.41 Mag Association

These 200 grain bullets resemble more the much larger cast performance bullets in that they have a wide flat point. They actually weigh about 198 grains and are around 16 bhn. I figure they will will be something cheap to shoot through the gun to get used to it. Looks like a job for Unique or I might try Power Pistol. The XTP's are my favorite bullet in .44 magnum and probably will be in .41 as well.
 
Just happened on this.
I won a NM Blackhawk at my clubs gunbash 6 or 8 years ago, shot it very little, got reloading dies for it but have not yet tried putting loads together.
Maybe if I read through the 62 pages, I'll come up with something I'd like to try.
The Redhawk in .44 takes up most of my time.

49336539371_947f0de302_c.jpg 2020-01-05_07-14-09 by poofy27, on Flickr
 
27hand said:
Just happened on this.
I won a NM Blackhawk at my clubs gunbash 6 or 8 years ago, shot it very little, got reloading dies for it but have not yet tried putting loads together.
Maybe if I read through the 62 pages, I'll come up with something I'd like to try.
The Redhawk in .44 takes up most of my time.
Click to expand...

No need to do that... unless you like to read. A simple trip to a good loading manual will point you in the right direction... Unique being my normal recommendation for standard loads, W296 if you want something with a little kick. :D First couple of cylinderfulls through that, and you'll forget all about that nasty .44... ;)
 
27hand-
For a deer load, suggest the CPC 250 gr bullet over 13.0 gr 2400.
This will seem pleasant compared to your 44, doubt deer will know the difference.
PS.....
A load I just tried with the 250 gr bullet is 8 gr of CFE-P, approx 1000 fps from a RBH.
 
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Nero...you may find that the 250 WFN works better for your reduced velocity application as there will be less dead air space in the case vs. using the 255. The difference in the meplat is only 0.01.

I run the 250 with 20 grains of H110 and the 255 with 22.0 grains...both these loads are the same in that the base of the bullet rests right on top of the powder eliminating any airspace but not compressing the load to any degree. Neither load shows any pressure signs, the primers are still round and the cases just slide right out. I've shot this load not only in Single Actions but S&W 57s also...and all six empty cases about fall out when the gun is inverted and shaken.

The 250 will fit in the cylinder of a FA97 but the 255 will not...the load runs 1309 from the 4.25" barrel and is not pleasant to shoot. Decided some time ago bullets from 250 to 300 grains would only be going in my heavier .41 SAs...even the standard aluminum frame 6.5" BH isn't fun with full charge 250s...
 
27hand....welcome to The Cult...

One recommendation before you fire anything approaching a factory load is change those cheese grader grips for a set of smooth wood...those skinny checkered plastic grips are hard on the hands with anything above light target loads. Factory 210 Remington SPs run in the low to mid-1300s out of that 6.5" barrel and not fun with those grips.

8.0 grains of Unique is a good place to start with any cast, jacketed or plated bullet from 200 to 230 grains...950+- fps from a 4" barrel. 9.0/1100+- and 10.0/1180. Velocities will run 75-100 fps faster from the 6.5" barrel...
 
Gentlemen.
Thank you for the info and the welcome.

I'll start with brass and grips.
I do like a grip a bit heavier.

The 7 1/2" Redhawk.is a bit heavy but I have gotten deer with it.
The 4" S&W 66 seems a bit light.

I think the .41 should be a good fit.

Thanks again.
Will post up progress.
 
RJM52 said:
Nero...you may find that the 250 WFN works better for your reduced velocity application as there will be less dead air space in the case vs. using the 255. The difference in the meplat is only 0.01.

I run the 250 with 20 grains of H110 and the 255 with 22.0 grains...both these loads are the same in that the base of the bullet rests right on top of the powder eliminating any airspace but not compressing the load to any degree. Neither load shows any pressure signs, the primers are still round and the cases just slide right out. I've shot this load not only in Single Actions but S&W 57s also...and all six empty cases about fall out when the gun is inverted and shaken.

The 250 will fit in the cylinder of a FA97 but the 255 will not...the load runs 1309 from the 4.25" barrel and is not pleasant to shoot. Decided some time ago bullets from 250 to 300 grains would only be going in my heavier .41 SAs...even the standard aluminum frame 6.5" BH isn't fun with full charge 250s...
Click to expand...

RJM52:
My issue isn't reduced loads, it is finding an optimal load to replace the now out of production 255. Previously noted, the 255 crimps mid bullet- resulting in more powder space. With Hodgdon loading manual as a guide- the 250 overall length is 1.54" vs 1.66 for 255. Powder charges reflect these differences. Hodgdon H110 max for the 250 is 18.5 gr vs 19.5 gr for 255. Indicated velocities are both in upper 1400 fps, with 255 slightly more. Also top pressures are similar, with 255 gr being about 1500 less than 250.
Better and more consistent velocity at slightly lower pressure is why I choose the 255, they fit nicely in the cylinder of my FA83 and RBH. I know loaded 255 and 265, plus some other heavy 41 mag bullets are over length. Plus I have a number of below max loads for the 250, 13 gr of 2400 is one, as is 8 gr of CFE-P. The CFE
 
Nero...I have quite honestly found no difference in accuracy between not only those two but any of the heavies in .41 Magnum.

About the only thing you could do if you wanted to get into casting is send one of the bullets to Verl Smith and have him make a mold for you. Verl made that mold for Kelly Broast of CP and it was a one of a kind from what I was told by Kelly. Accurate Mold could probably do the same.

I was thinking about doing the same but the other day I was running some rounds through a new to me 6" FA 83 using the 255/22.0 H110 load and some home cast Accurate Molds 41-250L/21.0 H110. The groups were just slightly better with the 250 and the meplat is bigger...

Bob

ps

In 2003 I visited CP and in talking with Kelly he was the supplier of 250 grain bullets to Federal for their CastCore and CorBon. He tried to talk both into using the 255 instead of the 250 but they would not as it was too close to exceeding the SAAMI LOA for the round. It is also Gary Reeder's favorite .41 cast bullet.. All the heavy game they have taken with the .410 GNR was taken with that bullet.
 
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Hello from a prospective female member! I am RachelAnne and I've been getting bored of late as I seem to only take one or two 1911's to the range every week and I decided it was time to take out my oldest 41 magnum. I am embarrassed to say that Smith & Wesson both blinked at the light when I pulled my oldest model 58 out of the safe.
I have several batches of older reloads for it and a couple of hundred empties so I did a quick search for any interesting loads for the Lyman 41032 bullets and, lo and behold, I stumbled across this institution! I have looked at the posted pics and am attaching one of my toys.
I bought the blue 58 at the staggering full retail price of $110, ran home to clean it, and found a forging flaw that looked like an earthquake scar in one of the chambers. Poking my bore light into one chamber let me see through the flaw into the adjacent chamber. Back to the gun shop and they said I should send it in to S&W.. I called them and found out that they had a repair station about 10 miles from me. I drove down and their gunsmith (Jim Fish) installed a new cylinder in less than ten minutes. It has been Mag-Na-Ported.
The nickel 58 and the 57 came later and sadly serve as safe queens. The tiny white thing on the bottom of the model 57 grip is a factory inspection sticker.
At any rate, here is my little collection and my request to be allowed admittance into the 41 Mag Association.


IMG_0258.jpg
 
RachelAnne, Welcome.
Those pics are great.

Now that my NMBH is finally out, I have gotten some new grips.
RJM52. Thanks.
The 250 CorBons and 250 DoubleTaps were tough on the hands with the old grips. I didn't shoot them well and believe that's the reason I put it back in the safe.
I have a couple hundred pieces of brass and have ordered cast bullets in 200gr 228gr and 240gr.
I also have Unique, IMR4227 and WW296.

We will see what next week brings.
A good friend has a .38 (no info yet) and wants some basic instruction (safety / manipulation).

We will run his .38, my S&W 66, the NMBH and probably the RedHawk.

The 66 was a trade in. I signed up for a revolver class by Giles Stock quite few years ago (IIRC, he carried a .41 duty pistol) but it cancelled due to lack of interest.
Unfortunately it was never rescheduled.

49392018377_4146b690e1_k.jpg 2020-01-15_06-40-32 by poofy27, on Flickr
 
Charlie98 said:
Why is that?

Is that 58 factory nickle???
Click to expand...

Why they serve as safe queens.....in my younger days I could barely afford to buy guns AND ammunition. I have a number of guns that I bought on lay-a-way where it took me six months to pay them off. I blame Sheeter Skelton because I kept buying things he recommended. Once I was done struggling to pay one off I decided it was too nice to shoot and it went into the safe.
I have a pretty fair number of unfired, new in the box toys that are now so valuable that I still can't bring myself to shoot them. 8 or 10 S&Ws, about the same in Colts, and then the random ones. I usually shoot one of my 1911s, a High Standard model 107, or an old Colt Trooper.
As for the nickel 58, both it and the 57 are factory nickel. Just wish the 58 was an S frame.
 
eevUYhI.jpg
My Smith M57 I bought last year when it showed up at the local shop, been looking for a good ten years but owners don't let them go. A joy to shoot and use as a conceal carry piece on the motorcycle. My compliments to Miss Rachel on her taste of firearms, but I would need to shoot them. :)
 
Ms. RA...a very nice collection indeed. If I had unfired, in the box S&Ws I can not say mine would not remain Safe Queens also...

I have a blue 58 just like yours down to the porting but is Mag-Na-Port Quad-Ported. Shooting a ported gun and then a non-ported gun just like it shows the effectiveness of the ports on muzzle rise...

9.0 grains of Unique with the Berry's plated bullet will run 1100+- fps from a 58 depending on the dept the bullet was seated... 8.0 is 950+- and 10 1180. I've been running solid cast bullets with 8.0 and HPs at 9.0 from S&W revolvers and have no problem controlling them shooting DA. With 10.0 the grip will start to ride up by the end of the cylinder...

Bob
 
Reading through the post got me thinking about how many handgun models have there been chambered in 41 mag?

I had a S&W657 with a 7" barrel. Wish I still had it. I have a Taurus 415 with a 2 1/2", this little 5 shot is my hand cannon!
 
Seems like almost everyone has made one...

S&W in their 57/58/657 versions
Ruger in both Redhawk/Blackhawk
Taurus revolvers
Dan Wesson
Some of the specialty builders like Freedom Arms
Desert Eagle
Thompson Center

Conspicuously absent is Colt, although there was always the rumor of a .41 Python.

Rifle makers are probably a little thinner...
Marlin
Henry

There may be another rifle or two chambered in .41, but I'm thinking something minimal like a single-shot break action H&R, et al.
 
American Derringer

Intercontinental Arms Dakota

Virginian Dragoon

I've never seen or heard of any other rifle makers other than Marlin and Henry who have made a .41 other than a few TC Carbines barrels that were 16.5" and made for the TC Collector's Association....I have one.
 
When the TC Collectors Association did the SUPER 16 barrel for their annual barrel one could order it in .41 Magnum or .414 SM.

The 10" Bull and Super 14" .41 barrels are pretty common...I see them for sale all the time on GunBroker and eBay....
 
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