44 mag. cases for 44 special?

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15 January 2011, 22:41

Jon

44 mag. cases for 44 special?

I have several hundred once-fired 44 mag. cases and would like to trim them for use in a 44 special. Are there any problems here such as reduced capacity, case mouth thickness, etc?

15 January 2011, 22:47

vapodog

It'll be a bit of trimming.....and I've never done it but see no reason why it wouldn't work.

Personally, I'd just sell the 44 mag cases on the classifieds and buy new cases for the 44 special.

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16 January 2011, 03:33

tsturm

quote:
Originally posted by Jon:
I have several hundred once-fired 44 mag. cases and would like to trim them for use in a 44 special. Are there any problems here such as reduced capacity, case mouth thickness, etc?

Works fine, trim away

16 January 2011, 05:04

p dog shooter

I would sell the mag casings and buy 44special casings

16 January 2011, 05:15

TX Nimrod

The magnum cases will not obturate well at .44 SPL pressures and will get quite the case and chamber quite dirty - how dirty depending on the powder you use. I agree, sell the .44 Mags and buy .44 SPLs.

.

16 January 2011, 07:25

219DW PDK

Jon,
About 25 years ago I trimmed 50 FC .44 Mag cases to use in a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special. Shot it a lot at first to find a load that I liked. It's my truck gun now and don't shoot it a very often. Still useing those fifty cases with no problems.
Dave

16 January 2011, 09:14

Jon

Looks like the thing to do is not bother with the 44 mag. brass even though it WILL shoot. Had not thought of the mag. brass maybe not expanding well to seal the chamber. That could be a problem since I won't be shooting very hot loads in my replica 1873 Colt SAA. Thank you all for the comments.

Jon

16 January 2011, 17:31

arkypete

Back in the late 70s early 80s 44 Spec. cases were rare and hard to find. I was lucky enough to find a 5 gal pail/bucket of 44 Mag brass at a metal recycler for $15.00-$20.00 bucks.
I bought an el cheapo drill press, Lyman case holder for a drill press and trimmer head, and went to work.
I had a few blisters on my fingers from champfering the trimmed cases. I had what I considered an unlimited supply of brass for my converted Model 28 S$W.
Trimming 44 mag brass is a viable option.

Jim

"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson

16 January 2011, 20:37

onefunzr2

quote:
Originally posted by arkypete:

I bought an el cheapo drill press, Lyman case holder for a drill press and trimmer head, and went to work.

Trimming 44 mag brass is a viable option.

Jim

It might be viable but certainly not cost effective.

16 January 2011, 23:07

arkypete

quote:
Originally posted by onefunzr2:
quote:
Originally posted by arkypete:

I bought an el cheapo drill press, Lyman case holder for a drill press and trimmer head, and went to work.

Trimming 44 mag brass is a viable option.
Jim

It might be viable but certainly not cost effective.

When you can't find the brass, other then retail plus, when available, seemed like an economic plus to me.
Still have everything and when I need to trim down 50BMG brass down to 44 mag length for my dream revolver I'mm all set.

Jim

"Whensoever the General Government assumes undelegated powers, its acts are unauthoritative, void, and of no force." --Thomas Jefferson

17 January 2011, 07:11

garydn

I trimmed some to fit in charter arms,trimmed till thet fit my gun,pistol cases seem to get short after use.Put a 44mag in your personal gun and have a look.My pistol cases seem to be all different lengths but never long.