Reloading .44 Magnum: JSPs - .429 or .431?

[ChairborneRanger]

I occasionally reload . 44 magnum using 240 grain jacketed soft points bullet.

In the past, I've used Zero bullets from Powder Valley, .429 diameter, however, they are currently out of stock at PV. When I go to the Zero website, they redirect me to their retail distributor, Roze Distribution, who has .240 grain JSPs in stock, although in .431 diameter.

Are .431 ".44" bullets suitable for reloading .44 magnum? As an aside, they will be used in an S&W 629.

Thanks for your help and insights!

 

[CKweigand]

One way to know for sure is to slug your barrel. You’ll find out real quick if .431 is suitable enough for your revolver...In my experience I like the .431 in a rifle setup for reasons being dictated by the barrels rifling type. Like an older marlin with the micro groove barrel. For some reason the .431 are considerably more accurate in these type barrels. JMO YMMV...

 

[buck460XVR]

Roze advertises them for use in .44 mag. I'm gonna guess they will work just fine. Hornady .44 mag jacketed bullets are advertised as .430.

 

[Walkalong]

They'll work just fine. I'd have to go back and look at what I measured the ones I had at.

 

[Galil5.56]

I like to load my Model 29 Classic with as 'fat' a bullet as the chamber will take, but in truth your revolvers cyl throats will really dictate how much 'better' they might shoot. All said I prefer to run jacketed bullets no smaller than .430", and I'll shoot cast .431"+ depending on cases used. FWIW, my revolver was made and bought in 1991, and I have no idea if S&W revolvers of a more current vintage, have avg cyl/barrel dims that potentially work better/worse with .431".

Curious, what propellant are you going to use with these bullets? Good luck, and happy New Year.

 

[ChairborneRanger]

I like to load my Model 29 Classic with as 'fat' a bullet as the chamber will take, but in truth your revolvers cyl throats will really dictate how much 'better' they might shoot. All said I prefer to run jacketed bullets no smaller than .430", and I'll shoot cast .431"+ depending on cases used. FWIW, my revolver was made and bought in 1991, and I have no idea if S&W revolvers of a more current vintage, have avg cyl/barrel dims that potentially work better/worse with .431".


Curious, what propellant are you going to use with these bullets? Good luck, and happy New Year.

When I occasionally use them for plinking-target shooting, I most commonly use either H. Universal or HP-38----for "full house" loads, I use 2400.

 

[Texas10mm]

Jacketed bullets for the .44 are typically .429, plated or cast are .431.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

They will work just fine

 

[Walkalong]

I'd have to go back and look at what I measured the ones I had at.

I still had/have some of the Zero .44 Cal 240 Gr JSP bullets and they just measured .430 at the base.

 

[murf]

if the bullet pushes through the cylinder throats (hand pressure only), you should be good-to-go.

luck,

murf

 

[ChairborneRanger]

Thanks everyone!

 

[RealGun]

if the bullet pushes through the cylinder throats (hand pressure only), you should be good-to-go.

luck,

murf

And if they don't, chamber pressure will be high. I think of .431 jacketed as for a rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

My Redhawk's throats are .431 and the Zeros push through with a little resistance. May fall through if I clean the throats. Shoot great.

I shot a bunch of Magtech 240 Gr JSPs and while they measured .432, they shot great as well.

 

[murf]

And if they don't, chamber pressure will be high. I think of .431 jacketed as for a rifle.

if they don't, the round may not fit in the chamber, or stick out of the chamber a bit and drag on the recoil shield (a problem either way).

murf

 

[buck460XVR]

I have a feeling, as good as reputation as Zero bullets have and as many as they sell........if there was an issue, it would have been addressed or we would have heard about it long before this. This question about the size of Zero's bullets intended for .44 mag has come up before, if not on this exact forum, another like it. Yet, we have not heard of any issues with them, other than they shoot very well for what they cost. I have heard they have good customer service, if one has a question about their product, I would think they would be the one to ask.

JMTCs.

 

[Toprudder]

The Zero 44 mag JSP bullets are my preferred projectiles for that caliber.

 

[RealGun]

if they don't, the round may not fit in the chamber, or stick out of the chamber a bit and drag on the recoil shield (a problem either way).

murf

I don't see how that relates to whether the size of the bullet will push through the throats, the context of what you are quoting. Ah! now I see what you are saying, but I only see that on SWC or others with a leading band, and then trim the cases to make them fit. I can also resize the bullets.

 

[murf]

I don't see how that relates to whether the size of the bullet will push through the throats, the context of what you are quoting. Ah! now I see what you are saying, but I only see that on SWC or others with a leading band, and then trim the cases to make them fit. I can also resize the bullets.

heavy lbt bullets are also prone to this as most of the bullet is sticking out of the case. this is also a cheap way to measure your throat diameter and make sure they are larger than your barrel groove diameter.

lighter bullets usually don't have this problem since most of the bullet is inside the case.

murf