.44 Magnum-Semi Jacketed Bullets with Crimp Grooves

[renaissance]

I have been reloading for years...but
I had always used Hard Cast Lead for Pistols (revolvers)..
and Jacketed for Automatics.

I am used to hard cast Lead bullets with definitive and unmistakeable "crimp grooves" (I have always roll crimped my revolver reloads into these grooves)
The Jacketed bullets I used for my automatic loads did not have (or need) crimp grooves because I Taper Crimped them.

I have of late; wandered into the world of "Magnum".
Starting with .44 Magnum (Ruger Super Redhawk w Leupold 4x)

I have been looking in vain for semi-jacketed bullets in 44 Magnum [ 240 grains for a start] with (what I recognize as) crimp grooves for my pistol.

Because they are Magnum and are likely to be going fairly fast ( => 1000 fps); I wanted jacketed to reduce leading.


I see pictures of some (Magnatech and Remington) that appear to have one or more (two in the case of Magnatech) "Knurled Bands" around the semi-jacket ( I guess these are what are often refered to as "soft Point jacketed")

Is this ( the knurled bands) what you are supposed to roll your crimp into?
If more then one.....which one ??

You DO roll crimp into the bullets for Magnum revolver reloads - don't you ??

Am I going to find the same situation when I start looking for .357 Magnum bullets?

I am also going to reload some .44 S&W Special for the Redhawk.
I had intended to use the same 240 semi jacket Bullet ( If I ever find one).

While I am at it....
Is there one single powder "reasonable" to use for the entire range of reloads...
Low end .44 S&W Special ...to HIgh End....and then on through Low end .44 Magnum... up to High End .44 Magnum ??

TIA

 

[xring44]

The knurled band you speak of is commonly refered to as the cannelure, it is the point you want to seat to and crimp in. A good roll crimp is adviseable with the .44 magnum. I don't down load either the .44 magnum or the .44 special. I use Winchester 296 at the top end of the load tables with this powder with exceptional results. Those bullets haveing two cannelures are generally 300 grain bullets and are used to accomadate the longer bullet with full charges of powder. Look at Hornady 240 grain bullets or Nosler 240 grain bullets, either are fine bullets in my opinion. Remington also offers a good jacketed .240 grainer.

 

[loadedround]

44spec/mag loads

There are many powders on the market for loading down 44mags or specials, but one of the best you can use is Unique and just follow the recommended loads.

 

[azredhawk44]

I don't think there is a powder that is perfect for light 44 special all the way up to heavy 44magnum.

That's why there are so many available powders and load data for 44mag.

For specials, look at Win231, titegroup or unique. These are very fast burning powders that require minimal amounts in the case but generate immediate high case pressure.

For magnums you CAN use the same powders and load data DOES exist, but they will never match the performance of Win296, H110 or 2400. These fill the entire case for the most part and continue to burn all the way to the end of the barrel, constantly accelerating the bullet. But, they maintain low pressure when ignited in the cartridge itself.

Most 44magnum shooters eat and drink either H110 or Win296 and have a "guy" that can give them a "fix" on cheap 240gr projectiles. You can spot a 44magger by the lead stains on their fingertips from constant reloading, the powder burns and sulphuric smells on their hands from hot gasses and flames escaping the forcing cone gap and getting all over their hands, and the maniacal grin that is permanently imprinted on their faces.

 

[Hawken50]

sorry to thread jack

anybody have data for using Clays with jacketed bullets for 44spl?

 

[Father Knows Best]

Not jacketed, no. But Hodgdon does publish load data for Clays in .44 special with 185 and 240 grain cast bullets: http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/44swspec.php