standard 44 remington mag diameters

[plaz]

What are the standard weights and diameters for jacketed and lead 44 remington mag bullets?

[Dutchman]

Like most things "standard" isn't one exact figure. .428"-.429"-.430"-.431" all have a place in .44 Magnum and .44 Special. Typical modern guns are .429"-.430" but that's not chiseled in granite.

Weights can run anywhere from 180 grs to way too heavy 300+ grains. Myself I've maxed out at the historical heavyweight of 255 grs in the form of Lyman 429244. I also used to cast Lyman 429215 but I like 429244 better in the S&W Model 29.

To get a historical grip on .44 caliber you should start with the .44 Henry in the Henry rifle of 1860. Then to the Winchester 1873 in .44-40 WCF and the .44 American, .44 Russian and finally .44 S&W Special. Those are the American standards since 1860.

If you're interested in things .44 in a handgun you should buy a copy of Sixguns by Elmer Keith. Great book.

Dutch

[MtGun44]

+1 on Dutchman.

Lots of variation.

Forced to use one number and one weight, I'd say .429 and 240 gr, but there are a lot
of variations on that, to the point that they are not particularly useful for any purpose.

Bill

[44man]

Depends on the gun. Ruger's like 240 to 330 gr boolits at .430" to .432".
S&W likes 240 to 265 gr and shoots best starting at 250 gr for long range. .430" works fine.
Barrels and throats vary all over the place so you just need to slug your gun.
No .44 mag likes light 180 gr boolits, all they do is go bang unless shot very slow.

[Edubya]

to the point that they are not particularly useful for any purpose.

Bill
Just don't tell the pigs and deer that little tidbit.
I'd rather be armed with a useless.44 with a worthless 240 gr loaded with 22 gr w296 or 110 than a .357 with its maximum load in the woods.:confused:

EW