Newby reloading questions

[mikld]

mikld
I bought the S&W mod 29 44mag with a 8 3/8 barrel scoped . The cylinder has a different lock cut on the cylinder. Bought it in the 80's haven't shot it much , shoot 1911's in the colder months indoors . I favor bench rest shooting 308 cal in the warmer months , just can't handle the cold. I gave the 4" 44mag to my Son , it was like a flame thrower.

Reloading is the answer! I've reloaded my 44 Magnums (5 of them) with everything from 123 gr balls over a dusting of Bullseye to 300 gr T-Rex Killers over a hefty load of WC820. From mild to wild (ball loads in my SBH were like shooting 22 shorts and the 300 grainers in my Dan Wesson were really arm breakers, 20 rounds was max.).

 

[cw308]

I do reload , When I bought the 44 I picked up Two boxes of full loads 240's HP's before the dies still have a box. If I remember I was using Universal mild loads , its an accurate shooter the scope an resting on the base of the grip ( cheating ) is almost like shooting a rifle . One arm I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside . Callahan I'm not.

 

[Arbl58]

Thanks

I want to thank everyone for their responses, there is a wealth of information here. I must admit some of some of you guys have gone way beyond basic
reloading and it will take some time for me to grasp some of the fine arts you guys have developed. As I gain experience and knowledge of the finer arts I hope to be able to pass on the information I have gained from some of you.
Thanks again

 

[buck460XVR]

You cannot use a regular roll crimp die, which probably came with your set. You must acquire a taper crimp die for .38, and that can be used in your .357.

Why is that? The X-Treme 125s in .38 have a cannelure to roll crimp into. While I would suggest only a light roll crimp because they are plated, I still do not see a legitimate reason for a taper crimp die for use with a cannelured bullet.

I must admit some of some of you guys have gone way beyond basic reloading and it will take some time for me to grasp some of the fine arts you guys have developed.

Seems to be the norm here sometimes. I come from the school of using the KISS method(Keep It Simple Stupid). When it comes to reloading, there is a wealth of knowledge and sometimes folks want to impress newbies with everything they know. I suggest taking it slow and reading your manuals, not just for the load recipes, but for proper and safe practices and techniques. Plated bullets fall between the realm of lead and jacketed and for the most part use lower end jacketed data. They also cannot generally be pushed to legitimate magnum velocities, due to their construction. If and when you want to try .357 magnum, I suggest you get a jacketed bullet like Hornady's XTP . It has a wealth of published load recipes and is very easy to have success with. For plinker type, low level .357, your plated should be fine.

As for trimming cases, that is something you will have to discover for yourself, once you have become experienced. Consistent roll crimps are only possible if your cases are all the same length. Period. Whether or not your type of shooting and the powders you use demand consistent crimps is the determining factor. Not what someone else does. This holds true for many reloading practices. What bullet and powder charge works well for someone else might not work well at all in your gun, thru no fault of yours. Only experience and time will tell you what works for you. Stay within parameter of published manuals and always verify any recipe you get on the internet with a published source.