Reloading 101 ".44 Special"

Reloading start to finish .44 Special with Blue Dot and 200 grain cast bullets.
www.patreon.com/user?u=10462972

[@daletustison8550]

I am impressed by precise attention. Most reloading manuals, new and old will explain the seating crimping to be done in one step. You have your reloaded cartridge in the crimping die. leave it Screw the seater back into the die until touching. Back the ram down. Turn the ram down 1/8th turn. Tighten the lock ring. You are on the road and save a step. Reloading is nearly as much fun as shooting to me. Thanks again.

[@CatholicCrossBearers]

It is called "Economies of Scale." The more you make the less expensive an item is. .44mag is more popular than .44 special.

[@johnbesharian9965]

Just ran across this video on the .44 Special of yours today. Good basic information. The .44 Special is probably my favorite center fire hand gun round. It was found to be an inherently accurate round and quickly adopted as a formal target round shortly after its introduction. It then proved to be a very versatile cartridge, especially after noted "Pistolero" and author, Elmer Keith started experimenting with it. He developed a lead 240 grain, truncated cone w/a flat point, style of bullet known by his last name. (They're also made in .38 Special and weigh 158 grains.) Keith is credited with co-developing the .44 Magnum along with Smith and Wesson by using their 1950 Target Revolver in .44 Special, 6 1/2" barrel, N-Frame and 18 grains of Hercules 2400 powder. Shortly after they came out I was able to acquire a Smith & Wesson Model 24 (one of 3,000) reissue of their 1950 Target and I love it. Glass smooth trigger that "breaks like glass" with no over travel, deep blue finish, & etc. When I hand load for it, I load three different types of loads; plinking/target loads with lead 240 grain Keith bullets over x grains of Unique for range and casual target shooting, or, when I go deer hunting, I load 240 grain semi-jacketed hollow points, or 240 grain jacketed, Keith style flat points over near Keith territory charges of Hercules 2400 as emergency "Bear Stoppers" for any overly aggressive black bears or idiot "Urban Agronomist's" tending their crops here in Calipornia who mistake me for a competitor. I will also use the target loads for my 2 /1/2" barreled Charter Arms Bulldog Pug in .44 Special and my 3" barreled Taurus Model 441-s [same size as a K-Frame Smith] in stainless steel. I do not use the "Hot" loads in them and for urban home defense I only use factory loaded Winchester Western 200 grain hollow points which have sufficient stopping power but are much less likely to penetrate either an aggressor, or any drywall wall should you miss, and unintentionally strike an innocent bystander., as, in this state, you're less likely to be labeled a "Homicidal Maniac just looking for a 'victim'"" if you do have to defend your life and use "Scary Looking" and/or it has a "Scary Sounding Name" ammunition. No matter if its hand or factory loaded.

[@johnhamre990]

Thank you big ed I haven't reloaded in many years you just motivated me to buy single stage press and reload my 44 specials i forgot how fun it was

[@biged7175]

Good stuff with .44 Special you'll save lots of $$$

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I thought KZbin was threatening all "manufacturing" related videos. That's nice that you're still here. Interesting video.

[@biged7175]

I'm happy also, reloading is also perfectly legal in all 50 states.

[@philipj470]

Big Ed l have a RCBS carbide 44mag/44 special also.A very good set!l noticed the round steel rings in your die set there on your loading bench.those are there for a reason as you can set your 44 mag dies on your rockchucker( a very good press-- l have 4 of them) and secure the Allen screw on the doe locking ring.those steel rings then allow you to put one of those rings-(-measure for thickness) and that ring placed over the threads of your sizing die and turned into rockchucker will be perfectly set to load 44 special.then you use same spacer on belling die and seater die( both set for 44 mag also)and those dies will be properly spaced to load 44 special.Good Shooting!

[@daletustison8550]

Thank You, You are very articulate in your information. Very good. Everyone I have ever heard recommended just one fairly sharp click at the end of each stroke of the handle on the measurer I am sure you will get even loads. I have tried it all in my many years of reloading.

[@biged7175]

Thank you Dale I appreciate it.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Great Video brother! I am new to 44mag/SPL and just soaking up info. I agree, I still use a small amount of lube even with my carbide 44 dies as well. Nice video!

[@gatekeeper3232]

Very clear and easy to follow. Great job

[@rodperkins3142]

very good video Ed. I like to reload after a hard day at work it relaxes me.

[@biged7175]

Good stuff.

[@Bonham-ik1pe]

Great video Big ED! Thanks for the info and the tips. It’s amazing how things have changed in two years. Being a revolver guy, I recently started reloading as it’s pretty much mandatory for 44 special and even 38/357. You can’t find 38 for less than a $1 a round in my neck of the woods. Ridiculous! Thanks again. Keep up the good work.

[@biged7175]

Glad I could help Bonham, I agree mandatory for 44 special its close to a tenth of the cost.

[@Bonham-ik1pe]

@@biged7175 It’s nuts how expensive 38 is as well. In my area it’s easily a $1 per round and that’s if you can find it. I appreciate your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@JWheeler331]

Very satisfying video.

[@70selvisfan]

Fast forward a couple of years, and I can't find any new ammo at all for my Bulldog. Haven't thought of reloading before, but I'm going to have to get into it now. Your video is the first one I've looked at. Gives me a good starting point. Thanks!

[@biged7175]

You almost have to reload .44 special it cost more than .44 Magnum.

[@hardball107]

I also use a little lube when resizing. I use a homebrew of ISO-Heet gas line antifreeze, 12oz RED bottle (100% isopropyl alcohol) mixed with 1oz of liquid lanolin. I put it in a used up Dawn Power Spray bottle for a fine mist. It is the slipperiest stuff ever, we can thank Dillon Precision, their recipe. Also when setting up a powder drop when I think it's close I'll drop 10 charges into a pan for an average. 5.3gr charge x 10= 53.0gr. It gives you an average and a 10th of a grain up or down puts you within a hundredth (.001) of a grain. I cast and powder coat my bullets. Currently the Lee 430-200-rf is my favorite, identical to yours. Being powder coated no lube is needed and I have pushed them over 1500fps with no leading in my 629 Classic, the powder coat is BONDED to the lead and there is no smoke. I coat them with candy red powder coat. Being a translucent color, with the silver bullet they look like red chrome, sometimes I coat them in a pewter color so they look like lead and the best part is I'm loading them for around $.05 a round. Still working off primers bought at $30/k. Before putting them in a box I drop them into a case gauge just in case and I have had a few bulged cases that wouldn't chamber, better to catch it at the bench than at the range. Good Shooting.

[@bobmcglothlin1562]

Thanks for video just gathering stuff to get started loading 44 special ammo.

[@bltefft]

I recently bought a Ruger Redhawk to go with my Ruger Super Blackhawk. Today, I loaded Titegroup powder into three of my 44 Mag cases. I topped them off with Hornady 180 gr HP bullets . Only one of my manuals had a recipe for Titegroup powder. According to Richard Lee's manual (2d Ed'n) I could go from 10.3 gr (1459 fps) to 11.5 gr (1544 fps) of Titegroup. So, I started low and worked up. I loaded one case with 10.0 gr, one with 10.3 gr, and with one with 10.5 gr. When I chronograped them, the 10.0 gr gave me 1315.2 fps. The 10.3 gr gave me 1374.5 fps and the 10.5 gr gave me 1392.2 fps. The revolver I used was a Ruger Redhawk, with 5.5 in barrel. The chrono I used was my new Garmin chronograph. The Garmin uses radar to get a bullet's speed, so I was able to set up inside my shed and shoot, while it rained, BTW - it has NEVER failed to get me the speed of a bullet (even my silenced Taurus .22 pistol) - I really like this Garmin even though it was expensive. Since I have room to increase the charge, later I'm gonna load 10.7 gr, 10.9 gr, and 11.1 gr and clock them. The three cases I shot today showed no signs of excessive pressure. My primers were plain old large pistol primers. I wish I knew what length barrel Lee used to get his speeds with. My 5.5 inch Redhawk was slower than whatever he used. Ya'll take care.

[@hanc37]

My favorite 44 Special loads are 8.0 gr of Unique (good luck if you can find it) 240 gr LSWC and 14.5 2400 (even harder to find) 240 gr. Nosler Sport Pistol HP. (good luck finding that as well) I've been reloading for 30 years and everything I like, I can't find. It's very frustrating...

[@samwilliams1142]

Demand is lower for 44 special, less is made to keep price high. Cast bullets are usually made 0.001 larger than jacketed.

[@johnbouley4514]

This is Ironic, I'm about to make some hot 44 mag for my 29-2. And yes Ed, I here ya I sold my 44 spl years ago because of the price of ammo. And Happy Holidays to ya bro!

[@biged7175]

Thank you!

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I jury rigged a cordless drill in a vise and an improvised bit to clean my primer pockets. Works a treat.

[@CHEECHMUN]

Not at all needed to clean the primer pockets. Just ask GunBlue

[@christophercoccitti7594]

I have a roll of white masking tape and sharpie and stick a strip on the powder hopper every time I fill with powder.

[@biged7175]

Smart idea.

[@lens7859]

When you said the prices of small ammo is cheap, looking back three years ago I would have stocked up !! Who knew, Would have put back a ton of primers and projectiles and powder. Now a couple of days after election day 2022 , things are a bit different.

[@johnbouley4514]

? Nice revolver buy!. Hole lot of steel man.

[@biged7175]

Yes it is, was just shooting it today working on the Video.

[@Turbo44mag]

Sales influence cost, what sales more costs less because of shelf time. Retail101

[@biged7175]

I agree with you.

[@harrisonmantooth7363]

I'm at the middle of June 2023 and I can't find any .44 Special's either. In fact, I lucked out last week and was able to buy a Smith model 29-10 but, the shop only had one 25 rd box of .44 mag ammo. I have to agree with you ontheco a t factor. Shopping online, .44 Specials are going over a Buck a round. We're living in crazy times.

[@biged7175]

I always look at ammo prices and avalibilty before I purchase a new gun. Unless your rich you need to reload all .44's

[@harrisonmantooth7363]

@@biged7175 I have plenty of components for my .44 mags. Many years ago I bought the Ruger Super Blackhawk. I still have .44 cal empty brass, used and new, plenty of 240 gr SWC Bullets and, I lucked out again at my "go to source" for anything related to firearms. There were cases of small and large pistol primers, small and large rifle primers and, primers for the .50 BMG. All caliber of cartridges and shotshells. There is definitely a change for the better from a few months ago.

[@CHEECHMUN]

I use the Gellato also. I have a lots of flavors! hahahahaha

[@filianablanxart8305]

What C.C.B. said below . Thru " normal retail " channels , .44mag massively outsells .44Spl. From specialty mid size mfgs , for example Georgia Arms , that primarily sell direct , the prices are about the same .

[@auwz66]

Hello from the UK, I am reloading .44spl with exactly the same set up as you. The one thing I have found is belling out the case a tad more than you are makes for better crimp / seat of the bullet.

[@biged7175]

I'll have to give that a try.

[@johnbailey2034]

The savings really start when you melt you own lead. I get my brass free my lead free . So powder and primers and I do use powder coating. I also use a bullet sizing die even if I was to buy lead. Bullets like you did I would take the time to run them through the bullet sizer just to check the quality of the bullet. After all it’s your hands and eyes you might lose .

[@biged7175]

I know I need to get into lead.

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

NOt sure whats up with their website, but Indiana Bullet Co was a good low cost hard cast supplier. Ive bought their bullets at gun shows, but their online prices were good too.

[@biged7175]

Thank you for sharing I might buy some or will get more hunters supply.

[@28highboy]

I use a fast burning powder for low velocity rounds like 44 special and 38 special. You get better case expansion. Try Bullseye or Clay. Blue Dot is a slow burning magnum powder.

[@biged7175]

I could I just had some and it's called for in the reloading books.

[@28highboy]

Yes, but refer to the burn rate guide in your Lee manual. You'll have less black soot on your cases. Lots of other powders up to 8 or 9 on the burn rate.

[@Heavy-C]

Great video. I noticed you didn't trim the cases. Do you not need to trim them since they are straight wall?

[@biged7175]

Correct straight wall cases don't need trimming.

[@alegroman4294]

Personally, I’ve never use lube on a perfectly working set of carbide pistol dies. But I did notice on worn dies the cases will drag a little bit as you resize. Only then will I lube them. On a side note, have you ever load 44 special cases to the power factor of 44 mag? Of course making sure you don’t shoot those in a 44 special only gun. Thanks

[@biged7175]

Never have seemed dangerous. I keep 44 specials around 800 fps 44 Mags. I load to full power.

[@stuartmarkman769]

I know this is an older video and the pries for materials has gone nuts. Powder is double the price now and primers are out of sight. It is 2 023 and It is really sad but still cheaper than store bought ammo, if you can find it.

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

Im guessing 44 mag is more popular in demand than 44 special, so cost is more do to limited runs. Kinda like 410 shotshells vs 12/20 gauge prices.

[@biged7175]

I agree with that but I can still buy lead bulk 410 for cheap.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@biged7175 It's possibly due to accounting practices; i.e. the cost of small runs may have to absorb more overhead for fewer units sold. That's just a wild guess though. The other possibility is that as a reduced supply item it could be that the market will bear a higher price due to limited availability.

[@biged7175]

@@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017 Yes I would agree with both of those principles.

[@morganhay859]

Yea but 44 special is cheaper to reload especially if you cast bullets 410 is cheap compared to 10 gauge stuff.

[@toddreeder3082]

Hey Ed i was checking Hodgdon reloading center hell if ya dont have 44 special brass load the mag brass with like a powder like Clays or something else velocities atound the 1,000 fps range

[@biged7175]

Yes that is possible but I like the different brass sizes it helps me know what's what.

[@TheYjmfan]

Great video enjoyed that, question.... can you not load a 44 special load in a magnum case?

[@biged7175]

Yes you can put any 44 special load in a 44 mag case, I like to keep them very separate because your dealing with massive power differences.

[@TheYjmfan]

@@biged7175 I was just checking as I thought I used to do this years ago back in the mid 80s in my s&w mod 29 I'm now getting back into shooting & reloading but unfortunately in the UK I can't own a handgun as such just a long barrel pistol or a 44 mag. Marlin underlever which I'm getting soon, thanks for your help happy shooting!

[@mdd1963]

the .44 Special load in a .44 Mag case will likely have 50-75 fps less velocity due to the magnum case's larger volume...

[@rururu5630]

So how did this load shoot? Were there any pressure issues with the fired brass?

[@biged7175]

They shot great no pressure problems.

[@Berkner80]

I've run into the same problem. Wanting to shoot my Super Blackhawk using 44 special but really expensive. I just wish they sold target rounds. What would be a rough estimate to get fully setup to reload your own?

[@Berkner80]

Just saw on the RCBS site and just for a press would be $200. So maybe not worth it unless you do a ton of shooting but looks interesting. If I could get a full setup for $600 I might do it.

[@biged7175]

Watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/robCl36HjNdrfMk

[@chuchuchip]

Not carried by a lot of dealers. Not as popular as the .44 mag. I'm in the worst situation, I live within the NY City area. I hate New York! Soon I retire & goodbye NY all together & not looking back. Bloomberg screwed NYC for 3 terms as mayor & he now wants to tell you how you should live as president. That happens I'll move to Mexico!

[@mr.g2660]

Try some Gt bullets there AWSOME on my charter arms 44 speacial I have reload 190gr 220gr and 240gr hollow point great expansion on all no lead fouling, the also have the 250gr 44 caliber Lead Semi Wad Cutter Hollow Point hand cast Keith bullet if you want some hard hitting 44 check them out many popular caliber available great projectiles try them and shoot a review.

[@biged7175]

I will I have be looking for some good 250 Keith bullets.

[@1911geek]

It doesn't hurt to lube smooth sizing

[@victorv4340]

I have a S&W model 29-10. I have 44 special cases. I could only get hornady 300gr bullets and could only get cci magnum primers. my hornady handbook edition 10 does not show that bullet and how much powder to use and it shoes different powders to use. I could only get hodgdon h110 powder and the reloading date on the label only shows 44 rem mag data formula to use. So how many grains do you suggest with that 300gr bullet and the H110 powder in a hornady 44 special case? My RCBS rock chucker supreme should be here this friday and have never reloaded before. thanks for your or any one else who might see this informative video

[@biged7175]

First I would not load H110 or 300 grain bullets in .44 Special cases there going to end up blowing up with those large bullets and the much pressure. Just order .44 Mag brass its available on gunbroker.com Also the Smith's really don't like 300's grainers stick with 240's or 200's. Also you need to buy an reloading book, Speer, Hornady or Lee before you make any reloads. It would be better if you started loading true .44 Specials like the ones in this video with Blue Dot or Unique. Also when you start shooting wear gloves and good eye protection.

[@victorv4340]

@@biged7175 I did mention I had a hornady book. could not get magnum brass. could only get 300's. you said smiths don't like 300 grainers. does that mean the size of a 300 create more pressure?

[@biged7175]

@@victorv4340 Smith 29's .44 Mags are really designed for 240's but work well with 200's also. 300's are really for hunting very large game and they will raise pressures and .44 Special brass is not nearly as strong as .44 Mag brass. Take my advice don't piece meal large revolver rounds you first time reloading your asking for problems. Copy the recipes in that Hornady book for .44 Mag or .44 Special don't create your own until you've loaded thousands of rounds for years.

[@victorv4340]

@@biged7175 Ok thanks for advice. I'm asking questions because I want to make sure I do it right. I did find the right powder HS6 and 180gr on gun broker today. bullets were at a good price but the powder I paid like 4 times more then the normal price. Who ever started this ammo shortage needs a kick in the butt. thanks again and stay safe.

[@brickhammerSS]

​@@biged7175 I know this was two years ago but damn good job helping out this dude. You see questions like this all over KZbin and the dude doing the video will just ignore the person asking the questions. Could have been all bad for this kid. Great video by the way

[@mrrifleman1695]

u dont need to reset sizer die,they r the same,til u get to bell,n seatin dies,.125 shorter 4 spl

[@thetexasrat]

I think that the 44 Specials cost more than the 44 Magnums, because they are not as popular, so that they are made in smaller runs and sit on the selves longer.

[@biged7175]

I agree 100%

[@marcogamboni4347]

Che polvere usi e quanti grani metti ???

[@toddreeder3082]

Ed i dont know why the 44 special cost more per factory rounds hence why does .380 cost more than 9mil?

[@nikitavisuals568]

I believe it is based on demand. Low demand means lower amounts of .44 special being produced so it is kind of a specialty ammo.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

@@nikitavisuals568 Low demand combined with a stiffer price elasticity of demand curve. Shooters looking for 380 and 44 special will tolerate higher prices so they don't have to go hunting for it elsewhere.

[@morganhay859]

It’s probably more because of the demand. Which doesn’t make sense because you can shoot 44 special in a 44 mag but not 44 mag in a 44 special.

[@emjartan45acp]

A little lube never hurt.....👍

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

how had is it to find fmj pills for the 44 spcl

[@biged7175]

Easy same a 44 magnum, .429"

[@MaineOutdoorsChannel]

@@biged7175 Ed, so basically i am looking for range ammo, something that won't create a lot of lead build up... and something economical... any suggestions on what i should buy....

[@biged7175]

@@MaineOutdoorsChannel Just buy whatever is cheap and if it's not fmj but lead clean it well with a good solution like Hopps

[@gshock3092]

Probably get same results with 44mag and trail boss!

[@morganhay859]

Why don’t you buy new brass from star line or something it’s cheaper then buying factory stuff and better quality too.

[@biged7175]

I do I'm a big buyer of new starline brass.

[@chokeout412]

Supply and demand is my guess.

[@biged7175]

Lack of demand I think, manufactures make so little they need to really charge for it.

[@chokeout412]

@@biged7175 it's quite sad really. It's a great cartridge. I just ordered a Smith & Wesson model 69 and I'm going to reload 44 specials for it. If it wasn't for reloading, I would never own that.

[@biged7175]

@@chokeout412 I love relopading for .44 Mag & Specials, have you watched my 629, Super Red Hawk, Black Hawk and Henry .44 Mag video's.

[@SteveSnowman]

point 430 and point 429;-)

[@mdd1963]

so you think it's not 4.3? :)

[@stangtofastable]

Because more people buy mag

[@nikitavisuals568]

If I want to shoot lighter target loads from my .44 mag I simply use the low end of load data for a given bullet. One can load .44 mag cartridges down to .44 special velocity based on book recipes. Of course I can only shoot .44 special from my .44 special revolver.

[@biged7175]

I like the separate brass sizes for power levels.

[@keithviglucci8306]

Also one has to think about how the different internal volumes of the cases may affect the pressure curve. Personally I load 44 special loads in 44 special cases.

[@biged7175]

@@keithviglucci8306 Yes I like that thinking.

[@jackrains5880]

Hans Crotchfelt

[@pkplith]

It cost 💲 more it’s called greed.

[@SovietSquib]

I will pay you for those reloads

[@biged7175]

Thanx Nic, where do you live?

[@SovietSquib]

@@biged7175 lol Amarillo TX

[@chuchuchip]

Not carried by a lot of dealers. Not as popular as the .44 mag. I'm in the worst situation, I live within the NY City area. I hate New York! Soon I retire & goodbye NY all together & not looking back. Bloomberg screwed NYC for 3 terms as mayor & he now wants to tell you how you should live as president. That happens I'll move to Mexico!

[@biged7175]

Mexico has much worse gun laws than USA, Bloomberg will never get elected.