44 Rusian loading help needed

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 109]

I am trying to set up my Dillon 550 to load 44 Russian. I cannot seem to get the funnel far enough down to flair the case mouth quite enough. I have had the powder measure on and off so many times I lost count and my patience. No doubt there is something that I am overlooking. Previously I was loading this caliber on a turret press. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Hochbauer

[Bailey Creek,5759 152]

Are your other settings correct .

Resizing dies.

Seating dies.

What i do is get resizing die set, then set powder .

Then seating die.

Try screwing it down one more turn.

[largo casey #19191 200]

I've never had a problem.Have you checked your powder die?

                                                                                                                   Largo

[Abilene, SASS # 27489 1,291]

You are using the 44 Colt/Russian powder die ?

 

edit: looks like the Colt/Russian and Special/Magnum conversion kits have the same part number. 

Edited December 25, 2020 by Abilene, SASS # 27489

[Colorado Coffinmaker 3,468]

 

I don't load on a 550C.  I load on a pair of 650s.  However, it sounds as if your powder thru die is not down far enough.

 

DO NOT take the powder measure off the powder die.  Just loosen the clamp screw (just one) enough to turn the powder die in the tool head then start turning the die down.  When you get where you ant to be, tighten everything up.  Good Luck.  Oh, and YES!!  I do load 44 Russian on my 650.  And C45S (also short).

[JB Sledge 11]

Howdy Hochbauer,

That cartridge is such a PITA, I gave it a new name when I loaded it for my brother Dutch all those years. Its called the 44 Bastard! I called Dillion about the problems I was having and they couldn't help me, sooooooooooooooooooo I just quit reloading it, problem solved!

Merry Christmas!

JB Sledge

[Preacherman 84]

I duno, I've loaded it on my 550 for years with no problem using Dillon dies. Still have threads left on the powder die. Like Coffinmaker said to adjust the die. 

[largo casey #19191 200]

May have to take the Loc nut off & put it on the bottom side of the Die to get down.

                                                                                                                                                                 Largo

[Bailey Creek,5759 152]

I have been loading 44 Russians on a 550 for 18 yrs with RCBS Dies, no problem.

[Red Rider Rudy 141]

I load on a 550 and I'm using Dillon Dies.  I had to cut the crimp die down almost 1/8 inch.

 

[Church Key, SASS # 33713 248]

Largo has the ideal solution. I loaded them for years after talking to Dillon and placing the lock ring on the bottom. Finally sold my .44's and recently the last APP .44 loads. 

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 109]

Huzzah...success. 

I had 2 powder funnels both marked the same one was longer than the other I suspect one was mismarked. Switched them out and then screwed the die to about the last thread and that issue is resolved just one more to overcome but that will need a replacement part for the primer system seems one of the holes are stripped and the assembly wobbles.

Thanks for your input

 

Hochbauer

[Bailey Creek,5759 152]

You will like the 44 Russian . It is very accurate . with Black or Smokeless .

[Jonathan Slim Chance 6]

I used all the tricks when I loaded .44 Russian on my 650.  Chucked the die in a lathe and shortened it up, used the Dillon lock nuts (which are thinner) and threaded them on from the bottom.  Had no problem loading them once I did all that.

 

 

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 109]

Primer system repaired had to retap the hole and new screw and all seems to be working peachy...just need to get a decapping/sizer die for the 44 Russian. But now have a bunch loaded and just need to get to the range.

Thanks again

 

Hochbauer

[Preacherman 84]

IE decapping/sizer die, I use all 44 mag. It works just fine. No need for special dies. You may have to grind off some of the bottom of the crimp die to shorten it up for it to work.

[bgavin 1,569]

44 Russian #4400 is about the only brass still available for purchase.
Starline is selling them at 500 count and 1,000 count lots.

[Sgt. Hochbauer, SASS #64409 109]

Bgavin,

I believe you can possibly buy that from Midway in smaller quantities.