Looking for some advice on tweaking 44 mag cast loads for rifles. Instead of full length resizing does anyone reload their 44 mag cases similar to the guys reloading BP in 45-70 where the cases are only partially sized near the mouth to obtain grip on bullets to be seated? When I look at current loads I see the swelling of the larger sized bullets in the cases. In theory, it seems that this wouldn't provide optimum fit to the chamber, potentially bad for the brass life, and makes obtaining consistent neck/bullet tension difficult... or am I way off? I know that the 44 mag will most likely need a tighter crimp than 45-70 rounds for both ignition and cycling thru repeating rifles.
I was thinking of trying to load some fired cases for each rifle(keeping them separate of course), annealing the brass(something that I have never done) and try to get good bullet fit(I just ordered some alloy from Roto-metals to do chamber casts). I cannot do a whole lot with OAL as each rifle has it's limitations... one is a lever and the other a bolt, but the bolt rifle is restricted to a short magazine length...
I was thinking of making it easier to keep the brass & loaded rounds identified by using nickel plated brass or on and regular for the other. but that brings up another question that I hope you can help with... can you anneal nickel plated brass and soften it??? I have read conflicting opinions...
One thought I did to differentiate brass was to just apply a colored powder coat to only the base of the brass... but not sure how well it would hold up...
I don't want to reinvent the wheel and at my age I don't have enough time left to do it it I wanted to... your experience shared is greatly appreciated.
Kindest regards,
TheMoose