Richards Transition model

[Johnny McCrae]

Yesterday I purchased a new Cimarron Richards Transition Model in .44 colt with an 8" barrel. I'll get it after the waiting period.

I will load my own cartridges so I did some research as far as what I will need. I use a Lee Classic Turret press and will plan to use Lee .44 Russian Dies. I will use Starline .44 Colt brass with large pistol primers. I will  use a .44 Caliber 200 grain bullet sized at .430". For powder I will start out with 3.0 grains of Trail Boss as per the Hodgdon website. The 3.0 grains sounds light but that's what the website specifies. I use 3.0 in my .38 Special rounds and 5.7 in my .44-40 WCF rounds.

Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I'm not going to buy and reloading dies or components for at least a couple of weeks. I'm going to have my gunsmith go over this gun before I shoot it.

Please excuse the lousy cell phone picture.

Also posted on STORM

[Dr. Bob]

Envy! Envy!  Drool!  Drool!   Way to go Johnny!!

[Mako]

Johnny,
You probably already know this but you can also use .44 Russian in that pistol.  I have a pair of them in .44 Spl, that way I can use any of the three .44 straight wall cartridges.  .44 Spl brass is the easiest to find and I use it in my rifles because it is also the least expensive (I tend to only come home with 70% of my rifle brass), I have one of those carriers that allows me to shoot .44 Russian but I took it out because I lose too much .44 Russian Brass.

The cylinder is larger on the Uberti Transition Model than the original .44 Army, it is actually large enough to accept the .45 Colt rim diameter.  So you don't need the smaller diameter rim of the .44 Colt brass.  You might even check your chambers and see if they will accept .44 Spl loaded rounds, a lot of the Ubertis will.  I just mention that because you will have to order that .44 Colt brass and sometimes it's nice to be able to use what is on hand.  You can also buy .44 spl once shot brass, .44 Russian is rare as once shot and I have never seen .44 Colt used brass for sale.  I do use .44 Colt in a conversion I have since it requires the smaller rim diameter, and I have successfully shot .44 Colt in my '66 Carbine chambered in .44 Spl.

I'm sorry I don't have any specific smokeless reloading information for you, I can give you loading data for .44 Russian, .44 Colt or .44Spl in Black Powder loadings.   

We do use Trail Boss in my two daughter's .38 spl loads at 4.0 grains.  I also know the case capacity of a .38 Spl and .45ACP are almost identical and a .44 Russian is almost identical to a .45 ACP.  The .44 Spl case is about 25% larger than the .44 Russian and the .44 Colt will fall between the two, so call it 15% larger than the .38 spl.  Since IMR (Hodgdon) is very conservative with their loading data and since you use a lighter powder charge with a heavier bullet the same powder weight doesn't surprise me. 

You may find the lighter charges may not be as accurate as a medium or even a higher velocity load.  But since we are shooting at CAS ranges the accuracy I'm talking about doesn't really apply.  Make sure you are getting your primers pushed back into the pockets upon firing.  I don't think you will have this problem with a 200 grain bullet, but you might.  3.0 grains only develops 4,800 CUP.  Primers actually set back in almost all revolver loads the recoiling case pushes them back into the primer pocket as it sets back to the breech face.  Some loads are too light and the primer doesn't get fully reseated, when this happens it tends to bind the cylinder and prevents it from turning freely.  So watch your primers with those lighter loads.

Congratulations you will have fun with that pistol.

~Mako

[Johnny McCrae]

Howdy Dr. Bob,
Thanks for the kinds words. I went to a local gun store just for some lead bullets and this pistol was in the showcase. I could not resist buying it. It will be used for "Working Cowboy".


Howdy Mako,
Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

Starline is sending me a few samples of their .44 Colt, .44 Special and .44 Russian brass. I talked with Lee Precision and they said that their .44 Special dies will not work on .44 Colt cartridges. I did read where the Lee .44 Russian dies will work on .44 Colt cartridges. I will be able to load .44 Russian also then.

The 3.0 grains of Trail boss for .44 Colt is Hodgdon's starting load for .44 Colt. I'll try this for starters and adjust as needed.

Your point on the primers is well taken. I will watch the primers  closely with the llight starting loads. I prime off press with a RCBS hand priming unit.

I greatly appreciate your help.

[River City John]

Johnny,
some people have all the luck. Folks will be saying, "Now there's a fine looking, well-heeled Shootist!"
Here's hoping that it proves to be a sleeper.
RCJ