Whalerman - I also don't reload, and I own four of them! I guess I would be labeled more of an owner than a shooter, but we do go out periodically and blast away. We just had our family traditional pumpkin shoot, something that the kids, who are now mostly grown, look forward to every year. As far as ammo, in our area it costs the same as 44 mag ammo. It is somewhat harder to find, but it's out there. wyatte
.41 Mag Association
- Thread starter 336A
- Start date
Missionary
Member
Greetings If I did not load & cast I would not get into 41 Mag.. unless you have very full pockets. Bullets are available but for the prices I would learn how to cast my own. Start out with a .411 round ball and 2 grains of 231 for popping flies and end up with 285 grainers with a case full of 1680. With everything in between there are not too many critters you could not hunt with a caliber .41 mag revolver.
Mike in Peru
Mike in Peru
HARV6
Member
If you order off the internet ammo prices are usually the same as 44mag. Can you run to any mom and pop gun shop and grab a box of 41 on your way to the range? Probably not, but I usually take ammo from my stock at home that I've shopped around for anyway.
Ammo for the .41 magnum is no more expensive than .44 magnum ammo as was said above. The only exception the only to this that comes to mind right away is the sole Remington 210gr offering, which is expensive. Which is where I beleive the whole ".41 mag ammo is expensive" thing stemmed from. When I bought a box of Speer .41 Mag 210gr DCHP it was $1 cheaper than the same companies .44 Mag 240gr offering. The same is true for most other .41mag ammo sold in 20 round boxes as well.
Availability of .41 mag ammo can be a problem though, so handloading is certainly beneficial.
Missionary
Member
Greetings 336a
You are fortunate to live somewhere caliber .41 mag is available. Where I live when up north there ( East central ILL.) I have not seen a box of 41 mag of any brand in a local store. I recon I could drive 35 miles west to Champaign and probably a big chain outdoor place might stock it. Next time up have to do a recon of every ammo outlet and see how far a body would have to drive to latch on to a factory box. Last I saw for sale was at a Hoopston gunshow. Dinky little 20 (or25) round pachage that was priced beyond my pocket level & of no real need anyway.
Mike in Peru
You are fortunate to live somewhere caliber .41 mag is available. Where I live when up north there ( East central ILL.) I have not seen a box of 41 mag of any brand in a local store. I recon I could drive 35 miles west to Champaign and probably a big chain outdoor place might stock it. Next time up have to do a recon of every ammo outlet and see how far a body would have to drive to latch on to a factory box. Last I saw for sale was at a Hoopston gunshow. Dinky little 20 (or25) round pachage that was priced beyond my pocket level & of no real need anyway.
Mike in Peru
Nevmavrick
Member
After I got out of the Army, '68, I carried an S&W 1950 .45 Auto Rim, but in '72, I traded for my first .41, a OMBH (all there were then) with 4 5/8bbl. I got reloading dies with it, and don't remember ever shooting factory ammo from it. ('course I can't remember if I had eggs for breakfast)
I later started casting my own with an RCBS 210gr Keith SWC mold, and shot a 1/2ton of WWs through it and a later-bought M57 8 3/8". A divorce caused the Ruger to go.
I got flush again, and ordered the M57, but it was nickel, and that didn't make me happy. (that's just me, don't flame me for it. I'm not gonna change) I used it for silly-wet, but finally sold it to finance a shoot at an ATA Grand trap-shoot.
Went though several M57 4"ers, but was never happy...the guns, not the cartridge. Finally... the object of my eternal hopes. A used M57 6" at a price I could do. It's a -1, but I need a shooter/carrier. It's perf.
When I first got it, I had to send it back to Smith as the barrel had started to unscrew(the reason the price was right) Recently, I had to return it to Smith, again. I felt bad, so started having second thoughts about it's quality. Then, I counted backwards a bit and realized that I'd fired over 10k through it!
I have shot RCBS 210s made from WW, WW=2%tin, Lyman #2, Linotype, and Lyman #410610 made from the same alloys. I've had both molds hollowpointed in one side, so I now cast 4 different bullets from the 2 molds. I also cast Lee 240gr TL SWCs and Lyman #410639s which are 170gr TC, with the BB removed.
While I lived in Alaska, got into Steel-Challenge and couldn't afford a bottom feeder, so I found a deal on an M58, so I wouldn't have to buy more equipment. I was competitive because I know how to shoot, but I couldn'
t win because it's too hard to use speedloaders against magazines. I held my own, tho'.
After 15yrs, I traded the M58 for a downpayment on a new, killer, bottomfeeder, for a price I couldn't pass on for the Smith.
I'd gotten in on a group-buy for a pointed 170gr bullet that shucks through a speedloader like noone's business, and I was going to use it though next year, but....the best laid plans of mice and men...
I do plan to use the 6"er in Steel, but only because I want to shoot, and relate to the guys. I have no visions of granduer as to winning, the barrel is just to long!
I've used all these molds with all these alloys, AND a bunch of different lubes, from LLA, 45-45-10, most commercial examples, and several custom preps.
I've also used most primers, ie CCI300 and 350, Federal 150 and 155, Magtech #2 1/2, and RP #2 1/2, and WLP.
The significant part is that, since the Spring of 1985, most of my ammo has been fired over my Oehler M33 chronograph.
I've used just about ever powder out there, and I can't remember any powders I haven't used. (remember the eggs?) It's all written down, tho'...I'm looking at the logbooks, right now.
FWIW- I've used WW231 with 210cast from 6.0g (at 670fps) to 7.5gr (at 1050fps) from my 6". YMMV
I hope you'll accept me in the Association. If you'll accept my check, it's in the mail.
Have fun,
Gene
I later started casting my own with an RCBS 210gr Keith SWC mold, and shot a 1/2ton of WWs through it and a later-bought M57 8 3/8". A divorce caused the Ruger to go.
I got flush again, and ordered the M57, but it was nickel, and that didn't make me happy. (that's just me, don't flame me for it. I'm not gonna change) I used it for silly-wet, but finally sold it to finance a shoot at an ATA Grand trap-shoot.
Went though several M57 4"ers, but was never happy...the guns, not the cartridge. Finally... the object of my eternal hopes. A used M57 6" at a price I could do. It's a -1, but I need a shooter/carrier. It's perf.
When I first got it, I had to send it back to Smith as the barrel had started to unscrew(the reason the price was right) Recently, I had to return it to Smith, again. I felt bad, so started having second thoughts about it's quality. Then, I counted backwards a bit and realized that I'd fired over 10k through it!
I have shot RCBS 210s made from WW, WW=2%tin, Lyman #2, Linotype, and Lyman #410610 made from the same alloys. I've had both molds hollowpointed in one side, so I now cast 4 different bullets from the 2 molds. I also cast Lee 240gr TL SWCs and Lyman #410639s which are 170gr TC, with the BB removed.
While I lived in Alaska, got into Steel-Challenge and couldn't afford a bottom feeder, so I found a deal on an M58, so I wouldn't have to buy more equipment. I was competitive because I know how to shoot, but I couldn'
t win because it's too hard to use speedloaders against magazines. I held my own, tho'.
After 15yrs, I traded the M58 for a downpayment on a new, killer, bottomfeeder, for a price I couldn't pass on for the Smith.
I'd gotten in on a group-buy for a pointed 170gr bullet that shucks through a speedloader like noone's business, and I was going to use it though next year, but....the best laid plans of mice and men...
I do plan to use the 6"er in Steel, but only because I want to shoot, and relate to the guys. I have no visions of granduer as to winning, the barrel is just to long!
I've used all these molds with all these alloys, AND a bunch of different lubes, from LLA, 45-45-10, most commercial examples, and several custom preps.
I've also used most primers, ie CCI300 and 350, Federal 150 and 155, Magtech #2 1/2, and RP #2 1/2, and WLP.
The significant part is that, since the Spring of 1985, most of my ammo has been fired over my Oehler M33 chronograph.
I've used just about ever powder out there, and I can't remember any powders I haven't used. (remember the eggs?) It's all written down, tho'...I'm looking at the logbooks, right now.
FWIW- I've used WW231 with 210cast from 6.0g (at 670fps) to 7.5gr (at 1050fps) from my 6". YMMV
I hope you'll accept me in the Association. If you'll accept my check, it's in the mail.
Have fun,
Gene
rikman
Member
Tomorrow afternoon I join the club. I'll be picking up a pristine S&W Model 57 4". Pics to follow soon....the dies are enroute too 
GunTotinAmerican
Member
new to the .41 but I am quickly falling in love with the caliber and gun(4 5/8 blackhawk)
Bush Pilot
Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 2,391
You can never have too many pictures.
rikman
Member
tahoe2
Member
195 swc ?
never seen that weight before. Where are they available?
never seen that weight before. Where are they available?
41wheelgun
Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2012
- Messages
- 93
336A, If the 195gr SWC that you are referring too comes from a Lee mold. I have one and it cast the bullets at around 200 grs using clip-on wheel weights. Here latley I have taken the advice from other members in the 41 Mag Association and swithced to Unique powder. Last week I had some test round loaded with 8.5gr of Unique, shooting 25 yrds on a pistol rest, I was amazed at the accuracy. So far this load is the best my Ruger SBH has shoot. I have also purchsed Lymans Cast Bullet Handbook, a must for a bullet caster, IMO, picked up some good casting tips from it and I think with those tips I have better bullets and the accuracy to go with it.
Yes I'm talking about the Lee bullet as is pictured here http://leeprecision.com/bullet-casting/hand-gun-bullet-molds/bullet-mold-double-cavity/
Western Bullet company also sells this bullet which lead me to ask the question. 41wheelgun I concur with you on the Lyman cast bullet Handbook. I have both the 3rd and 4th editions even though I don't cast my own, however I shoot cast bullets almost exclusively from my revolvers.
Western Bullet company also sells this bullet which lead me to ask the question. 41wheelgun I concur with you on the Lyman cast bullet Handbook. I have both the 3rd and 4th editions even though I don't cast my own, however I shoot cast bullets almost exclusively from my revolvers.
Good evening associates, thought I'd update this thread with some links to some informative articles on our favorite cartridge. As well as some very good stories from the field by a fella out west that has harvested quite a few large animals with his .41
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/41magnum.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/41heavy.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/41keith.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/41data.htm
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=69822&highlight=magnum
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6879&highlight=magnum
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/41magnum.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/41heavy.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/41keith.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/41data.htm
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=69822&highlight=magnum
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6879&highlight=magnum
Made to the range today with the Ruger BH .41. We ended up outshooting a couple LEO that were there. I was shooting some ammo I made awhile back with a 215gr Lead Head SWC over 8.0gr of Unique. I had a nice single hole at 10yd which stole a couple of looks from the LEO's especially the female who seemed to be having a hard time.
especially the female who seemed to be having a hard time.Domino I haven't heard of that, is that what is written in your owners manual? It didn't seem to be a problem here http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=16
I doubt that it will be a problem for you. I'd just keep an eye on the ports to be sure that they don't collect any lead build up. BTW I got some beautiful Keith bullets from Montana Bullet Works the other day I plan on doing a load work up with 2400 in the near future. These will be for full tilt hunting loads. Here is a pic of one along with a Sierra 210JHC, a commercial 215gr SWC, and a Hornady 210gr HP.
I plan on doing a load work up with 2400 in the near future. These will be for full tilt hunting loads. Here is a pic of one along with a Sierra 210JHC, a commercial 215gr SWC, and a Hornady 210gr HP.
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