Are 1/2 copper jacketed 240gr 44 SWC bullets still available anywhere?
- Thread starter hassiman
- Start date
I much prefer them to all lead SWC bullets. They were all I used to load.
Register to hide this ad
stu1ritter
US Veteran
I know the ones that Speer used to make have fallen out of favor due to jacket separation on the way out of the barrel. I have a full box of the 160gr. (.357) half jacketed Speer and I won't use them.
Stu
Stu
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I know this doesn't answer your question but; Have you tried a 240 gr SWC cast bullet with gas check. An inexpensive one is Lee bullet mould "C429-240 SWC" I don't think they are good in a Dessert Eagle, but otherwise they are non leading in Revolvers, pistols and carbines!
(I know you aren't suppose to use cast bullets in any gas operated system, But I have used gas checked bullets in M-1 Carbines since 1980, without any problems! And the M-1 gas system is as hard to clean as a D.E.!)
But 240 grain Lead SWC's are what go in 44's. Kind of an American tradition, like baseball, hot dogs, & apple pie!
For a Medium Velocity 44 Mag load I use 8 grains of Unique, WLP primer, mag brass and a Lyman 44 SWC bullet (No GC) out of a 2 5/8" 629 with very good results! I no longer have a 44 Special, but used the same bullet in a 3" Taurus in special brass!
Ivan
(I know you aren't suppose to use cast bullets in any gas operated system, But I have used gas checked bullets in M-1 Carbines since 1980, without any problems! And the M-1 gas system is as hard to clean as a D.E.!)
But 240 grain Lead SWC's are what go in 44's. Kind of an American tradition, like baseball, hot dogs, & apple pie!
For a Medium Velocity 44 Mag load I use 8 grains of Unique, WLP primer, mag brass and a Lyman 44 SWC bullet (No GC) out of a 2 5/8" 629 with very good results! I no longer have a 44 Special, but used the same bullet in a 3" Taurus in special brass!
Ivan
If you watch gunbroker or other online sites you often can find oddball components pretty cheap. I have a few 200 grain Speer JSWCHP in 41 - they're just fine, but not spectacular on jackrabbits or coyotes.
rockquarry
Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 8,493
- Reaction score
- 10,417
Perhaps the only way to get half-jacketed bullets is to make your own, a process that probably doesn't appeal to very many. I've done this, and it's a lot of trouble, but you can wind up with a bullet that will shoot as accurately as any commercial offering. As I recall, there was no money saving involved in swaging half-jacketed bullets. In fact, the cost may have been slightly higher than factory jacketed bullets.
I believe the potential for jacket separation with the Speer half-jacketed bullets only occurred when these bullets were fired at very low velocities.
I believe the potential for jacket separation with the Speer half-jacketed bullets only occurred when these bullets were fired at very low velocities.
Jacket separation of Speer's half-jacketed swaged lead semi-wadcutter bullets typically occurred when loaded to low pressures and low velocities. Speer discontinued these bullets a long time ago, but they still turn up on auction sites, gun shows, and even gun shops that sell reloading supplies.
You can make your own half-jacketed swaged lead bullets, but I really don't think it is worth the effort. Gas checked cast lead or the polymer coated cast lead bullets are better options.
You can make your own half-jacketed swaged lead bullets, but I really don't think it is worth the effort. Gas checked cast lead or the polymer coated cast lead bullets are better options.
The Norseman
Member
Three Quarter Jacket
Nosler 44 caliber 240gr JSP (.429 dia) # 44868.
See picture.
Not the half copper jacket your looking for, but the
closest I could get.
I bought these in August 2013. My intentions were to
Reload them for Bear in Wyoming. I ended up using
Cast Hardened Lead Semi Wad Cutters.
Not sure what you need the Half Jacketed for, but
thought I'd throw this out there. I'm not sure these
are made anymore.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.
Nosler 44 caliber 240gr JSP (.429 dia) # 44868.
See picture.
Not the half copper jacket your looking for, but the
closest I could get.
I bought these in August 2013. My intentions were to
Reload them for Bear in Wyoming. I ended up using
Cast Hardened Lead Semi Wad Cutters.
Not sure what you need the Half Jacketed for, but
thought I'd throw this out there. I'm not sure these
are made anymore.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.
Attachments
I don't know if the old Speer half jacket bullets ever separated on the way down range but.........
my .357 160 gr SWC design would drop large Nevada Mule deer
and the only case/lead separation came when I decided to........
disassemble a load that I was not happy with.
The lead came out in the "Hammer" but the copper jacket was still inside the case.
I tried to salvage the case but no use, it was trashed.
Once this bullet is loaded, shoot it ........ if you still have any.
my .357 160 gr SWC design would drop large Nevada Mule deer
and the only case/lead separation came when I decided to........
disassemble a load that I was not happy with.
The lead came out in the "Hammer" but the copper jacket was still inside the case.
I tried to salvage the case but no use, it was trashed.
Once this bullet is loaded, shoot it ........ if you still have any.
Who would be a source for good hard cast 44 mag SWC bullets? I no longer have the space to cast my own... I think I would like to do a a 44 Special P+ load in a 44 Mag case that will shoot comfortably, cleanly and accurately in my 3" Magnaported S&W Trail Boss.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
The Norseman
Member
Cast Boolits I use
Oregon Cast Boolits (Laser Cast); I shoot a lot of these.
5% off and free shipping.
Montana Bullet Works; High Quality. Different Harnesses.
Chey Cast Bullets; High Quality.
Lighting Ammo; High Quality, sells in 100 count boxes.
Oregon Cast Boolits (Laser Cast); I shoot a lot of these.
5% off and free shipping.
Montana Bullet Works; High Quality. Different Harnesses.
Chey Cast Bullets; High Quality.
Lighting Ammo; High Quality, sells in 100 count boxes.
Attachments
Qc Pistolero
Member
I was using them in hot .44Mag loads in the early '70s.They've taught me 2 things:how to scrub a leaded bore and how to swear and cuss!
I now shoot cast in my heavy loads and have forgotten how to get a sore elbow at scrubbing a bore and almost forgot how to swear and cuss...but it is for some other reasons!
I now shoot cast in my heavy loads and have forgotten how to get a sore elbow at scrubbing a bore and almost forgot how to swear and cuss...but it is for some other reasons!
Rosco Shooter
Member
Hassiman, You might want to try Oregon Trail 240 grain hard cast SWC bullets. I've used them in my Model 629 with great success.
If you want a good jacketed bullet, at a reasonable price, get some of Zero Bullet's jacketed 240gr bullets, either JSP or JHP.
They're $137/1000 & shipping is free with 1000 or more bullets. If you don't want 1000 you can buy (500) of the .44s & (500) of another bullet you like or want to try & the adjusted cost is still at the 1000 qty rate, along with free shipping still.
Don't know if your Trail Boss has the oversized throats but the Zero .44's run .431" diameter & some like them especially for that.
Roze Distribution: 44 Mag 240 Gr JSP $ per 1000
.
They're $137/1000 & shipping is free with 1000 or more bullets. If you don't want 1000 you can buy (500) of the .44s & (500) of another bullet you like or want to try & the adjusted cost is still at the 1000 qty rate, along with free shipping still.
Don't know if your Trail Boss has the oversized throats but the Zero .44's run .431" diameter & some like them especially for that.
Roze Distribution: 44 Mag 240 Gr JSP $ per 1000
.
