Thread: 44-40 Lee Size die issue for Pistol

I shoot and reload for 44-40 in a Rossi Puma 92. Started with borrowed Lyman dies now returned. Have my own Lee standard 3 die set I bought used. Perfectly fine for my rifle. However...

At Ted's in the weekend I picked up a nice Uberti Cattleman Pistol. Loading up some rounds to develop a load I started with used Starline brass from TM. Set the Lee dies per usual, I.e. contact shell holder for sizing die then add a half turn. When sizing/decapping I can see the rim is firm against the shell holder at full pressure.

When the sized case is inserted into the cylinder chamber, whether empty or loaded, it will not freely and completely insert. Yes I scrubbed the cylinder bores out. Yes a new unfired Starline case installs just fine and can easily be withdrawn with fingers. Same if new case is loaded.

The resized reloaded cases will stop the cylinder rotating when the first one comes up against the very slight shelf as it rotates into next but one position from the firing pin.

There is a gap the exact thickness of my thumbnail between the cylinder face and the case rim on the reloaded brass. No space at all with new unfired brass. If I press the reloaded brass in as firm as I can with fingers at the loading gate, it still jams the cylinder and requires a tap on the ejector rod to get out.

All of which suggests to me that the resizing die is not, for some reason, returning the fired cases to spec. There is no issue with chambering these loads in the Rossi.

So, maybe the Lee Die is a tad worn. Maybe it was out of spec from factory new. Any other views welcome.

If anyone around New Plymouth has a die I could run some brass thru to check please PM me.

Otherwise I guess I'm in for a replacement set. Bugger!