or 357 mag" just don't seem to go together in the same sentence. Even when you're talking about reloads. I would take a look at:

Georgia Arms
Freedom Munitions
LAX
 
No kidding out here the cost of .44 special loaded ammo is higher than the .44Mag and much harder to find, not to mention .44 Magnum brass.
 
Academy's Monarch brand 357 ammo uses good reloadable brass, as does PPU. Precision One ammo loads *new* starline brass and their 44mag jhp is very reasonable (about $25/box for FMJ here locally).
 
I 100% agree with what has been said. You will most likely not get quality brass with "cheap" ammo.

I would also add that, both with .357 and with .44, you almost certainly save money buying the components (and even dies for reloading) over purchasing 500 rounds of each and saving the brass. It has been a long time since I have purchased ammo for either but the last time I did, both were well over $30 per box. If you are talking about 20 boxes of ammo at $30... Well, you can buy an awful lot of reloading supplies for $600.
 
Team
Thank you for your advice.
So it seems to get Good brass that I can use over and over I should go with Starline.
So where should I look for it and what should I expect to pay for it?
Also does anyone use the Winchester and Remington brass, if so how does it hold up?
 
"Cheap" ammunition is like cheap shoes. Sooner or later you're going to wish you hadn't bought the cheapest out there.

You'll be better served by opting for best value. The cheapest anything is seldom the best choice.

In addition to the links suggested, try Georgia Arms. But if you ultimate goal is rolling your own, buy virgin brass. Mt favorite is Starline and they have what you want in stock right now.
 
Buying cheap (inexpensive) ammunition to get the brass is only going to get you cheap brass. If it's worth doing then it's worth doing right. Either invest in good quality ammunition like Winchester USA, Remington UMC or Federal but something with quality brass for your reloading efforts. That or as mentioned, buy some fresh Starline brass and do it right. Your call.

Just My Take....
Ron
 
Remember that the most expensive component in your load will be the brass. If you're looking at, say, wadcutter loads with the same bullet weight, and one is considerably "cheaper" than another, can you guess where the cost savings is?

Everyone here so far is giving you solid advice regarding Starline brass. I'll agree that for the money, I don't think you can do better. I've never had a bad experience with their brass.
 
I'll disagree with the masses. There is cheap ammo with good brass. I wouldn't buy 500 rounds though. I'd buy a couple boxes and keep my eyes open. Not everybody who shoots revolvers reloads, but most who don't still keeps their brass brass in the box of ammo they shoot from. I found a lot of revolver brass in the boxes in gun range trash cans. I also put the word out to have people save it.

Blazer ammo is often in reloadable brass now.
PMC brass is as agood as anything else, better than WW.
American Eagle brass is fine.

Really, the only revolver brass I ever used with a noticeable reduced lifespan was R.P .38 spl.
 
TimSr said:
I'll disagree with the masses. There is cheap ammo with good brass..
Click to expand...

I never said there wasn't inexpensive ammo with good re-loadable brass, I just questioned the reasoning of paying for it already loaded, if all you're really after is the brass. While I reload, I still sometimes buy factory ammo, not for the brass, but for the times when I have folks at the range that I do not feel safe shooting my reloads. Not that my reloads aren't safe, but, if something happens with factory ammo when non-family or not-so-close friends are shooting, it ain't my butt in the wringer. With low pressure rounds like .45ACP and .38, I don't think brass type is that important. Load it till you lose it or the necks split.
 
oK more questions that I think I already know the answer to about 44 mag.
However I would like you guys to weigh in with your thoughts on these.
I live in the Cali Condor region so I can only carry non lead ammo when hunting.
I am leaning towards the Buffalo Barnes 225 grain copper loads for my hunting carry round as black bear defense.It should run out of my gun around 1350 fps.
1. Do you think this is the best copper bear defense load avalable.
2. Given the load above what would you recommend as a range round bullet to load as close to this one ballisticlly? The range round can still be lead and does not have to be copper. So far I have not found a 225 lead bullet, only 200 and 240 grain.
Recomendations?
 
Missouri Bullets has a 210 gr .44.
Magnus Bullets has a 215 gr .44.
Montana Bullet Works has 220 and 225 gr .44s but they are hand cast and are more expensive than the usual bulk bullets.

Me? I would get a sample of the more common 200 and 240 and see which shot closest to the zero of your copper 220s.
 
Team
I am curious about the cost.
What are your avg cost of reloading a round of 44 mag.
Excluding the cost of the brass as it will be used multiple times.
Basically the powder+primer+bullet cost.
Powder cost will very from load to load and brand to brand but looking for an avg cost.
Thanks
 
No kidding out here the cost of .44 special loaded ammo is higher than the .44Mag and much harder to find, not to mention .44 Magnum brass.
Click to expand...

Yup, same here in the north.
I've been lookin local for 44 Spl for 2 years - there just ain't none to be had.
Even reloadable brass is scarce
 
Take a look at the lead bullet loads from Georgia Arms. I've used their .41 Magnum mid-range loads and they shot really well. They were all put up in new Starline brass.
 
Big JJ said:
Team
I am curious about the cost.
What are your avg cost of reloading a round of 44 mag.
Excluding the cost of the brass as it will be used multiple times.
Basically the powder+primer+bullet cost.
Powder cost will very from load to load and brand to brand but looking for an avg cost.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Using my own cast 240 grain bullets, it costs me around $8 per box of 50 to reload. Using Montana Gold 240 grain JSPs it is about $15.
 
Big JJ said:
Team
I am curious about the cost.
What are your avg cost of reloading a round of 44 mag.
Excluding the cost of the brass as it will be used multiple times.
Basically the powder+primer+bullet cost.
Powder cost will very from load to load and brand to brand but looking for an avg cost.
Thanks
Click to expand...
costs me about $12/50 using Oregon Trail bullets loaded warm. A little less for MBC pkinker loads, more for XTP's.
 
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