OAL

[44bigboy]

So I have some older reloads I would like to shoot...44 mag target loads, bullets are lead that are 1.68 and need to be 1.61 to cycle in the rifle. Can I just adjust the die to set the cartridge to the proper length? They are crimped, or do just set them aside for the revolver and reload some more? I have a bunch...

[BigAl52]

You can try it but I would do it in 2 steps adjust the length first then crimp it again in another step

[JEBar]

first, welcome to our forum, delighted to have you join us ... do hope you will feel free to read and post often .... have you physically tried to cycle one of more of your older loads .. .. I've never tried reseating a crimped lead bullet .... I'd suggest you give it a try to see if it can be done without bulging the case or gouging the bullet .... I have pulled lead bullets, they were certainly marred but I was able to reload them as practice ammo ....

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 54#p153354

[John E Davies]

How many rounds do you have? If only a few you can load them manually into the chamber and treat your lever gun like a single shot..... I personally would not shorten the OAL of a crimped lead round. I would pull the bullets, and if they looked reasonable I would just reload them into the brass after resizing and flaring them again.

But I use a Lee Factory Crimp Die, which not only crimps, but it also sizes the upper part of the case too. If you did a simple crimp, maybe shoving them deeper could work. But it seems like you would just damage the bullets.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[CT_Shooter]

So I have some older reloads I would like to shoot...44 mag target loads, bullets are lead that are 1.68 and need to be 1.61 to cycle in the rifle. Can I just adjust the die to set the cartridge to the proper length? They are crimped, or do just set them aside for the revolver and reload some more? I have a bunch...

Welcome to the forum from CT. I agree with John Davies; using those rounds in the Henry by loading them one at a time or pulling the bullets to reload again rather than forcing a crimped bullet deeper into the case. Please let us know what you do and how it worked out. Glad you joined us.

[44bigboy]

Thanks for the responses and welcome! I will try and see what happens not sure how many I have...dads old stuff and today I will check it out set up the loader and see what happens...I did try cycling them in my new rifle which is very nice btw...but they are just a touch to long...I did shoot them one at a time from that point. I have to find the micrometer in all the gear. I will let you guys know how it goes. Today's mission go through all the boxes I packed and organize setup etc...pellet stove is on!

[44bigboy]

Looks like I just have a little lead shaved but otherwise they look good.

[JEBar]

Looks like I just have a little lead shaved but otherwise they look good.

from seating the bullet deeper ..

[44bigboy]

from seating the bullet deeper ..
[/quote]

Yes .07 deeper so they will cycle. I have to clean each one but better than reloading them all...250 target loads that I want to shoot...amy new ones will be seated proper, these were sized for dads revolver.

[JEBar]

given .07 ain't much .... its good to hear it works ... thanks for sharing your experience

[44bigboy]

Well finally had a chance to sight my gun in and shoot in general...so some of the target loads were pretty inconsistent 240 grain with 8 grains 231...even the newer ones I loaded...the ones that actually were super consistent and able to use to sight the gun were the 180gr Hornady xtp's with 29 grains of powder. My thoughts are the powder is old so that could account for low shots? But the right and left flyers? I was thinking those were the re-set loads...but even the fresh ones I just made were not good either...so I have a bunch more lead bullets to size and load...and I need a sizing die what size should I use?