41 mag/heavy bullet

[tahoe2]

I saw some 300 grn jacketed soft points at my lgs sized to .411(.405 win) and was wondering if anyone has tried these in a .41 revolver. I know that my 215 grn lead swc are sized to .411, but is that a much bigger deal with a jacket (pressure wise?) typically jacketed bullets for the .41 are sized .410, example= [email protected], [email protected], Barnes-XPB@ .410 or should I just go with a 255gr lead and not worry about it (the 300) ??

 

[steveno]

jacketed bullets in the 41 mag are .410 so the results of shooting a .411 jacketed bullet wouldn't be very good. I have shot 290 grain cast bullets in the 41 mag and while they shot ok in a TC super 14 I don't think they were good for much in a revolver. in a revolver I think a 250 grain cast bullet is the limit for good results.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

Not only that, but it is very unlikely you have enough sight adjustment to get them to shoot where the gun is looking.

rc

 

[336A]

You could look into a SSK style bullet wghich are anywhere from 275gr to 300gr. Yet at the same time I think a lot of folks make way to much out of going to heavy for caliber bullets for cartridge X, Y, or Z. Don't get me wrong they do have their place but for most instances they just aren't necessry. To show you what I mean here is a story about a felle who shot a moose with a 225gr bullet from his .41 mag. As you read notice that it was a full on frontal shot and at 61yd IIRC between the shoulder knuckles.

The bullet went all the way through the liver then to parts unknown The bullet went through approximately 4' of moose so how much more do you really need? would a heavier bullet really done any better?

Anyway here is the thread so you can read for yourself.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6879&highlight=magnum

 

[murf]

probably too long to stabilize and/or fit in the cylinder.

murf

 

[steveno]

the SSK bullet I shot in the 41 TC super 14 weighed about 280 grains from wheel weight. it chronographed 1,560 fps and no I will not tell you the load other than it was right at max with a powder that is no longer available. it was a real handful in the TC and absolutely miserable in a Ruger Blackhawk with the 4 5/8 inch barrel & aluminum grip frame. however it would shoot into 2 inches at 50 yards so it was accurate. I think the 250 grain bullet is the max that should be used. I liked the LBT 250 grain with the gas check.

 

[tahoe2]

both my revolvers are short bbl's(4" & 4-1/2") so I doubt I would get velocity much above 1000 fps,
so I'll just stick with the 255 cast gas check @ 1200 fps, that should take me where I need to go (black bear in western WA).
I was curious about the 300, but no need to risk any dangerous situations. But thanks y'all for the interest and responses.

 

[336A]

both my revolvers are short bbl's(4" & 4-1/2") so I doubt I would get velocity much above 1000 fps,
so I'll just stick with the 255 cast gas check @ 1200 fps, that should take me where I need to go (black bear in western WA).
I was curious about the 300, but no need to risk any dangerous situations. But thanks y'all for the interest and responses.

That load will do anything your likely to need it for in WA and then some. Heck even a standard weight bullet of 210gr-220gr will take care of what you need to do. It doesn't take the heaviest possible bullet for a given cartridge to get good if not complete penetration on most animals, check out the link in my above post.

Here is some more reading that is good food for thought. Even though it is about the .41 magnum it can just as easily apply to other cartridges.
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=71661&highlight=magnum

 

[AABEN]

Jest remember that the heaver the bullet the more pressure on the gun and more kick. Ease up on your gun and it will last a Lot longer.

 

[41 Mag]

I have shot plenty of load through my 7.5" Redhawk, and I am with everyone else on the 250'ish grain boolits are about tops for usefulness.

Jest remember that the heaver the bullet the more pressure on the gun and more kick. Ease up on your gun and it will last a Lot longer.

I can't say that I totally agree with this though. I have shot some fairly wild stuff over the years, but I have found that it depends more on the powder type than the actual weight as to how bad some of them will rock you back. I know for a fact that the 180r loads I was shooting form my 44 were a WHOLE lot harder on both me and the revolver than the 240 and 300's I am shooting in it now.

 

[CraigC]

Found this searching for something else. First to dispose of some misinformation. Firstly, a Blackhawk has a fast enough twist for bullets up to 335gr. S&W does not. Secondly, that .001" of difference is insignificant. I really don't know how you will do on length using the 300gr Hornady .405 bullet but if you can use a similar crimp-to-base length as the 300gr cast bullet in Lee Martin's data, you can safely work up a load to probably 1100-1150fps. This particular bullet is quite tender and may actually expand. I've had them blow up on the shoulder of a small doe out of the .405.

All that said, I'd rather use cast bullets. Beartooth has a good 300gr bullet for the .41Mag.

For Lee's article:
http://www.singleactions.com