.44 Mag bullets...why the size difference?

wpcexpert · June 20, 2008, 12:04 AM

I've been loading .44 mag for several months now. I just really just started worring about that the Hornady XTP's I've got are .430 dia. Most of the rest of the bullet makers for a jacketed bullet are .429. Hornady only makes .430 with a jacketed bullet.

I started low as always and worked up to the max load for a Nosler and Speer .429 size, 240gr bullet. No signs of case over pressure. Using H110.

I'm shooting a Ruger SBBisley. Should I be worried about damage to the pistol/rifle (Marlin) I'm going to be loading for? What's the reason behind Hornady only making .430 bullets for the .44 Mag?

Thanks guys. If the subject has been previously covered, please direct me to the thread. Cause I went thru about 5 pages and didn't see anything. I probably just missed it. It seems you can't bring anything up that hasn't been covered before. Just finding it the key.

SL1 · June 20, 2008, 08:03 AM

WPCexpert,

Don't worry about the 0.001" diameter difference between Hornady and other manufacturers.

On the other hand, there can be other differences in bullet construction that do make a difference in pressure for bullets of the same weight. These include where the cannelure is located on the bullet (how much space INSIDE the case is filled by the bullet), how hard the lead alloy is in the bullet's core, how thick the jacket is, etc. etc.

So, it is best to use data for a specific bullet when handloading, rather than just substitute one for the other in a recipe.

But, in reality, there is often no data for the bullet you want with the powder you want. So, substitutions are often made.

When substituting, you should go down to the start load and carefully work-up from there. This should keep you safe enough in a strong gun, such as the ones designed for the .44 mag. But, for old guns designed for low-pressure cartridges like the .45 Long Colt, substitutions can get you into trouble before there are any pressure signs when working-up the load. So, sticking to pressure-tested data for weak guns is a good idea.

SL1

WESHOOT2 · June 20, 2008, 11:29 AM

Good post, SL1.

June 20, 2008, 12:04 AM	#1
wpcexpert Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 791	.44 Mag bullets...why the size difference? I've been loading .44 mag for several months now. I just really just started worring about that the Hornady XTP's I've got are .430 dia. Most of the rest of the bullet makers for a jacketed bullet are .429. Hornady only makes .430 with a jacketed bullet. I started low as always and worked up to the max load for a Nosler and Speer .429 size, 240gr bullet. No signs of case over pressure. Using H110. I'm shooting a Ruger SBBisley. Should I be worried about damage to the pistol/rifle (Marlin) I'm going to be loading for? What's the reason behind Hornady only making .430 bullets for the .44 Mag? Thanks guys. If the subject has been previously covered, please direct me to the thread. Cause I went thru about 5 pages and didn't see anything. I probably just missed it. It seems you can't bring anything up that hasn't been covered before. Just finding it the key. __________________ When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. - Thomas Jefferson

June 20, 2008, 11:29 AM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	concur: "Work up slow" Good post, SL1. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 20, 2008, 08:03 AM	#2
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	WPCexpert, Don't worry about the 0.001" diameter difference between Hornady and other manufacturers. On the other hand, there can be other differences in bullet construction that do make a difference in pressure for bullets of the same weight. These include where the cannelure is located on the bullet (how much space INSIDE the case is filled by the bullet), how hard the lead alloy is in the bullet's core, how thick the jacket is, etc. etc. So, it is best to use data for a specific bullet when handloading, rather than just substitute one for the other in a recipe. But, in reality, there is often no data for the bullet you want with the powder you want. So, substitutions are often made. When substituting, you should go down to the start load and carefully work-up from there. This should keep you safe enough in a strong gun, such as the ones designed for the .44 mag. But, for old guns designed for low-pressure cartridges like the .45 Long Colt, substitutions can get you into trouble before there are any pressure signs when working-up the load. So, sticking to pressure-tested data for weak guns is a good idea. SL1