Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409

MY main match rifle is 44-40...that said there is a bit of a learning curve to reloading them. Yes I do still occasionally mangle a case but I have done that with straight walled cases too. The only time I have really had any issues was when I have reloaded with smokeless powder. I ended up with some collapsing bullets but have resolved that issue with a Redding profile crimp die. Have been shooting frontiersman for the past few years but am thinking of shooting my 44-40 USAF's this season since my capguns have been giving me some fits. Sgt Hochbauer

I paid $90.00 for Federal LPP last time I bought them.

I was at Sportsmans Warehouse and see they have Federal 209MZ primers in stock. The are labeled for muzzle loaders. Has anyone used them for reloading shotgun shells. Primarily they would be used to reload BP shotgun shells. Has anyone reloaded with them or is there any reason not to use them. I called Federal this morning and awaiting a callback from them with the info. Figured that I would get a faster reply on here. Thanks Sgt H

I currently have a pair of USFA's that are .44 spcl but also have a set of 44-40 conversion cylinders they are quite a handful to shoot with a full case of BP with the 44-40 cylinders...lots of fun and smoke. But very sweet to shoot with 44 Russians also loaded with bp.One thing to check when you do get the new cylinders check the ones that are in the guns before you go to a match and what ammo you brought. I learned that lesson the hard way... Sgt H

I am using a Mec 9000 for all of my smokeless sg shells and a Mec Jr for my bp sg shells....although I sometimes use the 9000 to resize and prime my bp hulls then do the rest on the 600jr. I also have a pw 375 that periodically gets used for bp shells. I did begin reloading sg shells on a Lee Loadall then fell into a used 600 jr as a freebie...I added the primer feeder to it and cannot recall what became of the Lee press. Hochbauer