Bought reloading components for the 44 magnum

OK guys. I've been trying to figure out this reloading thing and it sure isn't easy. I bought a book from Cabela's 'One Book / One Caliber 'The Complete Reloading Manual for the .44 Magnum'. The bullet powder combinations in this book do not match the charts on the manufacturer's web sites I've been checking. I'm guessing that the info in the book is correct but the new info is more up to date and possibly has more refined component combinations.

I checked online at MidWay USA as Mike suggested and a bunch of other places that Dirk pointed me to, but I was amazed to see that most places required that I back order at least one or two things that I needed. Since it's Sunday, I had a day late Valentine dinner with my wife at a nice Italian Restaurant, then hit the local gun shop. I was hoping to find Accurate No. 7, but they only had No. 9. According to the charts, that's a bit slower burning than 7 so I think it should be OK. The manual matched that Powder up with a Hornady 200 grain bullet, though I was hoping to use the 180. They even had the Winchester WLP primers that I needed, plus a bag of 100 Winchester shell casings. So I emailed my friend Kevin who's very knowledgeable about big caliber handgun reloading, and I'm hoping to hear from him to see if I did good or he says that I'll blow myself up. Dirk has been very helpful as well, and I'll be turning to him for suggestions when I begin loading for my 38 Special.

With this combination, the chart says that I'll achieve 1600 FPS w/19.7 gr., 1700 FPS w/21.1 gr, 1800 FPS w/22.5 gr and 1900 FPS w/23.9 gr, which is the maximum load. I'll start with the 19.7 unless Kevin tells me differently. There sure is a lot to learn, but I think once I get it down it will be a lot of fun. I'll let you know what Kevin says.

This is what it cost. If you buy it online it will be cheaper, but you'll end up paying a hazardous material shipping fee of around $20 plus shipping which might make it more costly in the end.

Powder: Accurate No. 9 (1 lb): $19.99
Primers: Winchester WLP (box of 100): $3.19
Bullets: Hornady 200 grain HP/XTP: (box of 100): $22.99
Shell Casings: Winchester brass (bag of 100): $29.99
Total: $76.16
Divide that by 2 and that's $38.08/50 round box. That's really expensive if you ask me and you could buy 2 boxes of good factory ammo for the same price or less. This is OK to learn with, but in time it will be necessary to locate bullet deals online or start making my own like Dirk does. The casings should last a long time, so that won't be an issue. 1 lb of powder = 7,000 grains according to a conversion chart, so I should be able to get 335 cartridges from one $20 bottle. So the key will be to locate a cheap bullet supply.

Email response from Kevin:

"You should be just fine. The difference you'll see between the pistol and the rifle chart is that you'll have higher velocities from the rifle...longer barrel. If the chart is saying 1600fps for the pistol, you should be around 1900/2000 for your rifle...twist rate, temp, etc...variances. Just make sure you have a real good crimp on the round. If your reload kit didn't have the crimp die then you should order one. ...also, note: I would be carefull of any full nosed rounds in your rifle as they are stacked in the tube magazine....drop it hard and you never know if one will hit a primer hard enough...and NO BALLISTIC TIPS! most 44 rounds are flat so stay with that or jacketed hollow points. The first few times make sure you double check your load weights and calculate the grain volume to make sure your scale is working.

When you seat the primers...DO NOT LOOK DOWN AT THEM! hold them at an angle away from you. ...remember, primers are manufactured and packed wet...because they can detonate easily.....saftey glasses, eye glasses ...all the time! Not trying to scare you...just trying to keep both eyes working! Have fun. -K"

"..I've never used leather gloves...too bulky...might spill or drop something. It's not a problem from the cap side, it's just hazardous from the primed side. you should be fine without gloves.... safety glasses are a good idea though. Just a response from your blog..... you'll start to see the cost savings after you reload a couple full sets. If you've got good brass and you watch for problems...you should be able to get 10 reloads through...so around 1000 reloads from one set of brass... that will really drop your per round cost. I saw savings real quick because my 454 costs almost $1 a shot.... I'm reloading at around 20 cents a shot right now. After you shoot...take a good look at the primers and make sure they haven't moved... then check for cracks in the cases. both negative...shell is good for another round. if the primer has moved out, then the round was over preassure...double check that case to make sure it's good. (my hot 454 rounds have yet to move a primer...). Primers... you can also use small rifle primers for a quick burn. (that's what I use on my 454). Have fun and count your fingers each time..... -K"

Email response from Dirk:

"You did good. No. 9, Accurate's slowest handgun propellant, No. 9 is the best .44 magnum powder available. This double base, ball propellant gives excellent velocities for the pressures generated, and with less flash than comparable powders. It is intended for use in large capacity handgun cartridges (357, 41, 44 magnum, and 454 Casull). No. 9 is also suited to some small rifle cases (25/20, .30 Carbine) and the .410 shotgun. No. 9 performs best with heavier bullets in most cartridges. A heavy bullet pull is required for consistent performance when using lighter bullets."

"the way lee designs their scoops even if you heap the thing you wont go over max. If you come across the Book Modern Reloading second edition get it it is excellent reading."

"that should give you 19.8 grains for a level scoop depending on your scooping technique"

Thanks very much guys!!