.41 Mag Association

[Bush Pilot]

Agree....not the most common item at LGS or on-line - even with the market appearing to "cool" a little, wouldn't anticipate huge price depression.
Suggest OP consider a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Mag ? More reasonably priced than S&W N frame & shoot well. It will gobble up just about any load, have shot everything from 170 gr to 295 gr bullets. A favorite mid range load is a 215 SWC over 9.9 gr Longshot for approx 1200 fps.
View attachment 1123785

Good choice for all around .41.

 

[lightman]

If it is a S&W N-Frame in .41 magnum (57, 58, 657), especially an earlier S or N serial revolver (pinned and recessed), they are EXPENSIVE and hard to come by.

I think I paid $400-$450 for my Model 57 a few years ago when used Model 28's were going for $275-$300. Just a comparison that M-57's seem to fetch a premium price.

 

[WisBorn]

I think I paid $400-$450 for my Model 57 a few years ago when used Model 28's were going for $275-$300. Just a comparison that M-57's seem to fetch a premium price.

I was at a show a couple of months ago. There was a 57 in a presentation box for $1595. It was like new! I didn't handle it or ask about it. At that price I would order a classic from S&W.

 

[blackd24]

Yes my plan is to order a new “classic”. I’m hoping my LGS can get it for around $1100, maybe less. I’m looking to shoot it, not interested in paying a premium for a presentation case and revolver.

 

[Rodfac]

Surprisingly, the grip on my L-frame model 69 .44 Mag is really good, too. Shooting 10.5 gr Unique/ 240 gr SWC loads, recoil wasn’t awful at all. (Not max, but fairly stout.)

Me too, and I was surprised when the grip worked for me. Generally, I keep my loads to the old Skelton daily use level (240 gr LSWC at ~900-950 fps), which makes for a comfortable range session, but those fugly rubber grips do help with full-house hunting types as well. Too, I share Rio's desire for a .41 Spl M-69 weight Smith revolver. It might even be possible to get 6 charge holes in it!! Rod

 

[blackd24]

Can anyone recommend bullets to load? I see the usual suspects have them - MBC, ACME. But I’m thinking about trying the xtreme 210 grain copper plated. I would use those for a milder load either over HP-38 or BE-86. I also have access to bullseye, accurate no 2,5,7,9.

I plan on using hornady xtp and 2400 for my “magnum” load.

 

[lightman]

Theres not a huge number of choices. The 210 grain JHP from any of the big names will work well. I cast for mine and use the original Keith Type SWC cast from clip-on wheelweights. Most of the major bullet companies offer this bullet in the 210-220 grain weight range.

I think you will be happy with that 2400 load.

 

[Riomouse911]

Can anyone recommend bullets to load? I see the usual suspects have them - MBC, ACME. But I’m thinking about trying the xtreme 210 grain copper plated. I would use those for a milder load either over HP-38 or BE-86. I also have access to bullseye, accurate no 2,5,7,9.
Qr
I plan on using hornady xtp and 2400 for my “magnum” load.

The Xtreme copper plated work well, I run them mild to warm in both the .41 Mag and .41 Special cases I have. I usually use a Unique-speed powder to drive them, and watch the crimp. Too much roll crimp will cut the plating. (I learned this by overcrimping .38 Wadcutter loads.)

Mine are sorta buried in the back of the bullet stash.



Stay safe.

 

[DR505]

For a good hunting bullet I like this one, a .410 265gr WLNGC: https://grizzlycartridge.com/shop/cast-performance-bullets/41-265gr-wlngc-100ct/




Cast Performance, from Grizzly Cartridge, makes some good hard-cast lead bullets. I also use their 250 grain for .41 magnum. LoadData https://loaddata.com/ has some decent reloading data.

I use them in this 657-2 Classic Hunter:

 

[Alaskamike]

Definitely check out Montana Bullet Works as well. They have a great selection of cast bullets in plain base and gas checked too, and at very good prices.

I've shot a lot of their bullets in various calibers and have been extremely happy.

 

[NeroM]

Can anyone recommend bullets to load? I see the usual suspects have them - MBC, ACME. But I’m thinking about trying the xtreme 210 grain copper plated. I would use those for a milder load either over HP-38 or BE-86. I also have access to bullseye, accurate no 2,5,7,9. I plan on using hornady xtp and 2400 for my “magnum” load.

Have tried many bullets from 170 gr to 295 gr in my 41 Mags.
One thing to keep in mind in cartridge overall length, the official value is 1.590". A number of bullets will exceed that length when loaded, however most revolvers have cylinders/throats long enough to accommodate the extra length - NOT ALL - so you should check. For example Montana Bullets offers two, 240 gr LBT designs - both are great bullets - I have one 41 mag that will not accept the WFN bullet. Another 41 Mag I have, won't stabilize the 295 gr Penn bullet, it is pretty long - penetrates forever.
Over time, have settled on three loads at different levels- all with cast bullets. Utility load is a 215 SWC over 9.9 or 10 gr of Longshot to yield approx 1200 fps. Used 2400 in this for sometime, however couldn't get any 2400 for over a year, ran out - tried a couple other powders, liked the Longshot loading and could get a few canisters of it. Just opened a new lot, #13 rotor for my Little Dandy measure drops about 10 gr of this new lot - shot 6 earlier today over the Chrony - all were in the range 1200-1210 fps.
Second load is my "deer and hog" load, the CPC 250 gr WFNGC also at 1200 fps with around 14 gr of 2400. This ballistic level is similar to a famous 43 cal 250 gr loading at a reported 1200 fps - it works well and will fit every gun i have tried [including lever carbines]. Third load, don't make many of these any more, is the 265 gr CPC WLNGC at a little over 1400 fps - I use Lil-Gun for this per Hodgdon data - just don't need the power and penetration - this is a great big game loading.

 

[cfullgraf]

I bought a S&W Model 57 with a 8-3/8" barrel mainly because of the 8-3/8" barrel. I'm hooked on S&W 8-3/8" barreled revolvers.

One of these days, I'll get a shorter barreled version and actively reload 41 Magnum.

 

[RKRCPA]

Can anyone recommend bullets to load?

I have had great success with the traditional 220gr. Keith SWC.

I get mine here. https://moyerscastbullets.com/handgun_bullets_info_page/handgun_bullets_pricelist

 

[Hokkmike]

Since the forgotten middle magnum don't get much press I figured why not start a .41 mag association. This would be the perfect place to share favorite loads guns and so on. So lets go .41 addicts lets get this ball rolling.

My bro has a .41 in S&W complimented with a 336 action Marlin lever gun, also in .41. (I started with .45(LC) and figure to stay there.)

 

[Seedy Character]

My favorite is



Loaded with Lil Gun for hog and deer
Trail Boss for Cowboy Action

 

[black mamba]

I have loaded Berry's 210 plated bullets over 5.4 gr. of 700X or 6.0 gr. of HP38, deep seated to 1.515" with standard F150 primers. 900+ fps depending on barrel length, and extremely accurate.

 

[Charlie98]

Definitely check out Montana Bullet Works as well. They have a great selection of cast bullets in plain base and gas checked too, and at very good prices.

+1 on Montana Bullet Works. I really like their 250grn cast gas-checked FP bullet, it works really well in the Marlin under a charge of W296 or IMR4227.

Can anyone recommend bullets to load?

Aside from specialty bullets, I just buy the generic 215grn cast SWC from any number of sources... it's probably the most common cast bullet out there for the .41. I shoot a lot of .41, so it doesn't make sense to pour money into the bullets if all I'm doing is poking holes in paper, or bouncing them off steel pipe.





Someone mentioned watching your COL with some bullets... that's true. I had some 220grn (true) Keith bullets I loaded... they were just long enough to not feed easily in my Marlin, although they were not a problem in my revolvers.

 

[bangswitch]

I was at a show a couple of months ago. There was a 57 in a presentation box for $1595. It was like new! I didn't handle it or ask about it. At that price I would order a classic from S&W.

If all you want is a shooter with no collector value, then buy a new one, but they just aren't the same quality as the older guns. Mine was made in 1968, will shoot full load magnums all day, has a trigger you have to use to believe.

I bought a S&W Model 57 with a 8-3/8" barrel mainly because of the 8-3/8" barrel. I'm hooked on S&W 8-3/8" barreled revolvers.

With a longer stock, you'd almost have a carbine.

 

[WisBorn]

If all you want is a shooter with no collector value, then buy a new one, but they just aren't the same quality as the older guns. Mine was made in 1968, will shoot full load magnums all day, has a trigger you have to use to believe.
With a longer stock, you'd almost have a carbine.

I had a 657 with a 7" barrel. Should have never sold it to a friend.
I really would like a L frame size 41. Can't think of a better wilderness carry revolver.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I had a 657 with a 7" barrel. Should have never sold it to a friend.
I really would like a L frame size 41. Can't think of a better wilderness carry revolver.

A lot of people would like a 5 shot L frame Smith. 7" 657? Never heard of such a critter, special run, custom?

 

[BBarn]

Recently started working with a 6 1/2" OM Blackhawk in 41 Mag. It's a fun gun to shoot. Just finished loading up some Lyman 410459s with BE-86.

 

[Charlie98]

7" 657? Never heard of such a critter, special run, custom?

The original 657 Classic Hunters had a true 6.5" barrel... I've never heard of a 7", either.

 

[blackd24]

I contacted Henry about a 41 mag rifle. They are currently not producing them because of the demand for other calibers. They are not discontinued but they aren’t making them right now. Not sure if this economic slowdown will help or hurt the 41 mag production.

 

[Charlie98]

Henry has been advertising hard, so it's no surprise demand is up. If you are really interested in a .41 Henry, I would start calling some of the Henry dealers, particularly the Gold and Top 100 dealers to see if they have one in stock. You can find them within 100 miles of any zipcode using the Henry dealer locator.

 

[RealGun]

The LGS had a new Ruger Blackhawk in 41 magnum. I told the owner that I had never shot a 41 magnum and heard it was hard to find ammo for them or I might buy one. He said he had a case of Buffalo Bore 41 magnum ammo. I bought the gun and the case of ammo.
View attachment 1123784

Ouch!