ORIGINAL: the Razorhead
ORIGINAL: bigcountry
ORIGINAL: the Razorhead
best if you want to load 44 Spl rounds to use a 44 Spl case..
you can actually trim your magnum cases back to the specs for a Spl case... and I would do so. Maybe mark them with a magic marker across the headstamp or a file mark in the very lip of the rim..
reason being is case volume.
the extra volume in a magnum case will actually affect the ignition characteristics of lower weight charges of fast powders, and screw with the burn rates, causing at best, inconsistent loads, and at worse, dangerous pressures as already pointed out.
as far as powder goes, Unique gets my vote..
You would litterly wear out trimmer blades even attempting to cut down any number of 44mags to 44 spec. You know how I know? First round ever relaoded for. And first thing I tried is cutting them down. RCBS sent me another set of trimmer blades after i wore them out.
that's what trimmer dies and a hacksaw are for... lop the end of the case off, trim it square, deburr it and load it.
I guess different strokes for different folks. I got better things to do with my time than ruining good brass, just for the sake of saying you made 44spl brass. Especially when their is several great low recoil loads for the 44mag.