Speer 240gr Deep Curl Bullets Flat Point

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TxWolf

TxWolf

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I have about 900 of these bullets for 44 mag. (.429 dia). Can’t find any load data for these. Will be loading in a 29-2 revolver. Have read they can be loaded like a gold dot. Would like to work on a hunting load and also reduced load for practice. If anyone has loaded these or knows where I can find data I would appreciate the info. These seems to be a weird bullet to load for some reason. Can’t even find data from Speer who makes these bullets.

edit. I have unique, universal, 231 , IMR 4227, 2400 and 296 powders to work with.
 
That’s pretty much what I was thinking but thought I would ask the people in here that are far more knowledgeable than me. :)
 
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TxWolf said:
That’s pretty much what I was thinking but thought I would ask the people in here that are far more knowledgeable than me. :)
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Its definitely worth a try someone might have some data that uses that exact bullet but if not you can fall back to data for other 240gr jacketed bullets and work up safely from their starting load.
 
They are new. Were repackaged by midway. But they were sold as Speer deep curl.

Edit. I don’t think the bullets are a new product release. Sorry about that. But there seems to be something about them that’s different to load and I have no idea what that is. Again the only info I have found is that they load similar to gold dot bullets.
 
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Several years ago, I spoke with Speer, and they gave me load data on the phone. If you can get through, I'm sure they will do the same for you. I load them with H-110, which is the same as your W-296.
 
https://www.marlinowners.com/threads/speer-44-mag-deepcurl-bullet-data.136060/

The load data listed in one of the posts shows velocities for a rifle, not a pistol. But they talk about the construction of the deep curl bullet and it's similarities to Speer Gold Dots of the same weight.
As the others above said, it will get you started. Speer #14 is supposed to have Deep Curl load data in it also.
Hope this helps.
 
Just called Speer and got all the info they have for this bullet. Thanks for suggesting that. They were very very helpful. If anyone is interested I will post what they gave me.
 
The guy told me all the info he gave me is in the 15th edition manual. Was going to get one and looked online and everyone is out of stock. Except eBay and there was one for $99. Lol. I’ll just wait until I find one at a normal/reasonable price.
 
Calling Speer was the very best course of action. Generally speaking, powder and bullet makers have 10X more info than they openly publish in books or on the web.
 
Those look pretty identical to Zero 44 240g SJSP projectiles.

I load those over Unique, IMR4227, H110, Acc No7...I run them in revolvers and my Henry lever action. Let me know if you need any load data for those.
 
Anecdotal evidence suggests those Deep Curl bullets are pretty stout, and require top velocities to open up much. In my own experience, I killed a big southern Illinois whitetail buck with the 270 DC a few years back, and while penetration was through and through, we had to track him for over a quarter mile through swamp and thick brush. Impact velocity was around 1250 fps, and it didn't make a very wide wound channel. I'd like to know what the folks at Speer told you about them.
 
TxWolf said:
They are new. Were repackaged by midway. But they were sold as Speer deep curl.

Edit. I don’t think the bullets are a new product release. Sorry about that. But there seems to be something about them that’s different to load and I have no idea what that is. Again the only info I have found is that they load similar to gold dot bullets.
Click to expand...

The Deep Curl line of Bullets are just Gold Dot bullets renamed. Speer renamed them Deep Curl to differentiate them as hunting bullets as opposed to SD projectiles, which are now what the Gold Dot line is. I have new Deep Curl and old Gold Dot bullets with the same product numbers on the box. This is with handgun bullets. I do not know anything about the Deep Curl line for rifles. The sane disclaimer Speer gives for Gold Dots applies to Deep Curls.
 
Not sure about the actual size of those DC, but if you want to mic them, here's the info on those Zero:

OAL, .647", give or take .001"
Cannelure distance from bottom: .275"

If those are close to those dim, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be darn near identical to my loads. With that said:

This is my personal load data...so use it at your own risk.

In 44 magnum brass.

Loaded over 9g Unique, they're right around 1000 fps from my 7.5" Super Redhawk. 10g will take that up to 1100 fps.

Loaded over 23g of IMR4227, they came in at 1217 fps from my SRH, 1409 from my Henry. These are very accurate loads.

Loaded over 23.1g of H110/296, they came in at 1603 fps from my Henry. I did not test them in my SRH, but I'd expect FPS in the 1400 range based on other data.

I haven't goofed around with 2400 and those just yet.

*EDIT*

Looking at Alliant's load data, and data on 240g 44 mag loads that I've made with 2400, it seems that for a FMJ, 21g of 2400 is about max. I made 240g XTP loads over 21g of 2400 and those were cooking right along at 1466 fps from my SRH. I think I'm going to make some loads for myself today, somewhere in the 19-20g range.
 
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After more research the DC bullet is a renamed gold dot. The customer service guy at Speer told me this is a hunting bullet. Really didn’t give me any parameters on velocities they are designed for. Forgot to ask. Although the bullets in the manual are not listed as gold dots the info he gave me matches the 240 gr jacketed bullets in my #12 manual (JHP JSP TMJ) except for the 2400 load. The #12 manual lists 2400 as 15.9-17.7. He gave me a loading parameter of 2400 as 19.0-21.0. WOW!!! BIG BIG difference.
He also told me he didn’t have any info for universal or 231 which are both listed in the #12 manual. I would think the most velocity you can safely and accurately get out of these the better they will perform. But wanted a reduced load for them to practice with also. I have plenty. Told him I would be shooting these bullets out of a smith 29 with 8 3/8 length barrel. Thanks to all for posting. Any and all input is appreciated.
 
TxWolf said:
Forgot to ask. Although the bullets in the manual are not listed as gold dots the info he gave me matches the 240 gr jacketed bullets in my #12 manual (JHP JSP TMJ) except for the 2400 load. The #12 manual lists 2400 as 15.9-17.7. He gave me a loading parameter of 2400 as 19.0-21.0. WOW!!! BIG BIG difference.
Click to expand...

I have perfectly fine luck with 240g jacketed rounds and 21g of 2400.

Let's just say that with 240g lead projectiles, I've pushed the 21g number higher. The results were, well, interesting. I wont do that again.
 
TxWolf said:
Guess that’s why you start low and work up to your max. :)
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(I know this is a totally generic statement), but I really wish I had more $$ to drop on things like possibly blown up guns.

I've read that the Super Super Redhawk can take a serious beating. If the frame, unchanged to my knowledge, can handle 454 Casull PSI up to 55-60K...I'm guessing the 44 can take a serious licking as well, far higher than 35-40K PSI. I'm the kind of fool that would like to see how hot of a load I can make in 44 mag and have the SRH take the abuse...in a rig, with me far away.

Sadly, blowing that kind of $$ on something like that is not a resource i have.
 
I know this is off topic somewhat but I’ve always wondered how many revolvers Elmer Keith blew up while testing loads in a 44 special trying to make 44 mag velocities. And what method he used to stay safe just in case this is the one that blows up. Had a friend blow up a smith 29 once. I think he had a double charge. It was impressive and he is dang lucky he still has eyes and fingers. Wish I woulda bought that gun from him just to hang on the wall in my loading room. Kinda a reminder to keep your head out and pay attention.
 
TxWolf said:
I know this is off topic somewhat but I’ve always wondered how many revolvers Elmer Keith blew up while testing loads in a 44 special trying to make 44 mag velocities. And what method he used to stay safe just in case this is the one that blows up. Had a friend blow up a smith 29 once. I think he had a double charge. It was impressive and he is dang lucky he still has eyes and fingers. Wish I woulda bought that gun from him just to hang on the wall in my loading room. Kinda a reminder to keep your head out and pay attention.
Click to expand...

Good question. I'm pretty sure the famous "keith exploded revolver" was a 45 colt.

When it comes to my magnum loads, I don't often mess around low case volume loads. H110, IMR4227, and 2400 would be impossible to double charge.
 
I started loading with 296 for that very reason. A double charge will be spilling everywhere. Use an LED light to look inside all the cases when I’m loading reduced loads with Unique. Like I said. That blown up gun was impressive. Made an impression on me for sure. :)
 
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