Thread: 44/40 reloads ( therapy needed )

Originally Posted by Frogfeatures

Ok, so I have a problem.
Actually, I have a few, but hopefully the one you guys can help with is my handloads.
Loaded up about 20-25 loads with different powder weights, using some previously fired
brass, that came with my Rossi.
All good, reloads went well, no probs. Multiple case types, incl Starline.
Treated myself to some new Starline brass, dies set exactly the same, crushed 2 cases, seating the projectiles.
WTF, the previously fired Starline brass loaded fine.
Loaded up another couple of previously fired cartridges ( after crushing the new ones) and they loaded fine
Doing my head in.
Why would the ‘old’ cases load fine, and the ‘new’ cases won’t ?

Starline brass is a little softer than some other brands and they harden up with working get a Lyman M die to expand the necks stand die sets don't properly
expand the 44/40 necks it was an originally a black power round load with lead bullets and needs to be treated as such, M dies are about $50.00 and well worth the money
the Lee expander is useless for the 44/40 and other original black powder cartridges.