Shell holder for .44 Colt

[Ed Clintwood]

I just got my 1872 Open Tops yesterday, the brass from Track of the Wolf came in and I was looking for a shell holder for my Dillon 450B.  Much to my surprise the shell holder for .30-06, .45 ACP etc works perfectly.  Now I just need the dies and bullets to get here and I'll go shootin'

[French Jack]

Actually, the Lee #3 shellholder is the correct size.  That is the same one used for the 22 Highpower case.

[Ed Clintwood]

Ah but I don't have a Lee #3 and I do have a Dillon plate for .30-06 etc, I have to check with Dillon as my expander is super tight (.44 Mag) and I have to grind a little more off the crimping die so that I can get a crimp on the .44 Colt - UNLESS some pard out there has an easier way other than using .44 mag dies.  I'm wondering if the Starline cases are a bit tight and once fired the regular expander will work OK.

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[Ed Clintwood]

French Jack,
RCBS gives a #2 shell holder for the .22 HiPower, the same as a .30-30.  My .30-30 plate for the dillon does't even come close.  Methinks this is a matter of what works, works.  I did order a .44 Colt kit for the Dillon though, now if I can find the .44 Russian dies from RCBS...

[Fox Creek Kid]

Lee .44 Russian dies are $20.00. Forget RCBS. Just be sure to call Lee & get the internal spacer for the .44 Russian so as to be able to crimp.

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

RCBS # 18 is what came with my RCBS .44 colt dies. This is for the .44 colt rim with the original .483 diameter.

Bill

[Ed Clintwood]

I ordered the Lee dies for the .44 Russian, RCBS seems to be impressed with themselves.  I also tried my .30-06 RCBS shell holder and it was a no go.  Go figure,

[French Jack]

Since I had an extra set of Lee dies for the 44 Special, I just shortened the die body on the expander die and the bullet seating die.  Works great, and the dies were cheap.  The #3 Lee shellholder is correct for the Starline brass.  I do not know what the other companies number theirs.  Lee has a different numbering system.  The shellholder is the one that fits the 30-30.