Author Topic: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?  (Read 875 times)

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Offline gunther66

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Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« on: June 23, 2011, 05:08:16 PM »
Recently reamed a 44 mag H & R to supermag. Tried H110 powder,but got pressure signs with starting loads and 2000+ fps.
Anyone had experience with loading this? On Hodgdon's  burn rate charts H110 is #62. Anyone tried 2400 or RL-7 or H 322?They fall on both sides of H110's burning rate.

I am looking for very mild or starting loads Here,not super thumpers at this point. Thanks for any input.  G66
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Offline oneoldsap

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2011, 10:39:30 AM »
       They are a long ways from common that's for sure ! I had a Dan Wesson Revolver chambered in it 25+ years ago . I checked my records and found that I jettisoned that info a while ago and don't remember what I loaded in it for Metalic Silhouettes ! I do still have some W-296 and some 2400 left on the shelf but I still load the .44 Mag and .357 . That old 445SM used to ring the Steel pretty good , it had a 10" Barrel . I remember that 100+ rounds in a day was hard on the Wrist the following day ! Components specific to that Gun went with it when I got rid of it  .

Offline spinafish

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2011, 01:39:58 PM »
the most heartwreching words any man will ever hear
"depart from me, I never knew you"  Jesus
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Offline crossfire

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2011, 06:50:50 PM »
33.8-37.5gr AA-1680 with a Sierra 240gr JHC....I used 37.0gr
28.8-32.0gr AA-1680 with a Sierra 300gr JSP.....I used 31.0gr
this is in an M7445-10HV.....sold the revolver because I simply got tired of the recoil. Wish I hadn't now with the prices the way they are.
BTW, Starline stopped making the brass, but it can be made from .303 British or .30-40 Krag. A .44 caliber case made from cutting the .30-40 Krag off at the shoulder for a 1.75" case length is called the .44 Rhino. Despite claims to the contrary, brass cannot be made from the .444 Marlin. The .444 is .470" above the rim, the .445 is .458".

(Data is from Accurate Arms #2, pg. 136.)

Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2011, 05:20:32 AM »
Starline still makes 445SM brass seasonally. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=941109164

Here ya go G66, probably gonna have to buy some AA powder tho.  ;)

Tim
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Offline gunther66

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2011, 08:25:05 AM »
Thanks Tim and everyone. Yes ,I'll have to break down and buy more powder to go with the 15 different ones in the powder magazine.Ain't I lucky!
"There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse"  Ronald Regan

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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2011, 09:08:03 AM »
Heh heh, I have well over 40 different powders, so I guess you gotta start workin on some more!!  :o

Tim
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline crossfire

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2011, 11:14:26 AM »
Starline doesn't make seasonal runs, but only when sufficient backorders justify another production run. This could be years. For instance, .360 Dan Wesson brass has "been waiting sufficient backorders" since 2008 and .414 SuperMag brass may never be in production again. Midway, and others, still have it but when it runs out, it could be gone for a while.
http://www.starlinebrass.com/index.php?cPath=1&osCsid=1aeb1f9517a1587c83ab174fa9b2eadf

Offline gunther66

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2011, 11:51:35 AM »
Tim.How long have you been reloading to accumulate that many different powders?I have reloaded since 1972, But have carefully chosen my powders to hopefully cover most of the spectrum of burning rates except the very slow ones. Seems the  difficulty with the 445SM is how finicky it is  and how narrow the burning rates it likes.
Loaded up a few with the old standby Unique and they shoot pretty good but know they are slow because of the BANG! then...thump.   G66
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2011, 01:17:00 PM »
Just 6yrs, that's why you need to do some catchin up!!  ;D Did ya load up some RL7 yet? It works good in the 45 Colt rifle, so it may very well work in the 445, much better that QL indicates that it would.   ;)

Tim

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm
"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" -  Mark Twain

Offline gunther66

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2011, 01:39:35 PM »
That's tonite's project.I'll let you know.Finally rained here today after almost no rain all spring so I can't fuss that I'm unable to make it to the range.  G66
"There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse"  Ronald Regan

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Offline jays375

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2011, 04:01:33 PM »
The best powders are discontinued.In a Thompson it really liked  Winchester 680.I used H4227 and it liked that too,then that was discontinued.One thing to watch out for are bullet weights.For dear you might want to find some 300gr bullets.Reason for this is the 44 bullets available were ment for the 44 mag,not the 445.It will make a nasty fleash wound with lighter bullets.I still have a  good amount of H4227 so I have tried anything else yet.My Thompson likes max loads also and is really accurate.

Offline WSM264

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2011, 05:21:47 PM »
The 445 is designed for heavy 44 bullets at moderate speeds.  I load 320gr cast bullets in mine.  I use AA1680 in a 6" and 10" Dan Wesson.  In a rifle you may try 4198 and RL-7.  Avoid the temptation to make a 200gr go at the speed of light!!  240gr would be the lightest bullet I would use. 
I seat my bullets out to be .015" short of the length of the cylinder.  If your rifle is not throated for this you will have to seat them deeper.  REDUCE the charge if you seat them deeper. I also use the Lee heavy carbide crimper die as a last step. IMO it is a better crimp and the carbide ring in the die makes sure that it will chamber (no crimp bulge).  You won't have a problem with a single shot, but I use mine for bear protection.  The last thing I need is for a bullet to jump the crimp and lock up the cylinder when a griz is about to chew on me!!.
I use a Lyman mold = says 300gr GC but it throws them at about 322gr.
34.5 or 35gr of AA 1680
Fed LP Mag primer (#155)
OAL = 2.110"-2.116"
 
For jacketed bullets try Sierra's 300gr SP.  It worked well for me, but casting is heavier and cheaper!
I tried the 30-40 Krag brass trimmed and 444 Marlin brass (thinned at the web) methods of making brass before it was available.  Both failed.  I think I have 10-12 pcs of the 444 left, but all the 30-40 split after 2-3 firings. When you buy it - get a lifetime supply.
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Offline gypsyman

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Re: Is 445 supermag a rare bird?
« Reply #13 on: July 19, 2011, 04:29:17 AM »
Not as often as I like, but I still get out and shoot my DW in .445. Most bullets are either 280gr. or 320gr. If you look in the lyman cast bullet manual, you can find loads for the .445. gypsyman
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