Video - Loading black powder .44-40s on a Dillon 550B

Started by Bottom Dealin Mike, June 04, 2011, 12:34:25 PM

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Bottom Dealin Mike

When I talked to Dillon about their no B-P stance at SHOT a few years ago they told me it was only the powder measure they were worried about. The sent me a 450 powder die body to use on my 550B along with an adaptor collar so you can mount a Lyman 55 or a Hornady black powder Lock-N-Load measure on it.

That works well with Dillon die sets, but I decided to just use Lee dies for most of my 550B reloading...even smokeless

Steel Horse Bailey

Thanks for the info, Mike.  I have one of those collars but no longer have any other measures.  I actually fixed my Dillon measure to use a copper tube, rather than the plastic that I'm sure was their worrisome part.  I used it like that for years.  However, I wasn't able to find copper (or aluminum) in the exact size to replace the hopper directly;  it was a smaller diameter, so I added length and had it to where it would hold about a pound an a half of BP ... but that STILL only holds enough for about 325 rounds.  (I shoot 45 Colt and I put in a full - sans drop tube, case of powder.  I have been named the "Concussion King" at my club, because of the bang and the "Thor's Hammer" effect you mention.  Without the drop tube - for economy   ;) - I still get 33.5-37.5 grs. 3F in a case, depending on the batch of powder I'm using at the time, if I bother to weigh a charge.)  And BigLube PRS boolits keep everything running smoothly and accurately for any match.
"May Your Powder always be Dry and Black; Your Smoke always White; and Your Flames Always Light the Way to Eternal Shooting Fulfillment !"

Bottom Dealin Mike

Steel Horse, that is a manly load! God bless PRS bullets and Mav Dutchman bullets. Before they came along I needed compression dies and grease cookies to keep things running smooth. Those bullets really simplified black powder shooting.

Fox Creek Kid

Quote from: Bottom Dealin Mike on June 17, 2011, 05:37:22 PM...God bless PRS bullets and Mav Dutchman bullets. Before they came along I needed compression dies and grease cookies to keep things running smooth. Those bullets really simplified black powder shooting.

Boy, do I remember those days!!  :'(  I had to clean the bores on my revolvers and rifles at least once if not twice during a shoot.  ;) I was in on the very first batch of MAV moulds in 2002 or 2003 and it was then that I realized what prehistoric man must have felt when he harnessed fire.  ;D :D ;)

Steel Horse Bailey

Quote from: Bottom Dealin Mike on June 17, 2011, 05:37:22 PM
Steel Horse, that is a manly load! God bless PRS bullets and Mav Dutchman bullets. Before they came along I needed compression dies and grease cookies to keep things running smooth. Those bullets really simplified black powder shooting.


And don't fergit Dick D for collecting 'em all in one easy-to-buy place!


Quote from: Fox Creek Kid on June 17, 2011, 07:02:25 PM
Boy, do I remember those days!!  :'(  I had to clean the bores on my revolvers and rifles at least once if not twice during a shoot.  ;) I was in on the very first batch of MAV moulds in 2002 or 2003 and it was then that I realized what prehistoric man must have felt when he harnessed fire.  ;D :D ;)


Indeed!  Things are SOOOO much better now.  That campfire you harnessed sure is warm!

;)
"May Your Powder always be Dry and Black; Your Smoke always White; and Your Flames Always Light the Way to Eternal Shooting Fulfillment !"

Bottom Dealin Mike

John Lee gave me a PRS mold to test when they were making up the first batch. I liked it so much that I bought a Mav Dutchman mold off someone who got one in the first batch and decided they didn't really like casting.  ;D

Never got the Snakebite .38 because my .38s are real conversions and the cylinders can't fit a bullet longer than a 125-grainer. I use a Lee mold that puts a pretty big lube groove on the bullet.

Cuts Crooked

Quote from: Bottom Dealin Mike on June 18, 2011, 07:14:56 AM

Never got the Snakebite .38 because my .38s are real conversions and the cylinders can't fit a bullet longer than a 125-grainer. I use a Lee mold that puts a pretty big lube groove on the bullet.

Odd! I have a 72 Open Top, in 38 Special, and I shoot the Snakebite through it. However, my Open Top is an old ASM.

Perhaps I'm confused.......are your .38s chambered in .38 Colt instead of .38 Special?
Warthog
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Bottom Dealin Mike

My Open Tops are in .44 Special.

I have three 1851 Navy conversions built by Kenny Howell using ASM and Ubertu 1851 cap and ball pistols. The one Kenny built for me in the 1990s is a museum quality reproduction of a Colt factory conversion. It will chamber long .38 Spl bullets. The other two were built in the mid-oughts by Kenny using his new cylinders and conversion plates with the spring mounted firing pins.

They are nominally chambered for .38 Colt, but Kenny actually chambers them so you can use .38 Spl brass, but long bullets in the 158-grain class stick out of the end of the cylinders, but 125-grain bullets work just fine.

The guns are in my video on shooting Colt's Cartridge Conversion Revolvers.

Mako

Mike,
I just read your article in GOTOW and I have a question for you.  Why did you intentionally leave out the name of the manufacturer of the .44-40 die set and especially the Factory Crimp Die?  It was obvious...

The Factory Crimp die is the second most important thing that you should have mentioned.  You did mention replacing the expanding button which is probably the most important.  I consider the FCD the best thing I ever did, I can't remember the last time I ruined a .44WCF at crimping.  Well I can guess because it was before I started using it.

I know that writers have certain limits because of certain arrangements.  I've spent a lot of time around both Cameron Hopkins and Kirby Smith and know a bit about the sausage making...  If you can't answer on the forum just send me a PM.

Regards,
Mako
A brace of 1860s, a Yellowboy Saddle Rifle and a '78 Pattern Colt Scattergun
MCA, MCIA, MOAA, MCL, SMAS, ASME, SAME, BMES

Bottom Dealin Mike

Hi Mako,

Certainly my manuscript said the crimp die was from Lee Precision. If you understand the magazine business, you can probably figure out the rest yourself.

Mako

Quote from: Bottom Dealin Mike on September 02, 2011, 01:14:23 PM
Hi Mako,

Certainly my manuscript said the crimp die was from Lee Precision. If you understand the magazine business, you can probably figure out the rest yourself.

Hi Mike,
That's good to hear.  I actually expected as much.  Based on the other things you have written and especially the unedited reports we get here and on the other forums I figured it was the placement game.

The really funny thing is (or was) how many of the regulars who contributed to certain magazines were actually "noms de plume."   It was amusing to listen to discussions where someone would invoke the "wisdom" of an author who happened to be the person they were speaking to.  I literally spewed coffee once in restaurant when this happened.

Best to you, keep them coming,
Mako
A brace of 1860s, a Yellowboy Saddle Rifle and a '78 Pattern Colt Scattergun
MCA, MCIA, MOAA, MCL, SMAS, ASME, SAME, BMES

Bryan Austin

Quote from: Mako on September 02, 2011, 02:06:47 PM
Hi Mike,
That's good to hear.  I actually expected as much.  Based on the other things you have written and especially the unedited reports we get here and on the other forums I figured it was the placement game.

The really funny thing is (or was) how many of the regulars who contributed to certain magazines were actually "noms de plume."   It was amusing to listen to discussions where someone would invoke the "wisdom" of an author who happened to be the person they were speaking to.  I literally spewed coffee once in restaurant when this happened.

Best to you, keep them coming,
Mako


:o I never thought about it that way. Funny!
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