Using .44Mag Dies For .44Spl

[fguffey]

I got the distinct impression that RCBS dies were made with narrow ranges of adjustment on purpose so you would have to buy more dies.

Reloaders that adjusted their dies every time they used them did not have a problem, RCBS made die sets that would not work with a progressive press because the dies came first.

F. Guffey

 

[Jim Watson]

The last for sure.
The mouths of my RCBS carbide pistol dies are flat and nearly square, without much of the radius that lets cases in a sloppy progressive shellplate self-align.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I use an ancient Hollywood single station press for a lot of my reloading and also RCBS .44 Mag/ .44 Special Dies are labeled EXACTLY that on the box.
Never had a problem switching from one to the other.

 

[Buckeye357]

I have an RCBS "3-die carb set .44 mag/.44 sp". PN 18612. Bought around 1990.

Following the directions and using the spacer it works perfectly fine for .44 Spl and Mag. Produces a ROLL crimp. Produces outstanding loads in both calibers with pretty roll crimps.

My RCBS .357 mag/.38 Spl. set works the same way with equally outstanding results.

I did once buy a Lee .44 Mag taper crimp die thinking it would be good for light loads using lead bullets. Instead I got lazy and always use the RCBS seater/crimper die adjusted to "no crimp." Works great.

I too have these same dies bought in 1993 and also like them a lot. They make a great crimp with LSWC bullets that I use.