Belted magnum? Please explain the name...

[Bill_Rights]

I saw several references recently to "belted magnum" wording. Once in the context of "belted magnum calibers", another in the context of "belted magnum actions". Not sure if it refers to the cartridge, the chambering, the bullet itself or what. Is this somewhat of an antiquated usage? Or does it have a current-day, proper technical meaning? (From what I gather, the term does NOT refer to belt-fed full-auto systems.)

 

[uncle joe]

the case has a raised 'belt' around the base to support the magnum explosion inside.

 

[jmr40]

The first magnum cartridges were developed when double rifles were common for hunting dangerous game. The cartridges needed a rim or a belt around the cartridge case to headspace and for extraction.

Later when cartridges such as the 300 Winchester mag. and 7mm Remington mag. came out they included the belt even though it really serves no use. The theory is that most shooters associated the belt with magnum cartridges and they would sell better with the belt.

Most of the newer magnum cartridges such as the line of Winchester Short mangums have done away with the useless belt. The belt does not usually hurt anything although some claim rounds without them feed better. It is just not needed for any function on MOST of the magnum rounds. The older 300H&H and 375H&H magnums are the only 2 that I am aware of that require the belt.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

You,ve been given the correct info. The belts purpose is positive repeatable headspace, and has nothing to do with the cases inherent strength.

 

[Bill_Rights]

Thanks. Guess that ends this thread. But, hey, they don't all have to be long.

 

[rcmodel]

The belts purpose is positive repeatable headspace

Too bad it didn't work out that way!

Knowledgeable reloaders ignore the belt and headspace off the shoulder.
In other words, they treat it just like a beltless bottleneck caliber.

The belt is not as consistent and brass life is shorter if you rely on the belt to set the headspace.

rc

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Knowledgeable reloaders ignore the belt and headspace off the shoulder.
In other words, they treat it just like a beltless bottleneck caliber.

Exactly--unless you're shooting a straight-walled round like the .458 Win Mag, or a round like the .300 and .375 H&H whose shoulders are very gradual. That is why the belt was born in the first place.

 

[hamourkiller]

The reason the belt exists today, is that the first magnums were the .300 H&H magnum and the .375 H&H magnum.

When new magnums came out in the 30's 40's 50's and 60's they were all based upon these two original magnums.

The wildcatters blew out the cases to straight sided and shortened the over all length to fit in a 1903 or 1903A3 action.

Basically the .H&H cases were plentiful and if you needed more powder space than a 30-06 based case you had to work with the belted mag case. Which was designed as previously stated to work with a double rifles extractor-ejector system.

More modern mags are going to a true rimless case now.