.41 Mag Association

The problem with Blue Dot wasn't because it was dangerous - it was because it eroded forcing cones like a cutting torch.
 
In any caliber when used with very light bullets at high velocities. I completely burned the forcing cone out of a brand new GP 100 in .357 using Blue Dot with 110/125 gr. bullets with a load that came from the Speer No 11 manual. It was perfectly safe as far as pressure but it would cut steel like a torch. Speer dropped those light bullet Blue Dot loads in their next manual and I never played with lightweight bullets again. I also never used Blue Dot powder for anything after that. There are so many more suitable powders out there. Blue Dot is actually a powder for magnum shotshells.
 
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Is anyone in the same boat as I am?
I put off getting a Henry big boy steel to get other guns for too long, now they have stopped making them. I knew better.
 
I took one of my 3” Model 657s out for some practice. It had been awhile since I had shot that wee beastie. I normally shoot 250 grain lead with a moderate charge of Unique and it is quite pleasant. Instead I grabbed the 210 grain XTP over 22 grains of H110 loads I normally use while hunting with a 6” Classic Hunter. Wow, what a wake up call. My 10 year old son was impressed; he said every shot made the ground shake under his feet! I sure do like this caliber.
 
I don’t know. Seems they dropped the steel version from the line up when they introduced the side loading gates the other day. Looks like they still make them with the brass receiver but I much prefer the steel. I could probably still find one but it’s not in the cards to shell out done a new rifle right now.
Hopefully marlin will offer them when they are back at it under ruger
 
Charlie98 said:
A very good friend of mine had one of those... and offered it to me when he was selling off his .41 stuffs... I said 'No way!' ... although I admit I was tempted. But I did take him up on the offer of his .41 Dan Wesson!
Click to expand...

You should have grabbed the 3" 657 when you had the chance, they're great guns.
 
I also ordered one of the Henry 16.5" Carbines too late only to be told there were no more...that said, I understand that they are coming out with the side loading gate so hopefully when all is settled the .41 will be back again.

If you don't want to chance it I saw a 20" over on GunBroker yesterday...it was the only one...

Those 3" 657s now start at $1200 and work up...

DR505...is your Classic Hunter a 657-2? If it is the serial number "HTR"?
 
Regarding the S&W 3" 657 - if anyone ever hands you one to shoot BE SURE your thumb is COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WAY way of the cylinder release. When the release comes back in recoil it will try to tear your thumb off. Trust me on this.....
 
Drail said:
Regarding the S&W 3" 657 - if anyone ever hands you one to shoot BE SURE your thumb is COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WAY way of the cylinder release. When the release comes back in recoil it will try to tear your thumb off. Trust me on this.....
Click to expand...

Those little devils are a might sporty. I usually shoot a 250 grain LSWC loaded with a moderate amount of Unique for an easy shooting load. I had my 210 grain XTP with 22 grains of H110 load with me, so shot a cylinder or two of those the other day...that was a wake-up for sure. I am glad I always follow the same advice you gave out above.


49886314523_9976e41c82_o.jpg
 
Nice...

I finally had to letter mine after not being able to find anything out about the HTR prefix... Turns out that the first 300 Hunters had the HTR prefix but no explanation why. It was also returned to the factory and fluted cylinder installed.
 
RJM52 said:
Nice...

I finally had to letter mine after not being able to find anything out about the HTR prefix... Turns out that the first 300 Hunters had the HTR prefix but no explanation why. It was also returned to the factory and fluted cylinder installed.
Click to expand...

I had one of those... 657-2, HTR029x... so within your 300 piece SN range. It remains The One Pistol I Regret Selling after all these years. Back in 1993, I saw one at an LGS, but had cold feet and passed on it. A few days later, when I realized what I saw, I went back... and it was gone. About 2 months later, at a not so local GS, there was another! I didn't hesitate this time. I purchased mine in OCT of 1993 for $440... those were the days, right?

Mine turned out to be a bit of a disappointement... it shot terribly, and spit lead everwhere. On further examination, the barrel (at the forcing cone) looked like it had been cut with a hacksaw, and crooked at that. I sent it back to S&W, they either cleaned it up, or rebarreled it, and I'll swear they cleaned up the trigger, because when I got it back, the first 5 rounds went into one hole... and I was just casually shooting offhand, not expecting much.

yOQLvSsm.jpg

Mine came with Hogue monogrips, which were horrible. I put a set of Pachy Grippers on it for the heavy loads. I also purchased an Original Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster to carry it in... which handled the big pistol very well.

4NqNhDum.jpg
 
orionengnr said:
Count me in. I had a 6" M57 and then found a 4". Sold the 6" and regret it.
But I still have the 4", and it's not going anywhere. :)

I like Missouri Bullet's 215 gr SWC with 8 gr Green Dot (plinking loads) or 18 gr 296 (real loads).

.41 Mag is my second most carried and shot revolver cartridge, after .45 LC. If I could only have one, I honestly don't know which way I'd go.:)
ETA: subscribing.
Click to expand...
Thanks orionengr, for the Green Dot idea. I’m going to try that out.
 
Nice rig Dennis, I can dig the Dirty Harold style!

Apparently, I possess “ Insufficient PRIVILEGES” necessary to post in an item in the components sell/ trade area. Can anyone inform me about what must be done in order to obtain the proper credentials?

How many unicorn horns will it take?LOL
 
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With any bullet weight from 200-250 grains, Longshot is a terrific powder in the 41 mag for all but the hottest loads. Its only drawback is that with lead bullets, it's very smokey, so for indoor shooting I use plated or jacketed bullets with it. 8½ to 9 grains seems to be a sweet spot for accuracy, giving between 1000 and 1100 fps, depending on bullet weight.
 
11MikeMike said:
Apparently, I possess “ Insufficient PRIVILEGES” necessary to post in an item in the components sell/ trade area. Can anyone inform me about what must be done in order to obtain the proper credentials?

How many unicorn horns will it take?LOL
Click to expand...

30 days in the hole, brother! You should be good to go by next week.
 
I worked up a plinking load with IMR Green today. Light and accurate. Rem cases, CCI Mag Primers, 215Gr LSWC, 7.2 Gr. IMR Green, 1.59 OAL, Moderate crimp.

View attachment 962415
This powder works ok with 45acp as well. A few months ago this powder was plentiful, but I’m not seeing it now.
 
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...GREEN....have never heard of that one before...

Got to do a little shooting today at a friends place. Only brought one gun, a 1977 vintage 4 5/8" Blackhawk...

One bag had some 220 Keith bullets and the other 210 LaserCast...both powered by 8.0 grains of UNIQUE... Trigger is one of the best I have ever had on a NM BH...when you miss you know it is your fault...

Bob
 
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