Just got my new Dillon dies for .44 Spec. so I could load up some ammo for my new M21 Thunder Ranch on my 550B.
First time I ever loaded for .44 Spec. Sized cases in carbide sizer and flared to what looked like a normal degree. The Berry 200 gr. rnfp plated bullets weren't very tight and I could push them down into the case with my thumb.
I finally lessened the expanding of the case mouth to less than I like and increased the crimp. On the Dillon die, the crimp is more or less a taper crimp with a small amount of roll crimp at the end. This appeared to solve the problem--I used moderate pressure to test the bullets before heading for the range.
I load for a number of calibers, and usually the case tension from sizing is enough to secure the bullet.
I'm wondering if anyone else is familiar with bullet seating tendencies for the .44 Special with plated bullets. The Berry 200 rnfp appears to be the proper diameter.
Also, would like to know if anyone with Dillon carbide sizer had any problems with 200 or 246 gr. lead.
For the record, in my pistol, 6.1 gr. of TightGroup produced average velocities of about 860 fps. 6.2 is max for both lead and jkt'd in the Speer manual.
I plan to reduce to about 5.8 to make it more pleasant shooting and reduce velocity. One small piece of plated lead, 1/4" in diameter, hit my chrono and stuck in it! Fortunately is missed the readout.
First time I ever loaded for .44 Spec. Sized cases in carbide sizer and flared to what looked like a normal degree. The Berry 200 gr. rnfp plated bullets weren't very tight and I could push them down into the case with my thumb.
I finally lessened the expanding of the case mouth to less than I like and increased the crimp. On the Dillon die, the crimp is more or less a taper crimp with a small amount of roll crimp at the end. This appeared to solve the problem--I used moderate pressure to test the bullets before heading for the range.
I load for a number of calibers, and usually the case tension from sizing is enough to secure the bullet.
I'm wondering if anyone else is familiar with bullet seating tendencies for the .44 Special with plated bullets. The Berry 200 rnfp appears to be the proper diameter.
Also, would like to know if anyone with Dillon carbide sizer had any problems with 200 or 246 gr. lead.
For the record, in my pistol, 6.1 gr. of TightGroup produced average velocities of about 860 fps. 6.2 is max for both lead and jkt'd in the Speer manual.
I plan to reduce to about 5.8 to make it more pleasant shooting and reduce velocity. One small piece of plated lead, 1/4" in diameter, hit my chrono and stuck in it! Fortunately is missed the readout.