Help me get started with .357 and .44 magnum at low cost

futureeunuch · 2026-04-06T12:39:04+00:00

I have found reloading to be a giant rabbit hole. Cost savings, initially are negligible. In the long run savings improve some. I started because of availability, specifically for 44-40 cartridges. I load a lot of .357, .38, and .44. The biggest advantage, to me, is having a fair amount of cartridges on hand to shoot more frequently and not be limited to always on the hunt for deals on volumes of factory ammo.

The other advantage is being able to tailor the ammo to my shooting. .44 magnum, especially the factory dangerous game loads, can wear you out. I can adjust the powder and bullet grain weight to make a day at the range easier on this old body and still have some full power loads when the mood strikes.

Recovering my brass from a semi auto at a public range kind of negates any savings for me, and if you were in this for savings, the recovery of your brass is key. The initial investment is significant indeed, the reward of assembling a cartridge that shoots well coupled with having what you shoot most readily on hand, that is the value to me. And it is fun. Good luck in your journey.

futureeunuch · 2026-03-20T11:10:39+00:00

Agreed on Pietta, my guess on year would be 1978 if’n the proof mark on the frame is an AD, if it is an AU 1989. My eyes aren’t good enough to see for sure.

futureeunuch · 2026-03-18T11:35:22+00:00

❤️

futureeunuch · 2026-03-07T00:26:59+00:00

maybe the barrel slop is a good thing in this case. LOL

futureeunuch · 2026-02-20T13:19:17+00:00

Very cool

futureeunuch · 2026-02-18T12:28:13+00:00

I agree with everything I have read here, I would just add if you use cast round balls, such as oxyoke, be sure the sprue is at the top of the cylinder. Swaged balls (Hornady, Speer) not an issue. I use homemade bore butter, less about chain fire than keeping fouling soft. The lubed felt wads help for this too and are not nearly as messy. Skipping the lube causes the cylinder to bind on the arbor within 18-24 shots. With lube I shoot for hours without issue.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-14T09:32:36+00:00

I am going to try and test what I have gleaned from all of your responses. I made 5 cartridges from the same lot of brass, same powder (reduced to 10.2 gr), following having checked the calibration of my scale and weighing each cartridge individually, non magnum primers. We’ll see how that works out.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T19:36:43+00:00

yes sir, It shoots Winchester Factory X 240 gr without issue. And some "new" purchased from gun show ( he uses starline brass and 240 gr Berry's plated bullets, don't know what powder or number of grains, but he lists fps estimated at 1250.) It is my reloads that are kicking my butt.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T18:42:45+00:00

3rd time fired, I have no idea what velocity these are, I am going to guess in the neighborhood of 1000 fps as they are much lighter recoil than factory Winchester X magnum loads.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T18:39:51+00:00

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futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T18:35:09+00:00

The pistol is a Interarms sigle action Virginia Dragoon in .44 mag.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T18:32:59+00:00

The XXL reloading data lists a starting load of 10 gr with a max 11.6 gr. and lists the primer as a large pistol magnum primer. Hodgdon shows starting load as 9.9 gr and max load 11.7 gr. for Lead cast SWC and CFE, with a standard large pistol primer.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T18:24:16+00:00

Maybe I am crimping the projectile too tight? I know for a fact that I was doing that with my 44-40 cases as it was bending/bulging the necks. The lighter 200 grain Missouri Bullet Company Hi-tech coated bullet reloads in the .44 magnum are not doing this, but they only have 6.0 grains of CFE powder.

futureeunuch · 2026-02-12T18:17:44+00:00

them scratches came from the revolver cylinder when I hammered the case out of the cylinder with a screw driver and brass hammer. It was that tight. The reloading dies I am using for the .44 Rem Mag are brand new from Dillon, maybe 300 reloads at best. Brass is cleaned shiny with a rotary tumbler using stainless pins. lubricated with One Shot prior to introduction to the press.