Why do I have these guns??

[Lumski]

The 445 and the 360... it might not make lots of sense.  After all, I don't even reload.  I've owned redhawks and 629's, and found them to be superb shooting instruments.  Still, those Dans beckoned.  I'd never even handled one until 3 years ago, heretofore admiring them on the pages of gunrags.  Spying the 360DW in the used guncase, with it's sleek vent slotted barrel: nevermind it was a caliber I'd never heard of, I nearly tore the pocket off my pants in retrieving my checkbook.  The 445 was acquired a year later, and now I had 2 guns for which no factory cartridges were being made.  Such a nonsequitur was not about to intrude on my gun-think - I've made less rational firearm choices.  So I will continue to shoot 357 mag and 44 mag out of those stretch cylinders, although I think I will contact Stars & stripes ammo builders to see it they can put together some 445s and 360s for a Spring boar hunt.  I should probably start looking at reloading.  Someday...

unabashed Danfan

[unspellable]

I thought Dan Wesson was selling loaded 445 & 360 cartridges.  I know there are small ammo outfits loading at least the 445.

In any case get the wherewithal.  It isn't that hard and it doesn't cost that much.  You can get set up for the retail price of a 100 rounds of 454 casull.

[Ocsamschainsaw]

Heheh, I know, sometimes I wonder why I own and shoot a .577/450 Martini Henry, but..
I think it all comes down to the fun of having something out of the ordinary.
For routine shooting there's always the .22, .38's and 7.62x39mm in my case.

[7br]

The 445 and the 360... it might not make lots of sense.  After all, I don't even reload.  unabashed Danfan

 Darned skippy it doesn't make sense.  As a purely humanitarian effert to restore your mind to an orderly state, I will make the sacrifice and take them into my home.  I promise that I will care for them just like they were my own.  I'll provide a nice, warm safe to sleep in.  I'll give them plenty of exercise and feed them a steady diet of cast boolits.  Just give the word and I'll send a prepaid mailer to your abode and we can get the adoption process underway.

On a slightly more serious note, surely you have met a few guys on the range that reload.  My guess is that most of them would be more than willing to help a fellow shooter get started reloading.  I would try to lay my hands on 100 or so loaded rounds of each and save the brass.  I do know that starline makes brass for both rounds.  You might check out the following web site http://www.reload-nrma.com/  Poke around and you'll find links to instructors in your zip code

[Paul5388]

I don't have a .360 Dan Wesson, but I do have a Handi rifle that shoots .360s!

Here's some Starline .360 DW brass I have loaded with 180 gr XTPs on the left and a Beartooth 250 gr LRNFPGC in the middle.  Second from the right is .357 Mag with the 250 and far right is a .44 Mag.


I use Lee carbide .357 Mag dies on the .360 DW brass and the Handi will shoot .360s like this at 100 yards.


A simple Lee anniversary kit will produce .360 DW ammo at very little cost.  What I have loaded for the Handi may be too long for the DW revolver, but unlike factory loads, handloads can be altered to fit your needs.