Reloaded 44 colts

[Athena Jake]

Well after reading and re-reading the figuring Power in a case by Driftwood Johnson and Goatlips essay on pan lubing I have managed to reload my first box of .44 Colt ammunition.

I used the 1.9 cc Lee dipper for this, underneath a 200 gr MAV from Springfield Slim (someday I promise I will cast my own too, already scoping out the tire shops in town)  It all fit with around a 1/8th inch compression to it.

My smokeless indoor rounds all worked this past few shoots so that it a good sign.
Trying to get my iron horse (aluminum really) up to par and save for a rifle at the same time, not really working out but it will come!

next reloading will be Magtech for the Stoeger.
Then I can learn 44-40 loading!

Heck having a ball and ain't even made REAL smoke and fire yet!

Just a note to say thank you for all the info, and I am learning a little bit as I go along.

[Dick Dastardly]

Those loads should do ya fine Jake.  Enjoy the smoke.  Yer in good company.

DD-DLoS

[Pony Racer]

1.9 sounds good

I use 1.6 in my 44 russian loads and unless i used a comprresor plug die - i can't fit another grain.

Gives a nice satisfying crunch when you seat the bullet.

PR

[Fox Creek Kid]

I use the 1.3 cc dipper for .44 Russian & 1.6 cc for .44 Colt. That "crunching" sound you're hearing Pony Racer is either FFg being turned into FFFg or FFFg into FFFFg which is not good. I put some .44 Russians on paper once whereas I had used the 1.6 cc dipper and the groups were erratic due to the powder grains being crushed & giving erratic ignition. However, YMMV. 

[Sod Buster]

I've been using 1.6cc for the 44 Colt.  I believe that is close to the original factory load.  Been having good results so far.

[Pony Racer]

Roger that FCK - I will shoot the russians this coming weekend and bring my 38 conversions just in case.

I have heard bp shooters say you want a good crunch and I have heard others like yourself say just the opposite.

Interestingly enough when I loaded 10 shells with 1.6cc of 3F APP there was no crunch (I just figured that was due to them being smaller grains).

The correcting crimping of BP shells has been the biggest difference I have seen with the performance of my 38 and 45lc loads.

I will let you know - but with a good crimp if the 2f has been turned into 3f it should shoot similar.

Finding out will be half the fun.

PR

[Athena Jake]

Looking at Lee's Dipper information I get this:
BLACK_FFG     1.3      1.6      1.9
Grains             19.1     23.5    27.9

Mike Venturinos suggests the following loads:
(From "Shooting Colt Single Actions")
44 Russian 250 grain Lyman 429383 bullet on 20 grains Goex ffg (page 129)
44 Special 250 grain Lyman 429383 bullet on 24 grains Goex ffg (page 129)
44 Colt (modern) 200 grain Lyman 427098 bullets over 26 grains Goex ffg (page 167)
44 Colt (original) 213 grain Rapine 451210 heeled bullet over 27 grains Goex FFg
Looking at a photo of old UMC box of 44 Russian rounds I see a 250 grain lead bullet and 23 grains of powder.

The numbers for the various dippers match up with what has been suggested here and from my meager amount of research.
I can see why it would be a good idea as far as precision goes to find or cut down cases to appropriate volumes for more control over the loads.

I was please to find out my scale and I agree with the Lee Dipper Chart for volume and weight, and a little worried I am 1.9 grain above what Mr. Venturino suggests should be in there.

Won't load any more that hot!

Looks like my bullet of choice will be 200 grain 44 MAVs though for everything!

Thank you all again for the information, And yes DD, I do plan to eventually start casting my own, can't be any harder than casting pewter at least I don't have to make the dratted molds!  And casting out doors that whole nasty lead fume problem.  Until then Springfield will get orders!

[Dick Dastardly]

My ol face has a grin on it.

Some years back I stopped by to see ol Mav Dutchman his self.  Per his description, he's situated "hard by the side of the road" in Calhoon LA.  I bought my own Mav Dutchman mold from his very hands.  I also invited ol Mav to write the history of development of his fine black powder bullet creation in his own hand.  This document accompanies each Mav Dutchman Big Lube™ mold I sell.

It's an honor and a privilege to pass along these fine mold designs to shooters that want to simply "shoot often and shoot good".

I've got another batch of Mav Dutchman molds on order and paid for now.

DD-DLoS