41 magnum questions

[BullRunBear]

I just got a used NM Blackhawk in 41 magnum, a caliber new to me. It will be strictly a range toy for paper punching and the occasional steel plate, so I don't have to worry about hunting power loads or jacketed bullets.

Is a 215 grain SWC an appropriate target bullet? Missouri Bullets, where I get most of my cast bullets, offers them.

Do I need a factory crimp die? I usually use the Lee carbide three die sets with good results.

If I want to try 41 Special loads, a la John Taffin, is it worth getting Starline 41 Special brass (available at the moment) or just load down the magnum brass?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Jeff

 

[ReloaderFred]

You can load the .41 Magnum from mild to wild with the standard .41 Magnum brass. There is ample data for just about any load you'll need. If you can find them, the 170 gr. .41 caliber bullets that were originally intended for the .41 Action Express make for a nice light target bullet, but the 210/215 gr. will do well, too. The .41 Magnum was built around the 210 gr. bullet, so that's where you'll find most of the data.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive spoken with the guys at reedsammo.com via email. They were willing to sell me the 170s as components but they were not cheap, not super expensive, but not cheap either.

 

[BullRunBear]

Fred, Thanks for the info. Just what I needed. And it saves me the trouble of keeping track of another size of brass. Haven't had to work up hand loads from scratch for a while, so this will be fun. I already have the powders I'm likely to use.

Jeff

 

[ReloaderFred]

Yep, there's no need for another size of brass. On top of having to inventory a second length of .41 brass, you'd end up with a carbon ring in your chambers, just like shooting .38 Special in a .357 Magnum revolver. Just spend the money on more .41 Magnum brass and load away...

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Don McDowell]

No you don't need a factory crimp die if you get a set of dies from Lyman, RCBS, Hornady or Saeco that have the ability to crimp and seat the bullet at the same time.
The everyday load I use in my 41 is 8 grs. of unique under a 215 gr bullet cast from #2 alloy and sized at .411. Mild recoil plenty of accuracy and enough thump to punch holes in things other than paper.
For even less velocity and recoil, while not quite the accuracy, trail boss works well.

 

[Steve C]

The magnums where never intended to be a target cartridge however you can find loads that will give you around 800 fps at the start level using the 215gr cast bullet in the .41 mag. that should be similar to shooting a .45 acp standard load. I have never seen a poor shooting load out of the .41 mag and its the easiest cartridge I have found to make good shooting loads with any combination I have tried.

The 215gr LFP data from Hodgdon lists a few loads that give modest target level velocity. The lightest commercial load was Remington's 210 gr LSWC "Police" load at 910 fps from 4" revolvers and sold to police departments that allowed or adopted the .41 mag revolver for officers.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guys, Thanks again for the information. Good to have a starting point based on experience.

Jeff

 

[Hondo 60]

Welcome to the caliber.

As stated above, you can go from mild to wild.
Just depends on your mood.
Not too many people know about 41 Mag.
Some just look at you like you don't know what you're talkin about

 

[BullRunBear]

"Some just look at you like you don't know what you're talkin about"

Hondo, I had to laugh. I get that look all the time.

Jeff

 

[Sunray]

215's are too long for .41AE. 210's are as long as you can go. 215's at the max OAL won't fit in the mag. Not that it has anything to do with .41 Mag other than the bullet diameter's the same. And a 170 ain't no "nice light target bullet". Most of 'em are HP's.
No you do not need a factory crimp die. You don't need one for any cartridge. The .41 uses(or can) a roll crimp. Your seating die should do that.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The 170 gr. bullets intended for .41 AE that I referenced are cast bullets. I've got about 500 or so of them and they make nice light loads for casual plinking with my Model 57, which was my duty gun for many, many years.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[zxcvbob]

215 grain SWC's are a good bullet for .41 Magnum. I use the Lee bullet mold that's about that weight; don't remember exactly what it is.

There is no need for special length "Special" brass, just use Unique or 231 or Red Dot (etc) powder and load them down from normal "magnum" levels. A big lead bullet at 900 to 1000 fps packs a wallop, but the recoil is not punishing.

I haven't shot my .41 in a couple of years, I need to dust it off and get out to the range...

 

[Jim Watson]

That starting load of Clays looks strange.
23% less powder, 16% lower velocity, but only 8% lower pressure.

 

[Rodfac]

Great caliber and a good gun for it. I've loaded for two Rugers over the years in .41 Magnum plus a Smith M57.

Bullets: Missouri makes a good one at 210-215 gr and sized right for both Rugers and Smiths. I like 0.411" if I can find them and that's the size I use for my guns.

Powders: for range use, Win 231 or HP38 are both good as is Unique or Herco.

Cases last forever..

HTH's Rod