[.41 magnum man]

I just ordered some .41 magnum lead/silver bullets. (I have a werewolf problem ;) ) .41 bullets are suppose to measure .410 but these measure .412. They guy I ordered them from said they would work fine, and even checked 3 references to be sure. I figure he should know, and I ordered them, but I just thought I'd run it by you experts here. I know it is only .002 difference, but what kind of tolerances are allowable? I guess the lead will be more likely to conform to the barrel. I've been reloading a lot for my Blackhawk, and of course, I owe much of what I've learned to you guys. I am still new though, so if this is a dumb question, I'd rather be dumb than holding a blowed up gun! :D

[PotatoJudge]

The size should be fine. Are they novelty bullets or is it a small % of silver for hardness?

[FieroCDSP]

Cast Lead bullets will often be .002" larger than the same caliber jacketed. This is what gives lead bullets their better inherent accuracy. They fill the grooves in the bore and make a perfect seal. The trick is to match the hardness with your pressure/velocity to prevent leading.

[steveno]

I tried some .412 cast bullets in my blackhawk. it has some tighter than normal chambers and some of the loaded rounds would not completely chamber. they worked just fine in my S & W M-57 so that is what I shot them up in. .411 cast bullets work just fine in both revolver. now I just make sure that I get the .411 bullets

[.41 magnum man]

Hey thanks guys. I hope they work in my gun. I ordered 500 of them!

PotatoJudge, the silver is for hardness.

I just bought some Trail Boss powder to try out, but the data for 41 is pretty limited. These bullets are 215 grain SWC, and all I can find is data for a 215 LFN bullet with a minimum grain of 4.5 and maximum grain at 6.5 Will this data be fine for the bullets I am getting for my Blackhawk? Also, if anyone knows, I have been reloading 17.5 gr. of 2400 powder with .210 gr JFN and .210 JHP. Could that data for the Trail Boss be used for those bullets too?

[Walkalong]

6.7 to 7.0 Grs. of N330 and 210 Gr. X-treme's with a firm taper crimp works very well in the .41 Mag for reduced loads. (800ish FPS range)

700X and Red Dot should also work very well, but I have not tried them yet. :) Especially shooting lead.

Ideally your throats should be .001 to .003 over your bore size. Lead bullets need to be sized to fit your throats (not your bore) for best accuracy and less chance of leading. THAT is why it is best to have throats .001 to .003 over your bore because we want our bullets to be .001 to .002 over bore size. This is the perfect senario. Bore .410 - Throats .412 - bullets .4115 AND just the right hardness to upset at the pressure you are shooting them at so they will obturate and fill (seal) the throats from hot, high pressure, high velocity gases getting past the bullet and "cutting" lead from the bullet depositing it in your throats, forcing cone, and barrel and hard enough to handle the velocity they are shot at with enough lube for the trip down the bore.

Naturally it does not usually work out just right but close enough to get good results. It does not have to be the perfect senario. Thank goodness. :)

[Fatelvis]

Just drop one of the unloaded bullets in your cylinder, and see if it falls through. A properly sized bullet should need coaxing to fall from the bottom of your revolver's cylinder. The same diameter, or .001" over cylinder throat diameter is what you're looking for. Have fun!

[Walkalong]

That's too easy Fatelvis. :rolleyes: :)

[.41 magnum man]

Hey, I like easy! But I like technical too. Thanks for the info Walkalong, and Fatelvis.

Well, if I may ask one more question about these bullets. I have never shot lead bullets before, but I understand they need to be lubed. Do the bullets come lubed or will I have to do that? And if I do, what do you recommend, and how do I do it?

[Fatelvis]

Most cast bullets bought from bullet companies come sized and lubed. You can tell if they're lubed as there will be colored band(s) around the shank of the bullet, where the lube is contained in the lube grooves. These grooves are designed into the bullet, to retain the necessary bullet lube. Sometimes companies will use a dry lube, or Alox, that is a little more difficult to detect. If in doubt, ask the Guy you bought them from!

[bugs100]

7grs to 8grs of Unique is a nice load for 41mags. I load all of mine with 7.2grs.