Old Speer 240-gr "half jackets" - how to crimp?

[IMtheNRA]

I have this box of very old Speer 240-gr "half jackets" and I would like to load them and shoot them all up. I was wondering about the proper procedure for crimping these bullets.

I'm inclined to crimp them just above the copper jacket, so only the lead portion shows. Of course, I don't want to end up with the copper jacket stuck in the barrel while the lead core goes downrange. That's why I though I'd ask how people did this back in the olden days.

Intended use is a full power .44 magnum load.

 

[Steve C]

Your doing it right. Roll crimp just over the top of the copper jacket.

 

[GRIZ22]

I used to load these and the 38 version a lot back in the 70s. I liked the half jacket which let you load them hotter. The exposed lead gave good expansion. I crimped them the way you stated and never had any issues. IIRC Speer warned about leading these at low velocities which could cause the jacket to stay in the barrel. No problem with your full 44 mag load.

 

[TimSr]

Agree with the masses. Should look like a regular SWC when finished.

Those were neat rapid expansion defense bullets. I still have one bullet left over from a box of 101. Special emphasis on the warning Griz22 mentions about not loading them down!

 

[mdi]

I used a bunch of those early in my .44 magnum reloading. I roll crimped over the half jacket. BTW, I got some pretty good groups with my 629 and that bullet over some AA9...

 

[Haxby]

I have nothing to add, except I remember being annoyed when I found out I couldn't get these any more.

 

[gwpercle]

They did great , the jacket allowed a high velocity and that big exposed SWC nose hit hard.
I'm still hoarding half a box for my 41 magnum. My model 58 S&W loved them.
I don't guess Speer would consider making another run, pity !

 

[JimKirk]

Shot a boat load of those out of my .41 Mag & 44 Mag .... crimp as told above .... keep the load up ... no low level one or the half jacket may stay behind in the barrel ...

 

[TimSr]

no low level one or the half jacket may stay behind in the barrel ...

If I had to guess, people frequently ignoring this was probably the reason they were discontinued. People still frequently assume that there could never be anything dangerous about reducing loads below published minimums, while being totally paranoid about overcharging by .1.

 

[burrhead]

I still have a box of these in .357. As others have posted, don't use them in light or moderate loads; you'll stick the jacket.

 

[Ifishsum]

I'm sitting on 2 or 3 boxes of those for the .41 Magnum as well...they are easily the most accurate I have tried and was very disappointed to find out they had been discontinued. Whenever I'm in a small town with a gun/reloading store or a hardware store with loading components I look for them...sometimes you find old stock in places like that that has been sitting on a shelf for years. Often with the original price tag from 20+ years ago. I wish Speer would make a run of those again, I would stock up.

 

[Shimitup]

I used to shoot those in my Security Six, one of the weights in .38 was 146 JHP, right?

 

[GRIZ22]

That's correct Shimitup, 38s were 146 JHP and a 160 SP (SWC).

 

[Float Pilot]

I used them for years until I exhausted my supply. A couple large bears fell victim to those bullets as did more than a few caribou. They are a great hunting bullet.
Am I the only one who takes exception to the phrase OLDEN DAYS in the original post?

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

I inherited three boxes of these made by Hornady that say 300gr 45-70 on the box. They have been sitting around for years since I was not sure about them. Still kinda not sure about loading them for a Marlin since the faded paper in the box says they are for use in springfield trapdoors. Not sure how the crimp will hold up to a tube magazine.

 

[JimKirk]

Am I the only one who takes exception to the phrase OLDEN DAYS in the original post?

No ... not really the alternative may not be as great as shooting & reloading or reloading and shooting .... glad to be here .... This is my 50th Anniversary of Reloading 1965 ....