Balloon head cases

[rockquarry]

I believe it's in a 1960s Speer book where the capacity and loading data for folded head cases and solid web cases are compared. I think it was .45 Auto Rim , but not positive. I have many old Speer books and the information sometimes runs together (in my mind).

 

[alwslate]

I have a manual from the 60s, Speer I think, that has data for the .45 AR with solid and balloon head cases. Much greater case capacity in the balloon head cases allowed 2400 powder to be used for higher velocity. My old Lyman manual also listed data for both type cases. Just realize that data is not interchangeable between the two.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Very good post and lots of good information in the replies. Thanks.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

About 5 years ago I bought 52 rounds of 44 Special on Gun Broker. They looked really old and I just actually wanted them for the brass. I shot them all up and had 4 or 5 misfires. They were so old that some didn't go off. They were mostly REM-UMC (41) left with one other WRA Co. and a PETERS. I shot them all and recycled the cracked ones. I noticed that they were all Balloon Head cases. I'd never heard of them before. I shoot light loads (5 gr. W-W 231 with 250 gr. soft
lead in my 44 spl and mag revolvers nowadays. I'm going to retire these. Anyone want them?

Rick

 

[David Sinko]

Some years ago I got the bright idea to run .38 S&W brass through my 9mm dies and use 9mm bullets to make a rimmed cartridge for my 940. I had only a few pieces of old .38 S&W brass and the decapping pin kept getting stuck. I don't know if they were balloon head or not. I think I had one newer case which I was able to load without difficulty.

Elmer's heavy .44 Special load used 1.5 grs. more of 2400 in the old balloon head cases than in modern solid head cases. I use the solid head load in my Mountain Lion .44 Magnum and I've often wondered what velocity he got with that older load and how those old cases held up.

 

[Skeet 028]

Someone sold me a gun and 50 rds of old reloaded ammo in 45AR and the same loads in 45 auto...loaded with SWC type lead bullets and 2400(don't remember the amount of powder off the top of my head) but The old S&W had 4 stuck bullets in the bbl. I will hunt them down to see what the load was. . The bbl was split, bent to the left, with 3 bullets visible. I also got 250 44 Russian balloon head cases from the fellow. Mostly Peters...did load a few and shot them in my Ruger 44 Flattop

 

[rwsmith]

Hmmmmmmm?

Are the primer holes in balloon cases smaller than normal? I don't understand why a depriming pin would get stuck on them.