Loading .44 Colt on a Dillon 550

R.M. Conversion · January 22, 2020, 09:39:12 PM

Has anyone else found that the shellplate - #20136 - that is listed for .44 Mag, Spl, Colt and Russian is actually too big for the Colt cartridge?

It bounces out on the primer upstroke, gouging the rim pretty good too. Colt rims are smaller than Mag rims.

I'll ask Dillon about a fix, but if they had a solution, I would think they advertise it as such. Anyone know a workaround?

Abilene · January 22, 2020, 10:00:14 PM

The "Colt" that works with that shellplate is 45 Colt. There's no way they should specify it for 44 Colt because that one has a smaller rim. If they did it was a mistake (and as I look at their website, they did do it). All the others you named are the same rim. I've heard of .41 mag (I think) as being the proper shellpate.

AntiqueSledMan · January 23, 2020, 04:57:21 AM

Hello Abilene,

I believe you will have to use the on for 41 Mag.
I use a LEE #9 on my single stage press.

AntiqueSledMan.

Drydock · January 23, 2020, 08:20:48 AM

Starline specifies a .41 mag shellplate for this brass.

R.M. Conversion · January 23, 2020, 08:40:42 AM

Perfect, I'll try the .41 Mag plate. Thanks.

Abilene · January 23, 2020, 10:31:28 AM

Tell Dillon you bought the caliber conversion to load .44 Colt since they specified that one, maybe they will send you the shellplate for free (Also ask if the 41 mag uses the same locator buttons).

Drydock · January 23, 2020, 05:42:04 PM

One additional comment: I do not have a 550, however, I have loaded .44 Colt on a SDB. On that machine I used the .44 spl shellplate, but I used .45acp retention buttons to hold the case in tight. On all my other equipment (Mostly Lee) I use a .41 mag shellplate for this caliber.

Crow Choker · January 23, 2020, 06:12:34 PM

Quote from: AntiqueSledMan on January 23, 2020, 04:57:21 AM
Hello Abilene,

I believe you will have to use the on for 41 Mag.
I use a LEE #9 on my single stage press.

AntiqueSledMan.

I'm aware of OP is asking for shell plate for a Dillon, but as AntiqueSM posted, I've used a Lee #9 for 44 Colt, also used on a single stage (RCBS Rock Chucker). Lee charts specify the #9 to be used with the 41 Mag. When I first started reloading 44 Colt (Starline brass), I heard that a shell holder for 41 Mag fit. Bought a RCBS #30 which RCBS specifies for the 41. Way to tight-I don't have a 41 mag brass to see if it does fit, maybe it isn't up to specs-don't know. Has been sitting in my die drawer for 13 years. After I started reloading for 30/06, 250 Savage, and 300 Savage, I've found that a RCBS #3 works also for the 44 Colt, in fact its a little tighter fit than the Lee #9 and use it instead of the Lee #9. The RCBS #18 which I use for 44 Special and 44 Mag has to much slop in in for the smaller 44 Colt rim. Believe the 44 Russian takes the same shellholder as the 44 Spec and Magnum. Posted so anyone thinking about reloading 44 Colt on a single stage press would have some idea on a shell holder as none of the main manufacturers list the 44 Colt in their charts.

R.M. Conversion · February 02, 2020, 10:55:28 PM

Got the .41 Shellpate from Dillon. Doesn't work, since the 'cutout' for the body of the cartridge cast is too small. You can use the .44 Mag shellplate if youg tighten it down pretty good, and don't use a lot of force seating primers.

Drydock · February 03, 2020, 05:08:45 PM

A little work with a Dremel might fix that. Also experiment with the .44 shellplate and larger locator buttons.