.41 magnum reloading

[Sydney Fox]

hi , i am new here and recently bought a early model 58 S&W , any tips on reloading for the .41 magnum ,

 

[ATLDave]

I started loading for a Model 57 earlier this year. I found it about like loading for .357, nothing tricky about it. To date, I have only developed two loads: a "real" magnum load using AA#9 under a Hornady JHP and a "fun" load using Unique beneath Xtreme plated 210's. I'm a fan of Starline brass, so I ordered some of that, and it was as good as their stuff usually is.

Someone with more and more varied experience will be along shortly with more interesting things to say, probably.

 

[JimKirk]

I once had a Model 57 S&W 6" and it was a very fun gun to shoot and load for !! I loaded lots of the Sierra 170 gr JHC & 210 gr JHC bullets along with a bunch of cast lead bullets ....

It loads just like any straight wall revolver cartridge ... .357 mag 44 mag ..... I used W296/H110/2400 with the JHC and full loads ... mostly Unique for the cast ... along with a few others ... I shot lots of BlueDot ... but I believe that is not recommended anymore ....

Someone broke in and relieved me of my 57 during my FIL's funeral ... along with eleven other guns and a shoe box full of pocket knives .... I waited to replace it with the 657 and just never got around to doing so .... when I finally decided ... the 657 were like hens teeth and I got a S&W 629 ... wish I had got the 657 ...

 

[Hondo 60]

I have a 58-1 & I've developed 2 loads as well.
A soft shooting load with Titegroup & a 210 gr LSWC
And a Kickbutt load with 2400 & a 210gr JHP

I like to mix 'em in 1 cylinder so as to never know what's next.
Helps a LOT with learning not to flinch

 

[Drail]

I have been loading .41 mag ammo for many years. For light loads I use Red Dot, Green Dot, Bullseye, Win. Super Target. For heavier loads I got hooked on 2400 back in the dark ages and still like it. Unique is a very good medium and moderately heavy load powder - it develops extremely low pressures. Hondo, that is a beautiful M 58. Just fabulous. I bought a M 57 4 in. back in the 1980s (still work it a lot) but I wish had stumbled across an M 58 along the way back when I was buying hardware (and could afford it). I think that may have been one of S&W's finest revolvers. Old Elmer had some pretty darn good ideas.........

 

[RealGun]

If you need to buy powder rather than force use of something you have, look at BE-86, which serves the role of Unique without the disadvantages. Also AA#7 makes a good range load without all the magnum drama. I use H110, IMR4227. A2400 is available too, but a favorite is Ramshot Enforcer. Plenty of choices. For jacketed bullets I can find loads using 300-MP.

 

[Walkalong]

Helps a LOT with learning not to flinch

No doubt!

 

[200Apples]

any tips on reloading for the .41 magnum

Be sure to have a good roll crimp when the bullet's seated.

A lot of .41 shooters seem to like 9 grs Unique under a 215-gr lswc... I only recently started handloading, and thanks to .41! I reloaded my very first cartridges working up to that 9 gr recipe. Being new to the craft, I thought I'd work up to that milder load. My 9-gr loads will be next, but I'm also blessed to have much overtime at work along with some household responsibilities which are keeping me from the bench.

 

[luzyfuerza]

I have a couple of 41 mag revolvers...a three screw old model and a Model 57. My experience with loads using Unique for these guns is described here:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/range-report-for-41-mag-old-model-blackhawk.809002/

I really like these guns...accurate, inexpensive to feed, with a little more power and range than .357 magnum. Great everyday guns to carry around the property.

I probably won't spend a lot of time developing higher velocity barn-burner loads for these guns. If I need something with more oomph, I'll pull out an AR in 300 blackout, or a real rifle in .308 or 30-06.

It sure is good to have choices.

 

[TfflHndn]

Look at SNS Casting and Rim Rock Bullets for good prices on coated (SNS) and lead (Rim Rock) bullets. Both make quality bullets that work well in my .41 (and .44, and .357, and .32...).

 

[Hondo 60]

They're only inexpensive to feed if you cast your own.

I usually like to get factory ammo for the brass.
Good Luck in finding .41 Mag anywhere.

Even the brass is hard to find, unless you want 500 at a time (direct from Starline).

 

[RealGun]

They're only inexpensive to feed if you cast your own.

I usually like to get factory ammo for the brass.
Good Luck in finding .41 Mag anywhere.

Even the brass is hard to find, unless you want 500 at a time (direct from Starline).

Actually that is the way to buy brass, if committed to reloading and shooting a cartridge.

 

[RealGun]

I have a couple of 41 mag revolvers...a three screw old model and a Model 57. My experience with loads using Unique for these guns is described here:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/range-report-for-41-mag-old-model-blackhawk.809002/

I really like these guns...accurate, inexpensive to feed, with a little more power and range than .357 magnum. Great everyday guns to carry around the property.

I probably won't spend a lot of time developing higher velocity barn-burner loads for these guns. If I need something with more oomph, I'll pull out an AR in 300 blackout, or a real rifle in .308 or 30-06.

It sure is good to have choices.

Kind of moot if only loading Unique. Part of the attraction of 41 is that the cartridge typically occurs in guns big enough to absorb more recoil energy than the common 357 Magnum gun, originally a Smith N-Frame, quickly yielding to demand for smaller, lighter carry guns and then milder ammo loads.

 

[RealGun]

I finally stepped up to test loading my first ammo using H110 and it was for the 6" NMBH Flat Top in .41 Magnum. It was not the devastation I imagined, since I shoot very well with robust loads of 44 Magnum in other guns. I am now set to load up a full box of that H110 load and one for 44 Magnum, also testing well.