Any Risks to Shooting Jackets Without the Lead Core?

[Silver Jack Hammer]

I was given a box of loaded .44 mag cartridges with J-word boolits. Pulling the boolits with a kinetic boolit puller caused about 20 of the lead cores to shed their jackets leaving their jackets crimped in the charged .44 mag cases. The jackets will not come out with pliers, I ruined a few cars trying. Anybody see any danger in firing the cartridges with jackets only out of my SBH? My intent is to salvage the nickel Federal .44 mag cases for future reloading.

[randyrat]

I don't think you can hurt anything, the projectile is lighter than before. I take it the original powder is still in there locked in by the jacket. Check for obstruction in barrel between each shot.

You could slide some bird shot inside and glue it shut and shoot for fun, Snake rounds.

[slughammer]

Sounds like there is a corrosion issue. I would be Leary to trust the brass for 44 mag pressures. (I've seen slight corrosion split 44spl at a much lower pressure) 1 box of brass ....better luck next time

[bouncer50]

If I was to try that I would look down the barrel every time I shot one. To make sure the J-word did not stick in the barrel.

[SOFMatchstaff]

Run the rounds back through a sizing die with no decapping rod installed, It will size the case and the jacket down and they will almost fall out. carbide ring types give the best results in this application, run in just far enough to equal the seating depth.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

SOFMatchstaff, You're advise proved to be medicine that cured the ailment. Once through the sizer die and the J's were able to be pulled like bad teeth.

Slughammer, a careful examination did note some suspicious possible corrosion. The discolouration is white-ish. Not having a lot of experience with nickel cases I'll see how these hold up after the first charge, and the first charges will be a little light. I don't intend to use these cases regularly, I just wanted nickel cases to denote they are other than unusual loads.