Open Top Caliber question

Cole Bluesteele · June 28, 2007, 01:28:27 PM

I understand that the rim is different on the 44 Colt and the 44 Special. That said will 44 Colt rounds function in an OT in 44 Special? Also, does any know what shell plate would you use in a Dillon 550 for 44 Colt? Dillon does not list one for a 44 Colt, but somewhere I read that the 41 magnum shell plate works for the 44 Colt.

Thanks in advance,
Cole

Fox Creek Kid · June 28, 2007, 02:30:04 PM

Quote...I read that the 41 magnum shell plate works for the 44 Colt.

It does and I've heard 30-30 Win. works as well but have never tried it.

Marshal Deadwood · June 28, 2007, 02:43:28 PM

.44Colt shell plate = #02 RCBS

Hope this helps

Marshal Deadwood

litl rooster · June 28, 2007, 03:45:25 PM

Quote from: Cole Bluesteele on June 28, 2007, 01:28:27 PM
I understand that the rim is different on the 44 Colt and the 44 Special. That said will 44 Colt rounds function in an OT in 44 Special? Also, does any know what shell plate would you use in a Dillon 550 for 44 Colt? Dillon does not list one for a 44 Colt, but somewhere I read that the 41 magnum shell plate works for the 44 Colt.

Thanks in advance,
Cole

Have you tried the .45 shell plate for them on your Dillon 550?

Abilene · June 28, 2007, 04:32:18 PM

Cole, yes the .44 Colt (and .44 Russian) will chamber fine in both the .44 Colt and the .44 Spcl Opentops.

Hell-Er High Water · June 28, 2007, 04:53:51 PM

I was given some 44 Colt cases that had been converted from 44 Special cases. I then reduced them to 44 Russian length and being that they have an extractor groove ahead of the small diameter 44 Colt rim I use the shell plate for 45 ACP in my Dillon 550B press.

You might try this combination.

HHW

Cole Bluesteele · June 28, 2007, 06:44:29 PM

Thanks for the help. Got a pair in .38 plus a couple of pairs of RM's, plus 61 and 51 Navy's, but no experience with the .44 cartridges. Now I gotta find a pair with 7 1/2" barrels. Cimarron's out!

Flint · June 28, 2007, 06:58:02 PM

I never thought about it, I just shoot 44 Russian in both my 44 Special and 44 Colt Opentops. The rims fit in both. I never tooled up for 44 Colt, as I didn't want one more difficult to sort cartridge case in my brass bag. Since the 44 Colt will chamber and shoot in the 44 Special or Magnum chamber, why wouldn't the 44Russ/Spec/Mag shellplate work with it?

Fox Creek Kid · June 28, 2007, 07:43:02 PM

People, the case head diam. for .44 Colt is 0.483 and smaller than .44 Special, Magnum & Russian and cannot use the same shell holder.

Long Johns Wolf · June 29, 2007, 01:54:08 AM

.44 Colt is MY cartridge in CAS. Shell holder for .30-30 or .41 Magnum works for .44 Colt.
Bootsie

gw · June 29, 2007, 10:15:23 AM

My Dillon 550 works fine using a 45ACP shellplate to load 44 Colt. Yours may or maynot.

litl rooster · June 30, 2007, 03:55:10 AM

Quote from: gw on June 29, 2007, 10:15:23 AM
My Dillon 550 works fine using a 45ACP shellplate to load 44 Colt. Yours may or maynot.

and the .45L C will also work with .44wcf ,44 spl , .44 colt and .44 rus. at least on my Blue machine they will....If I was getting started I would probably elect for the .45acp shell plate. As couple of the others atated .30wcf and .41 will work, unless your planning to load these calibers I go with something that I get more use of.