444 Brass for Reloading

[Dawei]

From my limited experience we really have only two choices: the Remington® case & the Hornady® Light Magnum case. Hornady® LEVERevolution cases are approximately 5/16" shorter than the Light Magnum cases. Between the Remington® & Light Magnum cases is one any better than the other for reloading purposes? Does one have any greater 'capacity' or the other? Most of what I see in various reloading manuals cite the use of Remington cases. What does your experience show. I'd appreciate any light you folks could shed on this. Many thanks in advance.

[VTDW]

Dawei,

I use both the Remington (cheaper) and Hornady brass for reloading my 444's. I have no clue as to case capacity and now have 40 rounds of the 'shorter' :lol: stuff.

Dave

[Starrbow]

All of my brass is Remington, I'm still using some of the same cases I bought back in 1976/77 I have never even seen a Hornady 444 case, I guess I live a very sheltered life :lol: ................................................Ma rko

[WyoStillhunter]

Since I acquired my 444 last Spring, I have collected 150 cases. I only bought 50 Hornady cases as new brass. The rest came from factory ammo. I think I have 60 Rem. and 90 Hdy. cases. I see no difference in performance but I haven't really paid much attention. I certainly haven't collected any data to compare the two.

[Ranch Dog]

I keep track of my brass by assigning it to "lots" that I label. I have them arranged by caliber and then lot #. Some of my 444 brass has been used over 20X! Pretty hardy stuff. I working up new loads, I'm interested in the case capacity expressed in grains of H2O because from that you can look at the load density of the powder charge.

I determined the average case capacity (H2O grns) for a given lot of brass by weighing 10 empty cases. Then, I fill them level with water and weigh them again. What is interesting is the difference that you will see. My "444M REM-01" lot of ammo has a case capacity of 69.0-grains. My "444M HDY-01" lot has a capacity of 69.7-grains. I also take some other measurements but overall the Hornady brass is thinner and has a shallower web.

I've noticed some concern over the shorter brass used with the LE ammo. It's really not a big deal for reloading. You just won't be trimming it for quite a while.

[JLarsson]

I've noticed some concern over the shorter brass used with the LE ammo. It's really not a big deal for reloading. You just won't be trimming it for quite a while.

Doesn't it make a difference in OAL and distance off the lands if you're crimping in a crimp groove or cannalure?

[VTDW]

JLarsson

It will make a difference in where you crimp for sure but not in the COL. Boolits do not have to be crimped in the cannalure. Just use the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Dave

[JLarsson]

Good point, Dave. I have a Lee Factory Crimp Die for my .444 - the only FCD I own, in fact - but I'm not used to thinking about crimping "where convenient".