Dies for FA 97 in 44 Special

[alanf]

What dies do you use to load for your FA 97 in 44 Special?  I understand they have tight chambers.

[magman]

Just RCBS 44spl/44Mag carbine dies. Haven't had a problem.

[ryan]

Dec 6, 2018 6:37:30 GMT -5 magman said:

Just RCBS 44spl/44Mag carbine dies. Haven't had a problem.

same...

[bigmuddy]

Same here too.

Dan

[Encore64]

I use Lee and RCBS. I'd think any would work, just make sure you start with new brass.

[bradshaw]

Dec 5, 2018 22:05:53 GMT -5 alanf said:

What dies do you use to load for your FA 97 in 44 Special?  I understand they have tight chambers.

*****

alanf.... while I cannot speak for the Freedom Arms Model 97, I have inserted to flush .44 Mag brass fired in Rugers and Smith & Wessons into Model 83 .44 Mag chambers. This is not always the case and I use it to illustrate the importance of clarity in describing mechanical detail. CHAMBER EXIT HOLES----THROATS----normally run firm on Freedom Arms revolvers, firmer than the same chambering in a .44 S&W or Ruger. If the exit hole is tight, some bullets must be deep seated to freely chamber, or have the exit holes carefully brought up.

Tight exit holes do not automatically condemn accuracy----with jacketed bullets. I proved this in competition with the Dan Wesson Arms M44 .44 Magnum out to 200 meters. It was an eye-opener for all witnesses, including the shooter. Accuracy of cast from firm exits, for example a .452 through a .451 throat, may be fine----until the inevitable LEADING sets in. POWDER COAT avoids the leading issue of tight exits for a while, but in my experience powder coating starts to foul the rifling. This powder coat fouling is easily removed with a stiff bronze brush, to which I may add acetone.

Most of my .44 and .45 ammo gets swapped around between different revolvers. It is and has been loaded on a variety of dies, without the slightest problem in chambering in a Freedom Arms. The key is to square away die adjustments before loading live ammo.

As for messing with a revolver, my rule is to shoot first, theorize later. After cleaning and lubricating a new gun----unless something is horrendously wrong----I shoot it. I may or may not do a trigger job before shooting it, depends on the instrument.
David Bradshaw

[bradshaw]

While on the subject of handloading for a Freedom Arms, it is absolutely imperative that PRIMERS are correctly seated----slightly below flush. Certainly, the primer should not be .001-inch high. Primer protrusion is a no-no. Tight HEADSPACE found on Freedom Arms revolvers precludes free cylinder rotation with a high primer. The condition is to be avoided.

Primer seating represents a moment of hesitation in my handloading rhythm. And it doesn’t matter what press I am on, I want to feel it. Priming tools can wear: some seating posts compress over time; the claw of some shell holders compresses or distorts. And some priming tools are just lousy and cannot be saved.
David Bradshaw

[alanf]

Great info David. Thank you.

[bradshaw]

6 below zero, bright sun, time for a bit of offhand shooting through .45 Colt cylinders on the Ruger 03 and a Freedom Arms M83. Federal and Starline brass fired in the Model 83 chambers easily in the Ruger 03. Federal and Starline brass fired in the Ruger 03 slides fully into the M83 chambers with light thumb pressure, cylinder rotation normal. Ammo loaded on standard RCBS carbide set, using separate dies to seat and crimp. The seating stem is flat to properly seat wide meplat bullets.

Loading notes on my practice
* Separate brass by make and, preferably, Lot Number.
* Chamber sized brass before proceeding further.
* I do not trim straight wall cases unless there is a specific reason.
* Only chamfer case mouth when necessary to remove a burr or wire edge. I prefer a square case mouth for case life and to maximize crimp pressure with the least crimp.
* Bell case mouth minimum necessary to seat bullet without shaving. In general, slightly more bell for cast bullet. The Redding Stepped Expander excels at straight bullet alignment with minimum bell.
* ROLL CRIMP, unless a bullet specifically prefers PROFILE CRIMP.
* Unfortunately, not all roll crimps are equal. Some dies are cut with a rough or abrupt crimp radius. Fraction at this point causes the mouth to swell outward, as does an oversize die wall.
* Adjust crimp to bullet and load, i.e. recoil. No point in a heavy crimp on a light load.
* Believe the loading manual when it advises NECK TENSION is key to uniform ignition, especially with slow powders.

The target is the final arbiter of accuracy,
David Bradshaw