how to bump back shoulder on 44 mag/30-40 shotshell brass

[happy7]

I have been making shotshells for my 44 mag using 30-40 krag brass to use the full length of my cylinder in my redhawk. this is working very well, however after the first shot, the brass forms to the chamber and I get a shoulder on the casing where the chamber narrows at the front of the cylinder. This is good and expected, but I find that in order to get the performance I want out of the shot the pressures are high enough that the brass really needs to be sized to bump back the shoulder in order to keep the heads of the casing from dragging on the frame when the cylinder is rotated. So does anyone have any solutions for this? One I know of would be to get a custom die, but setup costs are like $100 which is more than I am willing to spend. Anyone interested in a group buy on this?

[jhrosier]

If you have a .40 S&W sizer, try using it to size just the forward part of your shotshell.

Jack

[Scrounger]

If your .44 mag sizer is one that doesn't have the de-priming rod in it, can't you simply run the case into it as far as you want to relocate the shoulder? Maybe not turn the die all the way into the press... Am I making myself clear, is this workable? I'll be loading some of those myself so I'm interested in this.

[happy7]

Jack,

I have a 41 caliber sizer that works as you say to size the forward part of the case. It is the perfect size, however, it will not size the shoulder, as it is too sharp on the forward end. It puts a ring indentation around the brass at the shoulder if i try to get it to size the shoulder. I suppose if I could find a 41 caliber sizer that was radiused, that could work. But I am not sure if such an animal exists. I guess I could take a fired casing with me next time I get to the big city and try it in the mouth of some 41 dies on display. Or if I could find a steel sizer and find someone who can put a radius on it.

Scrounger, I can size the part of the case below the shoulder, but the shoulder itself and above the shoulder is too small a diameter for the 44 die.

[Scrounger]

I think the part of the case above the shoulder must be at least bullet diameter size, say 0.432" give or take a couple of thousandths. How about running it into a Lee Cast Bullet Sizer Die? Once again, I haven't tried this, just trying to imagine a way to get it done. I suppose you could sweet talk Buckshot or one of the other machinist types to make a custom die for you.

[Pepe Ray]

The 41 mag die is the correct size. As to the sharp edge;
I've noticed in my selection of carbide dies that the Lymans appear to be a lot
rounder than the RCBS. I would propose that it would be enough to accommodate
the shoulder radius needed. This presumes they haven't changed design in 25 yrs.
Take a look.
Pepe Ray

[jhrosier]

Happy7,
How about trying the seater die in stead of the sizer?
The seaters usually are a few thou bigger and have a radius.

Jack