44 Russiian

[Ruff]

Howdy,

I was wondering how hard the 44 Russian was to reload? Also how is the availability of components? Any issues loading on a Dillion 55B I should consider?

[Pettifogger]

No harder to load than any other straight case round.  It is just the .44 Special shortened.  Uses the same bullets.  Cases are only available from Starline and all brass is pretty much back ordered.  Sometimes you can use .44 Special dies.  The sizer will always work.  But sometime the seater or crimper will be to long for the .44 Russian.  You can shorten the .44 Special seater or crimp dies or you can buy .44 Russian dies.

[Ruff]

Howdy Pettifogger,

I have never personally loaded any ammo. but have seen it done and have the supplies, for several calibers, and press. I just need to set it all up.

Have seen several guns that I like want and a couple were 44 Russian.

Does RCBS still make the Cowboy dies in 44 Russian or should I go with another die maker?

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[Blair]

Ruff,

Once fired 44 Mag or 44 Spl. brass ("use" to be available cheap).
Trimming to 44 R length was all that was needed. (that wasn't all that expensive either).
New dies from Lee were also inexpensive, used dies were at one time less expensive than new. You might find cutting down the length of the bullet seating/crimping die would help preform this job if your dies were set up for 44 Mag.
Recoil with BP loads is manageable, with bullets weighing 230 grs or less, provides hard hitting/knock down power, and is quite accurate.
I could load a box of 50 for about $5.00, where a new made box of 50 rounds was costing about $20.00. It didn't take me long to pay for the initial expenses for setting up.
It is, in my opinion perhaps the best CAS/WAS hand gun round available.
My best,
Blair

[FriscoCounty]

Piece of cake, especially if you load BP.  The Lee carbide dies are the way to go - inexpensive and carbide.