Neck sizing the .444

[stickbow95]

How many of you gents, or ladies, neck size your .444 brass, or have tried it? What are your thoughts?

I recently started using a carbide .44 Mag sizing die to size only the portion of the case that contacts my boolit. It seems to work well. Is it really worth it, other than eliminating the need to lube?

Ben

[Flat Top]

In my "shouldered' cases I fire form and neck size only. In my straight wall cases I full length size. Any cartridge that will be used (or think that you may have to use) for dangerous game should be full length sized and also run through the cycling process in the weapon to insure "absolute reliability". Neck sizing only in the 444 "may" gain you a bit of powder capacity, but, it is minimal at best...no great increases in power. You may also gain better accuracy with the fire formed and neck sized only case, but there is no guarantee of that as well.....matter of fact, by sizing the neck only with no support of the rest of the cartridge body, you may throw the concentricity of the case out of whack and ruin accuracy (bullet to bore alignment).
But, dont listen to me...try it and if you see a benefit...go for it.

[stickbow95]

I wouldn't consider doing it to my hunting ammo. I figured I'd try it with my light plinking stuff. It seems to work OK. However I didn't think about the concentricity issue. There is a noticeable difference between the sized portion and the rest of the case. I can see how there could be alignment issues.

My main reason for this whole recent idea was to save lubing the cases for my range fodder.

On a side note, where can I find info on your Safari Grade project? I find the concept to be very intriguing.

[Flat Top]

What kind of info are you looking for stickbow95?

[stickbow95]

Looking for what kind of modifications are used to chamber the longer COAL, as well as the feeding of the longer cartridge.

I really like the idea of a .444 purpose built to get the most from a 400gr projectile.

Likely I'll never jump into such a thing. But you never know...

[Whip]

I set the die up to just size about 1/2 the case. I have no trouble chambering my rounds. I have loaded them 4 or 5 times so far. I think It keeps from over working the brass.

[Flat Top]

The modifications require machine equipment, TIG welding expertise, etc. Every part of the action is modified, and the chamber is modified as well. It is not a "kitchen table" modification for sure. Secondly, I "legally" cannot give out the specifics of the modification, because in part it is "owned" by a second party, and myself. I will tell you one thing though....when you drop the hammer on a lever gun that will produce 4200+ ft lbs, you know that you will "own" anything within its range.

[Flat Top]

Whip; do you have any accuracy comparisons that you could share? I think the issue with neck sizing only would have a negative effect firing top end loads many times over. After a while the case will start to get brittle (lose its elasticity) and not want to "release" from the chamber. Thats why I suggested they not be used for LDG. Otherwise, I would see no problem.....it would be interesting for someone that does this to run a documented test and report.

I will tell you that the Remington cases that I used for test purposes in my Safari Grade 444 were fired 45 times....full length resized....and they just started to stick on the 45th round of firings. Never had any seperations, split necks, or loose primer pockets, and never annealed the cases. I think thats pretty good for top end loads producing 4000+ ft lbs. The cases that I would use for anything serious are once fired, cleaned up, loaded, and stored. My older cases I use for practice and fun shooting...............till they finally give up.

[Dawei]

I ALWAYS full length resize my 444 Marlin handloads. I do this because I am using the ammunition in multiple rifles. I only neck resize for my bolt action rifles. To ensure absolute chambering I full length resize my reloads in all my lever, pump, and semi auto centerfire rifles.

[444Hal]

You can always tell the guy that's a "pre-Marlinitis".
He always asking the neck sizing questions 'cause he still has only one gun for each caliber.

Outside of my lone 308win, I have to full length everything, cause I never know where the brass is gonna end up till I sit down at the bench.