Anyone have experience reloading 44mags for a Ruger Semi- auto carbine?

John L

John L

Well-known member
I have been thinking about picking up a reloading kit for my 44 mag.
When I went on Lee's site and looked at the Lee loader kit there is a note that says "not for semi-auto or lever actions" but when I look at the breech lock hand press kit it does not mention this. Can anyone shed some light on this? I have been trying to call them for a few hours and keep getting a busy signal.

Please enlighten me as to what would be the cheapest way to start reloading 44 mags for a Ruger Carbine. I don't have the room to dedicate for a full sized press nor do I want to invest the funds for one. I'm trying to keep it simple.

Thanks in advance
 
From the lee web site;

Please note: the Classic Lee Loader neck sizes only. This is not recommended for semi, pump and lever action guns.
Click to expand...


John,

I am sure it has to do with the case diameter of a fired case. You may experience trouble inserting the cartridge into the gun chamber unless it has been "full length" resized.

I load for a handgun and all my reloads are resized the full length of the case. My "hotter" loads will definately stretch the case diameter. :>)
 
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Thanks Dave, that's what I thought but I wasn't sure.
I don't burn through a lot of 44 mag rounds with this gun but with the price of ammo I have been thinking about getting into reloading. I have plenty of empty brass so that has me thinking it may be time to start reloading if I can do it and and save money.
 
It may be about how the bullet is crimped in place and being in a tube magazine. The Lee Loading kits work fine but they are not for cranking out many reloads. Was a lot of fun when I was young to pound out shotgun shells, pistol, or rifle rounds.
 
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I'm not looking to crank out a lot of rounds. Just looking to get into some light re-loading and save a few bucks if possible.
 
Don't reload lead bullets for this gun. It's not fun taking apart the gas valve. As long as they are plated or jacketed you are OK. For some reason this gun just will not handle the lead bullets. I shoot lead in everything I own. The Ruger just will not do it. You will get about 50 rounds and then it will start to not eject.
 
John,I work out of town alot building powerline and at night I have alot of idle time in the motel or camper.A few years ago I bought Lee's hand press,zip trim,case trimmers,primer pocket tool,chamfer tool and dies for 308 and 6.8 rifle rounds.It all fits in a little tool box that I take with me.Once I got a routine down I could reload pretty fast for the simple equipment I own.After doing it for awhile I have gotten very fast.As far as saving money I bought alot of supplies a few years ago so I am saving now for sure.Hell I cant even find ammo now.Lee has been great help when I have needed it and my investment is very little.I have used the classic lee loader and the hand press is much faster than it but not as nice as a bench mount of course but very portable.I don't know if it will work for you're gun.I am very happy with my purchase.
 
John,
I have loaded for revolver with no problems,tried the same load in the ruger and found the overall length was the feed problem. Can't speak to ejection problems with lead bullets but a hard cast lead bullet under 1200 fps should not lead. Invest in a good single stage press and you can load about any caliber by changing dies,not fast but sure.
A Lyman reloading handbook is a great aid,answers about all your questions. Hope this helps.
Bill.
 
Hardness of a lead bullet is way overrated. Most all commercial cast bullets are way too hard. Fit to the throats are most of what you need. The problem with the lead is it shaves off in the gas port. It is not the speed or the hardness. Just something that this Ruger has a problem with.

The gun is designed for a 240gr jacketed bullet.
 
A safety note that you all probably already know: The Ruger has a tubular magazine so when your selecting your bullet to load stay away from jacketed round nose bullets. Stick with the hollow points or flat points.

Scott
 
Thank for all the input.

I have had this gun for 30 years and when I was first shooting it I tried several different round configurations. My experience also confirms that a 240gr SJHP is by far the best round for this gun. It is my go to gun for hunting in heavy brush when I need stopping power to take down big game. It will cut right through brush and stay on target dropping big game stone dead. Not to mention It is a very light weight firearm to carry on those long hikes bushwacking through the thick stuff.

I guess at this point I'll try to get some reloading supplies together and give it a go. I don't go through that many rounds so I'm not concerned about cranking out high volumes of ammo.
 
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