Looking for info on reloading .41 Rem Mag

@forrest r was so kind to share links to various manuals in this thread I started relating to .44 Mag https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/44-spl-vs-44-mag-lead-vs-fmj-decisions.890257/. In my case, I was particularly interested in using AA#5 with a 240 gr bullet.

I quickly found on Lyman's 48th Edition Reloading Manual, page 347, info on .41 Mag using a 170gr bullet. Perhaps that manual along with the other manuals provided by @forrest r will provide some guidance.

Good luck!

Whidbey Mike said:

I have once fired brass and Sierra 170gr JHP. Will be shooting in a Taurus Tracker with 4" ported barrel so nothing too hot. Have Lee 4 pc die set.

(Yes I know, I would have rather had a Blackhawk. But I gotta run what I brung.)

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I have a Blackhawk 4 5/8" been looking for the tracker for a coons age! Look at hodgdon online for a healthy start!

What powders do you have?

Whidbey Mike said:

Nothing yet, just starting out. Will be loading .40 S&W first but I have brass and dies for my .41 Rem Mag too so looking ahead.

Will also be loading .45 Colt too but still need the dies.

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Just a quick heads up my Barnes manual and hornady's 8th edition did not have information for the 170 grain bullet, just 180's and higher. Have to check the other manuals when I get a chance.

Whidbey Mike said:

Nothing yet, just starting out. Will be loading .40 S&W first but I have brass and dies for my .41 Rem Mag too so looking ahead.

Will also be loading .45 Colt too but still need the dies.

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I'm sure everyone has their favorite powder. I regularly reload 180gr CMJ 40 S&W and use AA#5. I use it for 9 mm as well and plan on using it for .44 Mag. It is a ball powder and is very easy to measure.

Looking at your calibers (40, .41, and 45 Colt), there is plenty of load data in the manuals using AA#5 powder with various grains of bullets. Since powder supply may be sporadic, you might want to read up in the manuals what other powder covers your calibers (ie. AA#7,etc.).

If you are just now trying to buy components, I believe the biggest hurdle will be trying to obtain primers. You will need SPP for the .40 and LPP for the .41 and 45 Colt. In my case, I have thousands of SPP but I had to search daily for a couple of months before I was able to buy 2,000 LPP. As @Pat Riot suggested to me, you may want to watch this thread throughout each day to learn of components availability https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...iscussion-thread-link-required.883031/page-38.

http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/
These are free to download.
I've not shot 170gr out of my .41 Magnum so I have no load data for you of my own.

With the lighter bullet and shorter barrel I would stick with faster to medium burning powders. If you go much slower than Accurate #5 you are going to get a lot of unburnt powder flashing out the muzzle. Unique and Longshot work very well and don't need magnum primers, although they could still be used. Primer strength depends on the type and amount of powder used. Slower ball powders like HS6 or H110/296 need the magnum primers.

I would probably find a powder that works well in the .40, with an eye to using it in the .41 as well. I don't know anything about the .40, so I can't really recommend a powder... but it seems like Unique would be a good fit. Research is your friend.

I don't know that I've ever loaded 170's in the .41, that in 30+ years of loading for the .41. As Mamba mentions, I would likely pick a faster powder. Once you move to the 210's and up, slower powders will work well enough, and in some cases better, depending on the goal for your reloads.

Power Pistol and the less flashy BE-86 would be good for both 40 and 41.

I load for the .41 mag and have loaded a couple hundred 170 grain Sierra's. I use Winchester LP primers which state they are for both normal and magnum loads. My preference right now is HP38 but I also use Universal and Tightgroup in midrange loads. For my heavy loads I use Lil gun. I really can not tell much difference in loads from the midrange powders. I get my main loading information from Hodgdon online. But I also use Info from the bullet companies. I have not found a mid range load yet that fills the case as much as I would like. Currently I am loading 210 grain Hornady XTP with either a midrange load of HP38 and it shoots fine.t

Most of my .41 Mag shooting is with coated 215 bullets and Trail Boss. That loading has just ended since I am out of Trail Boss and cannot find any to resupply with. Good case fill and very soft shooting and reasonable accuracy.

You can use regular or magnum primers with mid range loads. I use Unique for both .41 and .45 Colt midrange to warm loads, it works extremely well for both.

8.5 gr Unique and a 170 will be a moderate load that should run roughly 1200 fps. This should be fun to shoot and not abusive.

I’ve loaded gobs of the 215 gr coated SWC over 8.5 gr Unique for my Red and Blackhawk revolvers. It has a bit more kick than your 170 gr load will have but it’s still not maxed out.

Stay safe.