What is the purpose for 1 or 2 cannelures on a bullet?

mikenbarb · August 18, 2008, 10:39 AM

I have seen that some bullets have two cannelures instead of one. Is there a reason for them to have two of them. Is it for different seating depths? I dont get it.

WIL TERRY · August 18, 2008, 01:56 PM

Mostly...

Loader9 · August 18, 2008, 02:26 PM

You'll find that on some bullets for pistol and rifle cartridges. The 44 caliber comes to mind first. Some have the double cannelure for the pistol loads and another cannelure for the 444 Marlin. So you're correct about various seating depths but for different applications using the same bullets.

DEDON45 · August 18, 2008, 05:13 PM

As another poster said, it's to accomodate different seating depths, often with cartridges that are commonly chambered in rifles and pistols... .44Mag, for me, was the first place I saw this, with a Hornady 300 grain XTP (I think Speer's 300 grain is the same way). The manual stated which situation called for seating to which cannelure.

mikenbarb · August 18, 2008, 08:48 PM

I was wondering because I got some 30 caliber 128gr. armor piercing bullets that have 2 cannelures. Their weird because they have a nickle color to the jackets. I have no idea what their from or for but im gonna load them and shoot em up.

nitesite9 · August 21, 2008, 08:08 PM

The Hornady .357 180-gr XTP bullet has two cannelures; the lower one for standard .357 Magnum cases (and pressures) and the upper is for .357 Maximum with the longer cylinder.

August 18, 2008, 10:39 AM	#1
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	What is the purpose for 1 or 2 cannelures on a bullet? I have seen that some bullets have two cannelures instead of one. Is there a reason for them to have two of them. Is it for different seating depths? I dont get it. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

August 18, 2008, 01:56 PM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	Your Second Question Is Correct. Mostly...

August 18, 2008, 08:48 PM	#5
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	I was wondering because I got some 30 caliber 128gr. armor piercing bullets that have 2 cannelures. Their weird because they have a nickle color to the jackets. I have no idea what their from or for but im gonna load them and shoot em up. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

August 21, 2008, 08:08 PM	#6
nitesite9 Member Join Date: February 4, 2008 Location: Morgan County, Alabama Posts: 29	The Hornady .357 180-gr XTP bullet has two cannelures; the lower one for standard .357 Magnum cases (and pressures) and the upper is for .357 Maximum with the longer cylinder. __________________ Deputy Sheriff 1983-1985 Regular Army 1985-1993 E-7 NRA Member

August 18, 2008, 02:26 PM	#3
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	You'll find that on some bullets for pistol and rifle cartridges. The 44 caliber comes to mind first. Some have the double cannelure for the pistol loads and another cannelure for the 444 Marlin. So you're correct about various seating depths but for different applications using the same bullets.

August 18, 2008, 05:13 PM	#4
DEDON45 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Posts: 278	As another poster said, it's to accomodate different seating depths, often with cartridges that are commonly chambered in rifles and pistols... .44Mag, for me, was the first place I saw this, with a Hornady 300 grain XTP (I think Speer's 300 grain is the same way). The manual stated which situation called for seating to which cannelure.