.41 Mag Powder question

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BullRunBear

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I've noticed this thread for years but didn't follow it for lack of the caliber. Recently, a used NMBH, blued with 6.5" barrel followed me home. The previous owner either coddled it or didn't use it much as it is almost pristine. And the price was too good to let pass. This will be a range toy for paper punching and steel targets only since I don't hunt anymore.

I haven't started loading for it yet but did pick up some Starline brass and I have any powders and primers I might need along with my usual Lee dies.

Question: Has anyone tried the Missouri Bullets 215 grain Keith style SWC, brinell 18, sized .411? Just wondering how fast they can be pushed before leading might occur. The vast majority of my shooting is with cast bullets and Missouri Bullets have always done the job but I seldom load barn burner rounds.

Thanks for any help. This will be the first time in years I've taken on a new caliber and I'm looking forward to it. Now to read 60 pages of comments. :D

Jeff
 
Wow! I'm about half way through the sixty pages of comments and there is a LOT of great information. I'm especially pleased that Unique powder works so well for mid-level loads. (That 8 to 8.5 grain charge is about what I use for comfortable target loads in 45 Colt.) I always have plenty on hand. I've never used 2400 but it should be worth experimenting with it. Maybe this old bear can still learn new stuff.

BTW, I found out that the Missouri Bullets 215 grain SWC gives good results.

Jeff
 
I planned to reload using Alliant 2400 powder since so many people on the thread praise it. I also thought to use it in medium power loads for 357 and 44 magnum reloads, around 1,200 fps muzzle velocity in a Blackhawk. There is no 2400 powder in my area. Is there another powder as accurate and versatile? I have Unique, H4227, Accurate #5, Accurate #9, and Red Dot on hand. Are any of those suitable? Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Jeff
 
I planned to reload using Alliant 2400 powder since so many people on the thread praise it. I also thought to use it in medium power loads for 357 and 44 magnum reloads, around 1,200 fps muzzle velocity in a Blackhawk. There is no 2400 powder in my area. Is there another powder as accurate and versatile? I have Unique, H4227, Accurate #5, Accurate #9, and Red Dot on hand. Are any of those suitable? Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Jeff
Add to your AA collection and try AA#7. It is a great fit for mid level magnums.
 
Thanks for all the help about substitutes for 2400. Time to inventory the AA powders on the shelf. I always have PLENTY of Unique on hand. As it turns out I have some 2400 powder coming. My wife heard me grousing about no 2400 available locally and suggested, in her wifely manner, that I just order some and be done with it. (Yes, I married a saint.) But I like to know what I can use as circumstances change so your suggestions are appreciated.

I'm eager to try the 2400. I haven't played with a new-to-me powder in a long time.

Jeff
 
Actually, H4227 wouldn't be a bad powder to try... even though it is no longer available. There is also IMR4227, which is usually available.
 
For heavy loads I like H110. For light and medium I have used Red Dot and Unique.
I have not used it but 4227 is a good powder for heavy loads in the 41.
 
I'd try Unique for medium level loads. 4227 seems best towards max, as that's where it seems to run cleaner. Accurate #9 is in my manual but I have no experience with it yet.

My 2 cents on powder versatility: In my magnums, I run Unique, 2400, and 300-MP. I run each towards the top end of the data because that's where I tend to see the best performance as far accuracy and clean burning. Just because a powder has data for a wide charge range, and therefore a wide pressure and velocity range, does not mean it's going to perform well throughout that whole range.

What barrel lengths and bullet weights do you want to use to get that 1200fps? Those things, along with the caliber, will help determine what powders would be preferable.
 
I've had good luck with unique in mid-range cast bullet loads in the .41. I like H110 for full power in both .41 and .357. Have worked with IMR 4227 briefly this summer, and got good accuracy with Penn hard cast in .41 magnum.

I used to use exclusively Blue Dot in the .41 from mid to max, but for some reason it is very specifically no longer recommended for the cartridge.
 
For heavy loads I like H110. For light and medium I have used Red Dot and Unique.

I run each towards the top end of the data because that's where I tend to see the best performance as far accuracy and clean burning. Just because a powder has data for a wide charge range, and therefore a wide pressure and velocity range, does not mean it's going to perform well throughout that whole range.

That's really the key in big pistol cases... you really have to pick the right powder for the load range you wish to shoot at. I typically run mid-range charges of Unique under a 215grn'ish cast or jacketed bullet, but it's not really the cleanest load on the planet. I have run Unique past safe load ranges and I'll say it cleaned right up... but that is not something I would recommend. Same with IMR4227... I powder which I love in my 20" Marlin barrel, but not so much in my 4" Smiths. W296/H110 works well at maximum velocity... because it already is in it's Happy Place as far as burn rate... there is no reduced loading. I've never really experimented with powders like RedDot or TiteGroup, or even W231... not when I have 11# of Unique setting on the shelf.
 
Walkalong,
Thanks for moving my powder question. It's more appropriate here in the handloading section.

And thanks for all the replies. I was glad to see them since I have the suggested powders on hand. (Sometimes it's better to be lucky!) I'm going to print out this page to keep for reference.

Jeff
 
Missouri Bullets 215 grain Keith style SWC, brinell 18, sized .411? Just wondering how fast they can be pushed before leading might occur.

Leading with hard cast bullet is generally caused by using too light a load that doesn't obdurate the bullets base to fill the bore, allowing gas to bypass the bullet base which melts lead on the bore.

I have chrono'd loads of 215gr lead SWC bullets from True Cast at 956 fps using 7.0gr of W231 and 1,157 fps with 9.5gr of Unique from my 4" S&W 657 mountain pistol. I did coat these bullets using Lee Liquid Alox in addition to the wax type lube they came with. Using the addition of the Alox gave me no leading at all.

I have been loading Missouri mullets in my .38 spl that have the Hi-Tek coating and will buy my next batch of .41 cast bullets from them with this coating as its very clean and leaves no leading and little powder residue in the bore.
 
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