Still worth the effort?

[M118LR]

I think the time has come to put aside .44 Mag Reloading? (say it isn't so)
My favorite 265 Hornady projectile has been discontinued. Powder & primer availability is at an all time low & all time high cost.
I've run the last run of the thousand brass I currently have, and would need to get 1K NEW BRASS or 1K Factory loads to restart the process.
This makes the last 50 or so 265 reloads remaining to precious for hunting to expend plinking.
So I'm beginning to consider just purchasing 1K of the CCI Blazer Not Reloadable Aluminum cased ammo to use for practice in the S&W 69. Cost is about $1.10 per round for 240 JHP @ 1200 fps muzzle (from 6.5 barrel not 4.25 Model 69 Barrel) which is about all the recoil I want from the 5 shot L-Frame. I can't find .44 Specials for this cost per round. Not to mention that the .44 Mag Case will fill the entire chamber causing less cleaning. (ie 38 special use in .357 Mag cylinders)
I'm on the backside of the mountain and would like to plink/practice with the S&W 69 at the range.

So is it time to purchase a 1K Lot of CCI Blazers for plinking/practice and set aside reloading the .44 Mag?
What say Y'all.

 

[WRM]

I'd keep an eye out for loaded rounds for sale. It "seems" people are finally starting to sell a lot of that stuff that's just sat there when times were good. I'd imagine you could score some loaded ammo with some patience.

Otherwise, plenty of good cast bullets about and surely you could get some brass to plow along? I'd be concerned with what's going on that I'd really come to regret a decision to not keep feeding anything I really like to shoot.

 

[Fear21]

How much is .44 brass? If you're still good on primers, powder and projectiles I'd just get more brass. I know you said the 265 is discontinued but there's still plenty of good bullet selections out there.

Even then, speaking for myself I'd get the brass and a case of the Blazer just to light up for fun.

 

[M118LR]

I'm out of large pistol primers & IMR4227, but since I'd be looking for sub 1200 fps with 240 grain projectile there might be lower cost more available NOT ball powder out there? Brass runs from $0.30-0.77 a piece. Not really interested in cast or casting my own projectiles for use in this revolver. It's like a complete restock would be required to reload for plinking/practice. Not having enough rounds to feed it is a concern WRM. (spot on Sir)
Doing both is also an option, but if I'm going to get 1K of Blazers it's just a small step to get 2K since shipping is free on orders of a 1000 or more rounds. Does Old Age lead to laziness? Or is it the realization that there are only so many rounds left to expend?

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[WRM]

I'd look at A 2400 for some "low power" hardcast loads.

I've bought Hunter Supply before for "fooling around" purposes. But, anything that gets hit with those is going to feel none to happy about it.

Hunters Supply Hard Cast Bullets 44 Cal (430 Diameter) 300 Grain Lead

A great bullet for competitive shooting or small and medium-sized game, these high-quality cast bullets are composed of 6% antimony, 2% tin and 92% lead...

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[M118LR]

I still have the LYMAN mold for Bullet #429421 245 grain plain base (Elmer Keith's Design) but it & I have both retired from casting. (finding linotype nowadays???) Nah, it'll be jacketed projectiles for the S&W 69. But the idea is worth while, Thanks.

Don't forget that I'll be launching these out of a 4 inch L-Frame, not the customary BIG N-frame. Hotter than .44 special but at the bottom end of the .44 Mag spectrum. Still warm enough for self defense if required, and I've got enough of the 265's loaded for hunting to hopefully last my lifetime........

 

[Jevaughn]

If you're wanting to run a heavier bullet at ~1200fps there are a lot of non-magnum powder alternatives that also don't require magnum primers (Unique, Accurate #5, Universal, Power Pistol, CFE Pistol, just about any powder that works for 9mm, 38spl, etc will produce a 1200fps 240gr load). Projectiles can be found with a little searching online, may not be what you prefer, but experimenting might lead to some pleasant results. I know that since the plan-demic started, I've had to venture outside my comfort zones which have led to some pleasantly surprising results. Primers are 0.10/each if you can find them, but I've bought several thousand over the past few months at that price. Hated doing it, but still cheaper to roll my own ammo than buy factory and I get better results. I used to never reload 9mm, now I load it by the hundreds. .357 is definitely a lot cheaper to load (Hornady 125gr FTX over 16.5gr of Acc#9 makes for a very nice load for my Blackhawk), and I load a lot of cast plinking ammo for it using Bullseye and Unique. I'd recommend checking out Uber's and Styx River shooting center for components. If you'd prefer to give up reloading for your .44 that's on you, but there are plenty of good options available if you put a little effort into it.

 

[Bowhntr6pt]

I've just about lost all interest in reloading due to the insane prices... fortunately I'm set, most likely for life.

 

[Midnight son]

No no no no. Get some plain base 240 swc from Missouri Bullet and a pound of Universal or Unique. LPP are still to be had, albeit at three times what they used to be. Get 100 pieces of brass.....at low pressure (900 fps) they'll last forever. Get some Speer shot capsules while your at it to put more excitement and utility in that Smith.

.44 and .45 Colt need to be reloaded now more than ever.

 

[WRM]

I'd look for some lead boolits you like and load up now. One of the next angles for JoePa will be banning use of lead in any "consumer" bullets. And, there are no primary lead smelters left in the US now, anyway. They'll push us all to far more expensive monolithic bullets. A stepping stone on the path to rid us of those pesky bullets. EPA will be happy to wield that enforcement stick. Just my .02.

 

[M118LR]

Quick math:
Brass 30-50 cent per round.
primer 10 cent per round.
powder 5 cent per round. ($29 lb unique 11 grains 636 loads)
projectile 19 cent per round. (240 copper jacketed HP projectiles 100/$18.50)
64-84 cents per round when components are available.
I guess it depends on how many rounds you expect to expend per week/month/year? If I was still Shooting Silhouette (100 a week) or 5K a year, than it would be worth the time. But at 40 a month (practice plinking, bullseye) 1K will last 2 years. The more component costs rise, the lower the benefit. How much is your time worth? Guess that's determined by how may rounds you plan to expend.

Berry's 44 Caliber 240 grain Target Hollow Point Bullets pk/100

Out of Stock - Berry's 44 Caliber 240 Grain Target Hollow Point Bullets are the finest bonded copper-jacketed bullets available today. Starting with a swaged lead core, they are electroplated with copper to their final weight, leaving no lead exposure.

www.usreloadingsupply.com

 

[Daezee]

Remember, cost consideration aside, you can tailor hand loads to your gun, getting the performance and accuracy that meets your needs. Sometimes that is more important than shear cost.

 

[WRM]

Brass 30-50 cent per round

If you weren't shooting barn burners, I'd think you'd get a lot of miles out of your brass and the effective cost per round (on that item) should be much reduced.

But, you almost certainly got to bump that powder cost unless you're using old stock.

 

[FLT]

If I were just starting out , then the cost would be enough to make me question if it was worth the effort, but I crossed that bridge many decades ago. I don’t think I’d give up hand loading even if it cost more than factory loads. I can rarely find exactly what I’m looking for in factory loaded ammunition.

 

[Fodderwing]

It all depends on when you bought into the game.

 

[M118LR]

Remember, cost consideration aside, you can tailor hand loads to your gun, getting the performance and accuracy that meets your needs. Sometimes that is more important than shear cost.

That is very important especially for competitions, but since the primary use of this S&W 69 L-frame 5 shot is as a secondary sidearm while hunting, the Hornady 265's on hand are it's primary loading. With the limited range time I get Nowadays it is doubtful I'll have time to work up a specific load for plinking. (most of my range time currently is spent attempting to master a 9mm Hellcat)

Now straight walled cartridges are about the easiest to reload, and I've been reloading since the 60's, but for the last decade + I've concentrated my reloading efforts on High Power Rifle Cartridges. Therefore, I find myself devoid of Pistol Powders, Pistol Primers, Usable or New Brass, and projectiles for the .44 Mag. I've got all the tools to cast, load, deprime, etc... so those costs don't figure into the equation. I'm not going to quit reloading completely, but I'm leaning toward just purchasing a 1K lot of Blazers specifically for the S&W 69 instead of taking the time to once again resupply the bench with all the required components for a task that isn't a primary concern. (ps I did find unique for $29 a LB online how long it will last????) I don't question the usefulness and advantages to reloading, I just don't believe that this purpose is worth the time & effort I'd need to spend on the bench. My Bench time is probably better spent tailoring loads for high powered rifle use Nowadays, than crafting plinking rounds for limited use in a secondary sidearm. Perhaps I'm mistaken?

 

[Ron]

That is very important especially for competitions, but since the primary use of this S&W 69 L-frame 5 shot is as a secondary sidearm while hunting, the Hornady 265's on hand are it's primary loading. With the limited range time I get Nowadays it is doubtful I'll have time to work up a specific load for plinking. (most of my range time currently is spent attempting to master a 9mm Hellcat)

Now straight walled cartridges are about the easiest to reload, and I've been reloading since the 60's, but for the last decade + I've concentrated my reloading efforts on High Power Rifle Cartridges. Therefore, I find myself devoid of Pistol Powders, Pistol Primers, Usable or New Brass, and projectiles for the .44 Mag. I've got all the tools to cast, load, deprime, etc... so those costs don't figure into the equation. I'm not going to quit reloading completely, but I'm leaning toward just purchasing a 1K lot of Blazers specifically for the S&W 69 instead of taking the time to once again resupply the bench with all the required components for a task that isn't a primary concern. (ps I did find unique for $29 a LB online how long it will last????) I don't question the usefulness and advantages to reloading, I just don't believe that this purpose is worth the time & effort I'd need to spend on the bench. My Bench time is probably better spent tailoring loads for high powered rifle use Nowadays, than crafting plinking rounds for limited use in a secondary sidearm. Perhaps I'm mistaken?

Well then you just answered your question!

 

[Jester896]

I might have 8# of old stock 2400 and might be in Brunswick in a couple of weeks if that's close enough.

 

[M118LR]

I might have 8# of old stock 2400 and might be in Brunswick in a couple of weeks if that's close enough.

Thank You, that is a generous offer but I believe Ron is right. I may have just answered my own question.

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[Jevaughn]

Quick math:
Brass 30-50 cent per round.
primer 10 cent per round.
powder 5 cent per round. ($29 lb unique 11 grains 636 loads)
projectile 19 cent per round. (240 copper jacketed HP projectiles 100/$18.50)
64-84 cents per round when components are available.
I guess it depends on how many rounds you expect to expend per week/month/year? If I was still Shooting Silhouette (100 a week) or 5K a year, than it would be worth the time. But at 40 a month (practice plinking, bullseye) 1K will last 2 years. The more component costs rise, the lower the benefit. How much is your time worth? Guess that's determined by how may rounds you plan to expend.

Berry's 44 Caliber 240 grain Target Hollow Point Bullets pk/100

Out of Stock - Berry's 44 Caliber 240 Grain Target Hollow Point Bullets are the finest bonded copper-jacketed bullets available today. Starting with a swaged lead core, they are electroplated with copper to their final weight, leaving no lead exposure.

www.usreloadingsupply.com

30-50 cents per round gets reduced by the number of times you can reload that brass. I've got .357 brass with probably 10-12 firings on them at mag pressures and I've got .38 brass that has probably 20 on them before I start seeing split cases. That means that the first loading might be 64-84 cents the following loadings are 34 cents per round, which is a hella lot cheaper than factory ammo. I rarely consider brass cost in the cost of reloading because the cost diminishes with each loading I get out of that brass until it's so negligible that it doesn't really matter.
I don't have much experience with .44 magnum loading, so I don't know how many times a single brass case can be reloaded, but unless you're using garbage brass or a worn out cylinder that allows for a good bit of brass expansion, I can't imagine a scenario where you wouldn't get less than 8 loads, and that's running hot ammo.