[Sport45]

I have of late; wandered into the world of "Magnum".
Starting with .44 Magnum (Ruger Super Redhawk w Leupold 4x)
Nice. I could never handle the wobble magnification of a 4x handgun scope though. I've shot a 2x and that was plenty for me.

I have been looking in vain for semi-jacketed bullets in 44 Magnum [ 240 grains for a start] with (what I recognize as) crimp grooves for my pistol.

Because they are Magnum and are likely to be going fairly fast ( => 1000 fps); I wanted jacketed to reduce leading.
Jacketed is the safe bet, but many shoot cast at velocities to 1400fps.


I see pictures of some (Magnatech and Remington) that appear to have one or more (two in the case of Magnatech) "Knurled Bands" around the semi-jacket ( I guess these are what are often refered to as "soft Point jacketed")

Is this ( the knurled bands) what you are supposed to roll your crimp into?
If more then one.....which one ??
Bullets with two crimp grooves allow them to be used in different cartridges. One groove in this case would be used for .44special while the other is used for .44mag. Use the one that gives the correct overall length. This is common also for 30 caliber bullets which can be used in .30-06 and .308

You DO roll crimp into the bullets for Magnum revolver reloads - don't you ??
Certainly. But only crimp enough to prevent bullet jump. Overcrimp reduces brass life and doesn't help accuracy. Slower powders like H-110 require a firm crimp for good ignition.

Am I going to find the same situation when I start looking for .357 Magnum bullets?
Probably, but 38 caliber bullets seem to be available in many more flavors.

I am also going to reload some .44 S&W Special for the Redhawk.
I had intended to use the same 240 semi jacket Bullet ( If I ever find one).
No problem with that. With fast powders like Titegroup you can load .44special in .44mag brass without problem. Just start a half-grain or so above minimum to compensate for extra case capacity. Expect them to hit way above point of aim at any distance as the slower bullet will ride the bore for more of your recoil reaction.

While I am at it....
Is there one single powder "reasonable" to use for the entire range of reloads...
Low end .44 S&W Special ...to HIgh End....and then on through Low end .44 Magnum... up to High End .44 Magnum ??
No. The .44special loads will need a fast powder (Titegroup, WW231, WST, Bullseye, to name a few). Low end .44mag loads can be had with a fast powder, but the real boomers with heavy bullets will require a slow powder. H-110, WW296, and Lil'gun are top performers for this. A medium-fast powder like Unique might be used for all, but is is a compromise. Heck, you can find a load for Unique for just about every handgun cartridge, but it is not the best load in many.

TIA
I hope this was of some help.