How to turn a 44 Mag into a 45 ACP!

[jtcarm]

You mean Czarist rounds, right? Round was developed about 1870.

There were probably a few in the Czar and his family when they were buried [emoji17]

[Crazy Dane]

LtoR 215 RNFP, 240 RNFP, 240 SWC, .44 Special 240 SWC, .44 magnum 240 SWC. All 3 of the Russian is loaded with 4gr of Titegroup. The book says those should be between 800 and 900 fps.

I shot the Russians yesterday for accuracy. Sorry I didn't take pics. I still haven't replaced my chronograph yet so I don't have any speed numbers. I shot 10 rounds each and the RNFPs were extremely accurate. I had one flyer, like 5 inches flyer, with the 215s, all the rest went into a 2 inch hole. The SWCs on the other hand were so bad you couldn't even call what happened a pattern. They also leaded really bad and left a lot of powder residue. I'm thinking not enough pressure on the SWCs.

Recoil was mild with all three loads and will be ordering more of the round nose bullets.

[revchuck38]

I shot the Russians yesterday for accuracy. Sorry I didn't take pics. I still haven't replaced my chronograph yet so I don't have any speed numbers. I shot 10 rounds each and the RNFPs were extremely accurate. I had one flyer, like 5 inches flyer, with the 215s, all the rest went into a 2 inch hole. The SWCs on the other hand were so bad you couldn't even call what happened a pattern. They also leaded really bad and left a lot of powder residue. I'm thinking not enough pressure on the SWCs.

Recoil was mild with all three loads and will be ordering more of the round nose bullets.

If they're leading really badly, my guess would be undersized bullets before insufficient pressure. Have you tried the drop-through test? Drop the bullets from the rear of the chamber and let them fall into the throat. If they stick in the throat and can be pushed through (using a pencil, dowel, or something similar) with moderate pressure, they're about the right size. If they fall right through the throat, they're too small.

[Crazy Dane]

If they're leading really badly, my guess would be undersized bullets before insufficient pressure. Have you tried the drop-through test? Drop the bullets from the rear of the chamber and let them fall into the throat. If they stick in the throat and can be pushed through (using a pencil, dowel, or something similar) with moderate pressure, they're about the right size. If they fall right through the throat, they're too small.

They are .431 bullets are tight to pass through. They shot extremely well with 10gr of Unique in magnum cases. The unburnt powder and excess residue make me think not enough pressure, The 240 RNFP (uncoated bullet in the pics.) next to the 240 SWC shows there is less bullet in the case with the SWCs, more nose less base, is why I'm thinking pressure problems also. The SWCs are 18 BRN and the RN are 15 BRN may be an issue too.

[RevolverJIM]

I was out on a nice long run today. Looking out across some pastures I was fantasizing about shooting our tasty snowshoe hares with a scoped 6" 686.

I dont own a scoped 686

I do own one but you can't have it!!

[RevolverJIM]

Or "The little Communist that Could!"


Before the .44 mag, the was the Special. Most know that, but before that, there was the Russian.

Without going into a bunch of details that anyone can look up on Wiki or wherever, the Russian is a fantastic way to make .44 Mags (or .44 Specials) into very fun target/plinking guns. It is about like sticking a 230 grain .45 ACP into the cylinder. Very close ballistics wise, to the point that only the self appointed SME/nit pickers would bother to start in with the "Well akshully" BS.

A side by side of some 230 grain round nose 45 ACPs and 240 grain round nose 44 Russians:





Compared to Special and Magnum:

Have you developed any .45ACP level loads with .44 Special or .44 Mag brass?

Thanks,
Jim

[RevolverJIM]

From Lyman #40:

.44 Russian:
#429106 (175-grain RNL) 3.0 grains Bullseye/800 fps; 7.0 grains Unique/1100 fps
#429251 (253-grain RNL) 3.0 grains Bullseye/630 fps; 6.0 grains Unique/800 fps

.44 Special:
#429348 (175-grain WC) 6.8 grains Bullseye/1055 fps; 10.3 grains Unique/1170 fps
#429421 (245-grain SWC) 4.9 grains Bullseye/805 fps; 7.8 grains Unique/970 fps

Some additional data from Lyman #44: Colt SAA 5 1/2"
#429421 Accuracy load: 4.0 B'eye/689 FPS B'eye Starting load 3.0/565 FPS Top load: 5.0/792 FPS
#429421 Unique starting load: 5.0/665 FPS Top load: 8.0/1000 FPS

[Borderland]

I don't need to be reading this stuff. It's a lot like porn. I've already got some 38 Short Colt ammo to test. I don't own a 44 anything, concentrating on a .357 for my N frame purchase this year. I just realized that 2023 is just a few days away.

I have a 45 ACP revolver but I would rather have a 44 something or other that actually shoots a revolver cartridge and step back into the future.

Can a 44 mag/spl. RCBS die set load the 44 Russian. Probably not but I had to ask. I have 10 lbs of powder that will work and mucho primers.

I see Starline has brass. Finger on the pulse so to speak.

[RevolverJIM]

https://www.rcbs.com/dies-and-shell-...rule=undefined

[Borderland]

One of the things I like about Magnum revolvers is you can go from bunny/grouse killin’ rounds to elk killin’ rounds in seconds.

Shoots rats also.