Hornady .44cal swaged bullet?

springer99

springer99

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I was recently gifted a box of .44cal Hornady swaged SWC-HP bullets that I'd like to work up a light target load for. Probably will end up running them around 800-950fps or so. Given the design of these bullets and the knurling lube grooves, I'm scratching my head as to whether or not they need to be roll-crimped. If so, where?

Any one of you experienced reloading with some hints on loading this bullet would be appreciated.
 
It's been years,but I seem to remember crimping above the shoulder.I also remember them leading above 800 fps
 
I've been using Hornady Frontier SWCHPs in my .38 S&W loads and have been putting a very light roll crimp right in the knurling to keep the OAL where I want it. They seem to work fine like this in the old Victory I've been shooting them in. The bullets are very soft and easy to crimp. There has been some leading with them but nothing bad. I'm thinking that the leading was due to a poor fit in the barrel due to being shot in a .38 S&W instead of a .38 special.
 
shot some a number of years ago and experienced leading at very modest velocities.

I would try to keep the speed down to no more than 800 fps and try a taper crimp. There shouldn't be enough recoil energy to allow bullet creep with a good taper crimp. If you want to roll crimp them, do the roll crimp at the bullet shoulder.

IMO you will be better served using a cast lead, 240 grain bullet with a grease groove and a crimp groove or consider the Bayou bullets coated bullet.
 
I just looked in Hornady's book and for a lead 240 grain SWCHP the C.O.L. is 1.490 for .44 special. For .44 magnum the C.O.L. is 1.690. These are the maximum lengths.
The book also shows loading the magnum to 1000 FPS. I wouldn't shoot these soft bullets anywhere near that fast in one of my guns.
 
I used to load them with a bit of shoulder out and enough crimp to snug the case mouth to the bullet ... its all you can do really.
While I could reduce leading with this one, i could never eliminate it
 
Thanks guys. I've seen the recommended OAL in the Hornady manual, but had no idea of where dimension ends up on on the knurled part or where the taper begins. I'll wait to get them here, load a few to try and put a light roll crimp on them. I'm not too concerned about reaching high velocity, as these would be just for punching paper. I figure if I can reach equiv. 45ACP energy levels or slightly above, I'll be happy. I'm guessing that will be about 825-875fps or so. If they lead at that level, then I have to wonder what the heck they're good for. Maybe fishing sinkers?:eek:
 
Mags or Specials?

In magnums I've loaded 7.0 grains Unique and they were lazer accurate in a 7.5" Super Blackhawk. I roll crimp into the knurling.

Dan
 
Just a hint here if I may. Don't get to used to those bullets as it seems they are getting out of the lead business. :rolleyes: I contacted them last week about some 32WC's and they are no longer made. Could be just that bullet but it seemed to me they were referring to all their lead bullets. Just not enough call or profit any more. Just saying. :p:mad:
 
Im loading some of them now. Hornady #4431 240 gr SWCHP.
I use 7.0 231 and roll crimp as I would a magnum. 1.690" OAL in .44 mag brass.
Its a nice 850 fps accurate load in my 6.5" 629 Classic.
No problem with leading.
Jim
Edit. Correction on OAL. 1.610" This puts the crimp on the upper bearing suface of the bullet with about .060" above the crimp.
 
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I load the non-HP with 700x and no crimp at all. They have good neck tension. I've had no problems that way, and they are very accurate from my Blackhawk. I have not had any leading issues with them. The dry lube is kind of messy, but I guess some swaged bullets are worse.
 
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I use the Hornady SWC....

I use the Hornady SWC in the .38. As far as I know the .45 bullets of similar design have a knurled bearing surface with a dry lube already applied that seems to do a good job as long as velocities are kept low. I'd use a very light roll crimp near the shoulder. Bullets backing out shouldn't be a problem with target loads and I'd adjust the crimp only if they did back out on firing.

Hornady (and Speer) can sell their swaged lead bullets in common calibers for serious target shooting because they are very well made that somewhat justifies the price that is somewhat higher than cast bullets of the same size.
 
jimbo728 said:
Im loading some of them now. Hornady #4431 240 gr SWCHP.
I use 7.0 231 and roll crimp as I would a magnum. 1.690" OAL in .44 mag brass.
Its a nice 850 fps accurate load in my 6.5" 629 Classic.
No problem with leading.
Jim
Edit. Correction on OAL. 1.610" This puts the crimp on the upper bearing suface of the bullet with about .060" above the crimp.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Jim. I have some HP38 squirreled away that I'll put to some use. Your results are exactly where I'd like to end up with.
 
Springer
Ive loaded these with as little as 5gr of 231. They are slow but work well for plinking fun. My old Hornady 4th edition shows a starting load at 6.5 grains of 231.
I use 7.0 gr because sometimes my .44 serves in my Alamo.
Jim
 
J. R. WEEMS said:
Just a hint here if I may. Don't get to used to those bullets as it seems they are getting out of the lead business. :rolleyes: I contacted them last week about some 32WC's and they are no longer made. Could be just that bullet but it seemed to me they were referring to all their lead bullets. Just not enough call or profit any more. Just saying. :p:mad:
Click to expand...

looks to me like they just dropped 32 cal ... 38 cal on up is listed and there seems to be more offerings catering to cowboy action shooting.
 
Swaged bullet

I had serious leading issues with swaged bullets.
I would not load them
My muzzle velocity was right around 850 too.
Should have been ok.
 
drunion said:
I had serious leading issues with swaged bullets.
I would not load them
My muzzle velocity was right around 850 too.
Should have been ok.
Click to expand...

Never could get them to not lead. Through powder choice and additional lube, I reduced the issue some, but never really solved it.
Then came the coatings and I never looked back.
I suppose I could toss them into a pot and cast them for coating, which absolutely would work ... but thats kinda cheating :D
 
Here's a load I use in my S&W 29, it's one of the new ones with the EDM rifling so the wax check helped big time.

Bullet: Hornady 240 gr. SWCHP & CF Ventures
Powder: Hodgdon HP-38 6.7 grs.
Primer: Federal 150
Case: Winchester .44 Magnum
LOAL: 1.610
Comments: Very accurate! No leading either!

The wax checks add a step but they do the job. I even use them in my .475 Linebaugh!

475LinebaughCasewithCFVenturesandLeeBullet.jpg
 
elpac3, just curious you understand, but where would one find a taper crimp die for this .44spl/.44mag caliber? BTW, I called Hornady & asked them if they might provide a .45 Colt version of this bullet, but they said there's not much call for it, so I have to use the .454", 255gr cowboy bullets. jd45
 
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