44mag

A long time ago when I purchased my 629, I bought a case of Samson 44mag 240 JSP ammo. Turned out the 629 loved that ammo, was extremely accurate, I took several white tails and wild pigs with it. Then I started running out of the ammo and found out that it wasn't available in the US any more...

I am trying to use RCBS 44mag dies; but the resizing die is almost impossible to work. I lube my cases and have clean the die but it is so tight I can barely articulate the press. 44 mag cases are suppose to have an external diameter of .456; the die resizes down to .449 which is .007 smaller...

I have a single action 44 mag Ruger Vaquero old model and am wondering if I am able shoot 44-40 out of it? I have read alot that I can do 44 special but I would like to double check that as well. Thanks in advance for any help.