Jim,
I checked the data sheet from Speer re their #4427 .430" 200gr Gold Dot jHP, the same bullet used in the .44 Special CCI Blazer round. The sheet clearly states that the new bullet is designed to open up completely at 800 fps and not to be used over 1,000 fps, ie, not in magnum loadings. I depend on this, and MC's results, by using them in my 296 with it's 2.5" barrel. BTW, those Blazers hit ~800 fps exiting that 296; 835 fps from the 3" 696 I have, and ~870 fps from my 4" 629MG. I cannot find my range records from last spring when I chrono-ed them in my 6.5" M24, but, if my memory is correct (Big if....), I seem to recall little difference in the 4" 629MG and the 6.5" M24, velocity wise. I recall thinking that the Blazer round wouldn't be suited for anything but self defense... thoughts of bagging a raging pachyderm with one having failed. I'll re-check them next time I use the chrono at the range...
I celebrated the Blazers use last night by buying another box ($12.99/50) and a few boxes of Blazer 115gr FMJ 9mm ($3.99/50) at a local 'Academy Sports' chain. After many thousands of 9mm/.45ACP Al-cased Blazers, I finally had a ruptured case - hard to extract - in my 696 - one of those much heralded .44 Specials. I couldn't tell which cylinder bore had held the split round later, so no damage done. Oddly, those hard to find #4427 bullets are pricey - they make homebrew .44 Special loads (I use 5.7gr TiteGroup & WLP primers) too close in cost to the Al-cased Blazers!
Stainz