NEI - SSK design, 310 gr. .44 cal.
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
My shooting buddy and I had a four cavity mould in that design. It's accuracy was just so-so in our guns.
He was a Lee distributor and asked me to design a 300 gr. high performance bullet for the .44 magnum. He bought 20 molds and Lee paid for the tooling costs. Of course, this was before we had any custom or group buy bullet molds.
The result was the present day Lee 310 gr. RF gas check bullet. Lee tried to discourage us (stating that it didn't "look like a bullet"). I insisted and we prevailed. The idea was a high performance bullet mold that "Joe Everyman" could afford to buy.
It sold so well that Lee added the bullet to their regular inventory. They later added a copy to their .45 line. As it happened, it turned out to be the most accurate bullet we had ever seen for the .44 Magnum from a revolver at 100 yards. I hesitate to mention the groups that several got at 100 yards, as I don't want to be called a liar. We did not try this at further distances as our local range is limited to a max of 100 yards.
What we wanted was maximum punch at 100 yards or so, we got that. The accuracy realized was a bonus. That's the upside. The downside is a heavy bullet, at full velocity, such as this, is hard on the model 29 Smith. They were a bit "tender", in those days.
Further, a 250, Keith is all I needed for handgun deer to my sure range of 125 yards. On the other hand, if you are hunting big bear or Elk, as an example, you could not do better than that Lee 310 RF gas checked bullet.
As it so happened, I was the first person to take a head of big game with that bullet. It was a nice 10 point Whitetail taken at the "extreme range of 25 yards". Only his head and neck was exposed, so I broke his neck. DRT!
Fwiw
Dale
He was a Lee distributor and asked me to design a 300 gr. high performance bullet for the .44 magnum. He bought 20 molds and Lee paid for the tooling costs. Of course, this was before we had any custom or group buy bullet molds.
The result was the present day Lee 310 gr. RF gas check bullet. Lee tried to discourage us (stating that it didn't "look like a bullet"). I insisted and we prevailed. The idea was a high performance bullet mold that "Joe Everyman" could afford to buy.
It sold so well that Lee added the bullet to their regular inventory. They later added a copy to their .45 line. As it happened, it turned out to be the most accurate bullet we had ever seen for the .44 Magnum from a revolver at 100 yards. I hesitate to mention the groups that several got at 100 yards, as I don't want to be called a liar. We did not try this at further distances as our local range is limited to a max of 100 yards.
What we wanted was maximum punch at 100 yards or so, we got that. The accuracy realized was a bonus. That's the upside. The downside is a heavy bullet, at full velocity, such as this, is hard on the model 29 Smith. They were a bit "tender", in those days.
Further, a 250, Keith is all I needed for handgun deer to my sure range of 125 yards. On the other hand, if you are hunting big bear or Elk, as an example, you could not do better than that Lee 310 RF gas checked bullet.
As it so happened, I was the first person to take a head of big game with that bullet. It was a nice 10 point Whitetail taken at the "extreme range of 25 yards". Only his head and neck was exposed, so I broke his neck. DRT!
Fwiw
Dale
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AKbushman51
New Member
Ben- Congrats, You'll get plenty of penetration with that beast. I've had mine for 25+yrs, bought it when NEI first came out with that SSK design. Been used on a couple of Big Browns in Kodiak, and Ketchikan. Mine were running right at 1250 fps out of Ruger SBH with my load. Very Accurate, and hits like sledge hammer. bushman
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Ben ..do I detect a slight bevel base on those?
To all;
I just reread the above. It sounds like I am putting the JDJ bullet down. I did NOT intend that, at all. After all, hand gunners around the world have taken about every head of big game including elephant with it. It just didn't meet my needs at the time, no more.
Dale53
I just reread the above. It sounds like I am putting the JDJ bullet down. I did NOT intend that, at all. After all, hand gunners around the world have taken about every head of big game including elephant with it. It just didn't meet my needs at the time, no more.
Dale53
AKbushman51
New Member
Ben- Mine when cast of 50/50 (coww/cable sheath) came in at 319gr+/- .5gr. Quicksylver on my mould there was a slight taper .432 at top band .433 at the base.
I was also watching the NOE group buy discussion on this boolit, as I'd like to cast more than 2 at a time. I have a few friends who use this boolit and are always wanting more to shoot. bushman
I was also watching the NOE group buy discussion on this boolit, as I'd like to cast more than 2 at a time. I have a few friends who use this boolit and are always wanting more to shoot. bushman
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A quote from Glen E. Fryxell
" J. D. Jones of SSK Industries designed a series of heavyweight flat-pointed bullets for handgun hunters back in the 1980s. These moulds were made by NEI. The most popular of these was the 320 grain version for the .44 Magnum. The SSK 320 was loaded over 21.0 grains of W296, which delivered 1345 fps, along with excellent accuracy, from the 7 1/2" Ruger SBH. When crimped in the crimp groove, this bullet is just a touch too long to cycle through the Marlin, but single loaded it chambers and shoots very well indeed (delivering excellent accuracy and right at 1600 fps). "
" J. D. Jones of SSK Industries designed a series of heavyweight flat-pointed bullets for handgun hunters back in the 1980s. These moulds were made by NEI. The most popular of these was the 320 grain version for the .44 Magnum. The SSK 320 was loaded over 21.0 grains of W296, which delivered 1345 fps, along with excellent accuracy, from the 7 1/2" Ruger SBH. When crimped in the crimp groove, this bullet is just a touch too long to cycle through the Marlin, but single loaded it chambers and shoots very well indeed (delivering excellent accuracy and right at 1600 fps). "
Missionary
Well-Known Member
Greetings
When that will get your attention when you touch it off in a light Handy rifle.
Last time up was shooting some 285 - 340's in a 336 Marlin JES rebored to 405 JES caliber 41 on a 444 case). With each 15 grain increment of bullet that rifle was getting well imprinted into my 150 pound frame. Even off cross sticks it got unpleasant once the bullets weighed over 325. Slip on recoil pad sure helped the pain factor.
Mike in Peru
When that will get your attention when you touch it off in a light Handy rifle.
Last time up was shooting some 285 - 340's in a 336 Marlin JES rebored to 405 JES caliber 41 on a 444 case). With each 15 grain increment of bullet that rifle was getting well imprinted into my 150 pound frame. Even off cross sticks it got unpleasant once the bullets weighed over 325. Slip on recoil pad sure helped the pain factor.
Mike in Peru
I have a camo , H & R , Handi in 44 Mag.
Basically what I had in mind when I bought this SSK mould, was to
shoot it out of this rifle barrel.
I use the rifle here in the Alabama deer hardwoods.
Shots usually 35 - 70 yards.
The Handi - rifle has a 1.5 X 6 Burris on it.
This is a fine deer rifle. Not a 150 yard plus rifle, but then again
that is not what I planned for the rifle either .
The rifle has shoot well with the 429640 style HP bullets sized to .431"
Tonight , I loaded 20 rounds with the SSK, 325 gr. cast bullet to test in this rifle.
The SSK bullets are sized .4325"
The charge is 20 grs. of W-W 296
With W-W Large Pistol Primers standard / mag.
30,000 psi.
A moderate crimp is on the cartridges.
I'm anxious to shoot these.
Basically what I had in mind when I bought this SSK mould, was to
shoot it out of this rifle barrel.
I use the rifle here in the Alabama deer hardwoods.
Shots usually 35 - 70 yards.
The Handi - rifle has a 1.5 X 6 Burris on it.
This is a fine deer rifle. Not a 150 yard plus rifle, but then again
that is not what I planned for the rifle either .
The rifle has shoot well with the 429640 style HP bullets sized to .431"
Tonight , I loaded 20 rounds with the SSK, 325 gr. cast bullet to test in this rifle.
The SSK bullets are sized .4325"
The charge is 20 grs. of W-W 296
With W-W Large Pistol Primers standard / mag.
30,000 psi.
A moderate crimp is on the cartridges.
I'm anxious to shoot these.
