Stretching that 44 mag case

[triggerhappy243]

SOMEWHERE................ I read that their is another rifle case that uses the same shellholder and has the same diameter as a 44 mag case. looking to make longer brass for shot loads for my ruger sbh revolver.

[54bore]

445 Super Mag

Attachment 190121

[54bore]

Designed by Elgin T. Gates for silhouette shooting, the .445 Super Magnum is a heavy duty, lengthened version of the .44 Magnum. Guns have been manufactured by Dan Wesson and Thompson/Center. Primer pocket must be reamed deeper if you wish to use Large Rifle primers.

[obssd1958]

I've been cutting down .444 cases and .303 Brit cases. I also use a cutdown .410 shotgun wad for the shot. Top it off by crimping a piece of card stock, cut to size, over the shot, and a few dribbles of candle wax to hold it in place.

[54bore]

1.600 - 1.610 O.A.L.

152.50 for 250 pieces of brass from Starline.

[obssd1958]

And by the way, the .445 Super Mag is a blast to shoot!! We even had a pretty lady shooting one at one of the NCBS get togethers.
It really puts the knockdown on a swinging steel plate!

[54bore]

Kinda reminds me of the old .357 Maxi, i sure wish i could have bought one of the Rugers before they halted production of them, they cost a small fortune now days when you see one, kinda like a nice Pre 64 Winchester

[triggerhappy243]

I've been cutting down .444 cases and .303 Brit cases. I also use a cutdown .410 shotgun wad for the shot. Top it off by crimping a piece of card stock, cut to size, over the shot, and a few dribbles of candle wax to hold it in place.

this is what I was looking for, thank you. what do I have to do to the 303 brit brass to load for my 44 mag?

[William Yanda]

I have some in process. I found that i needed to thin the rim, and reduce the diameter slightly so they fit my Ruger SBH.

[Mk42gunner]

this is what I was looking for, thank you. what do I have to do to the 303 brit brass to load for my 44 mag?

Cut it slightly shorter than cylinder length and expand it. It has been so long since I did cylinder length loads for the .45 Colt, I don't remember if you have to turn the rims narrower or not. You can check that when you have the cylinder out.

Robert

[Skipper]

SOMEWHERE................ I read that their is another rifle case that uses the same shellholder and has the same diameter as a 44 mag case. looking to make longer brass for shot loads for my ruger sbh revolver.

Slightly larger rim, but the .30-40 Krag case diameter is perfect.

[GRUMPA]

I've done it with 444 Marlin brass, I have also done the 303 route. Using 303 the case is very thick, which.....reduces payload a bit.

Using the 444 Marlin requires a lathe to turn down the body right next to the rim. I can get a 30% increase in payload using the 444 Marlin, but I can't remember how much I got in the 303 British.

I use a special die for the crimp though, it's called a notching die which cycles great in rifles.

Hardest part when coming up with ideas.....trying to come up with a cheap parent case, it's not as easy as you may think.

After thinking a bit about what 54bore wrote, that's a case I didn't even consider. Guess I'll need to try the 445 case since it's even cheaper than what I'm using right now.

[54bore]

I've done it with 444 Marlin brass, I have also done the 303 route. Using 303 the case is very thick, which.....reduces payload a bit.

Using the 444 Marlin requires a lathe to turn down the body right next to the rim. I can get a 30% increase in payload using the 444 Marlin, but I can't remember how much I got in the 303 British.

I use a special die for the crimp though, it's called a notching die which cycles great in rifles.

Hardest part when coming up with ideas.....trying to come up with a cheap parent case, it's not as easy as you may think.

After thinking a bit about what 54bore wrote, that's a case I didn't even consider. Guess I'll need to try the 445 case since it's even cheaper than what I'm using right now.

I would think a guy could contact Starline and ask about buying 50 or so brass instead of 250, wouldn't hurt as bad on the wallet, but 152.50 for 250 brass is actually a darn decent deal! And Starline is top of the line brass

[54bore]

I just checked midway and they have the .445 Super Mag Starline Brass for .50 Cents a piece, 49 something for 100

[GRUMPA]

I just checked midway and they have the .445 Super Mag Starline Brass for .50 Cents a piece, 49 something for 100

I have a thread in the WTB section for the 445 Brass. I was going to post a thread on making them from 444 Marlin brass till you posted about 445 brass. The 445 brass is even cheaper than 444 brass, but I only have 444 Marlin brass here at the moment. I want to compare the payload side by side before I go diving into this conversion. The 414 Super Mag I use for the 41Mag shot load came out nice.

[54bore]

I have a thread in the WTB section for the 445 Brass. I was going to post a thread on making them from 444 Marlin brass till you posted about 445 brass. The 445 brass is even cheaper than 444 brass, but I only have 444 Marlin brass here at the moment. I want to compare the payload side by side before I go diving into this conversion. The 414 Super Mag I use for the 41Mag shot load came out nice.

GRUMPA, Keep us updated and let us know how it turns out, hope you can find a few pieces of brass to try! No need buying a bag of it until you know how it's gonna work? I bet the .445 Super Mag works perfect!

[RugerFan]

I have a thread in the WTB section for the 445 Brass. I was going to post a thread on making them from 444 Marlin brass till you posted about 445 brass. The 445 brass is even cheaper than 444 brass, but I only have 444 Marlin brass here at the moment. I want to compare the payload side by side before I go diving into this conversion. The 414 Super Mag I use for the 41Mag shot load came out nice.

What's your load and process for the .414 Super mag / .41 mag load?

[GRUMPA]

I'll make a thread later on that. Keep in mind that I use a special form die called a notching die when I close the case mouth.

[obssd1958]

I used R-P brass for the .303 British. I cut it down to just smaller than the length of the cylinders on my Ruger NM super Blackhawk, which turned out to be 1.680".
I just measured the rims of some R-P .44 Mag brass, and they measured .054" thick.
The rims of the R-P .303 Brit brass measured .059" thick. I didn't have any trouble with the cylinder turning, no binding, using that brass.

Hope this helps!

Don

[triggerhappy243]

WELL HERE IS AN UPDATE, A FELLOW SHOOTER GAVE ME ABOUT 60 PIECES OF 303 BRIT BRASS. THE RIM DIA. NEEDS TO BE TURNED DOWN A BIT, TIL THEN i CANNOT SEE IF THE CYL. WILL SPIN FREELY. ONCE I CUT THESE TO LENGTH, DO I NEED TO EXPAND THESE ANY?