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bremraf
02-06-2016, 06:59 PM
Hey guys, I got all set up to make some 44 mag bullets out of .40 brass, and my question has more to do with sizing than the swaging part. That actually went pretty well. I have 2 lee sizers to make the finished product, I swage up to about .438, then down to .432, then My final was supposed to be 430, but they turned out to be .428! I sized a boolit with it to just to compare, and it came out .429. Is .428 too small to fire in my Super Blackhawk? The swaged bullets at .432 would not drop through the cylinder. Thoughts? I may write Lee and get another sizer, I just didn't want to scrap 30 bullets if I didn't have to.
BT Sniper
02-06-2016, 07:58 PM
What are you using for swage dies?

44 cal diameter should be between .4290 and .4300.

.428 will shoot, .4295 would shoot better.

I would not shoot .432 jacketed bullets in any 44 caliber weapon!

Keep your 44 cal jacketed bullets between .429 and .430 and you will be good to go.

BT
bremraf
02-06-2016, 08:18 PM
I am using a 7x57 sizing die to bump up the diameter of the 40 cases stuffed with enough lead to turn out 295gr bullets. I had it on hand and seemed to work. I suppose I'll have to take my lee sizer and ream it out a little at work to get to .429. Aggravating to order something(I know its Lee I shouldn't expect a whole lot) and it turn up wrong. This first run I simply filled the cases with melted pure lead, but I'm working on modifying a mold to cast slugs around 230grs.

Thanks for the confirmation on not shooting the .432 bullets BT, I figured if they wouldn't drop through the cylinder it would probably be a bad idea to stuff them in front of a full charge of 296! I have however shot .432 boolits with great success. I guess I'll put up some pics when I get my next batch done. Gotta round up some more .40 brass!
BT Sniper
02-06-2016, 08:26 PM
Yes... as I understand it cast lead "boolits" are commonly shot at an oversized diameter with no issues. It is not the same with jacketed "bullets!" Especially a 295 grain oversized jacketed bullet!

Good shooting, swage on and stay safe!

BT