A new cartridge for me....41 Mag

C

Cheesemaker

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I started reloading with 44 Mag in the 80s (shows my age :)). I now reload 38Spl, 45 ACP, 357Mag, 10mm, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 460 S&W and 500 S&W. And some rifle cartridges.

So, new to me: 41 Magnum. I went about this in a "backwards" kinda way bought brass before the firearm.
Ordered some cases from Starline in mid January. They were backordered, arrived a week or so ago. Then I purchased a S&W Model 57 6" and I picked it up a couple of days ago. Ordered some Hornady 210gr XTPs and I now have them.

Any "pet loads", preferred powder that y'all 41 Mag folks like/prefer? I have 2400, AA#7, AA#9, IMR4227, H110, Power Pistol, Lil Gun, HS-6 on hand. Unique too. My primer stock is OK too - standard and magnum LP.

Simple target stuff. No hunting with this.
Thanks
 
#9 is about the perfect burn rate for hot loads in the 41 magnum. If you don't want top end loads, HS6 and Power Pistol will work great. 11.0 gr of HS6 will give you about 1100 fps with a 210-215 gr bullet.
 
You sound exactly like me… almost exactly. My back order of starline brass came and I have a brand new model 57 (a 657 recently found its way home too but we won’t talk about how). I really liked 17.5 of 2400 under the xtp bullet (Lyman max is 17.8).

I also really liked the MBC 225 grain outlaw bullet over 6.6 grains of HP-38. Quick load says roughly 950 FPS for that one.

Quick load also said 15-16 grains of 2400 for the 225 grain outlaw bullet would be a safe range. 16 grains is pretty much max.

This is my limited experience in the last month with 41. It’s a lot of fun! I prefer the N frame 6 inch over the 4 inch K frame 357. I could shoot the MBC 225 grain load with HP-38 all day.
 
Simple target stuff. No hunting with this.
Click to expand...

That's a shame it does such a good job with 200 and 210gr bullets. :D

I use AA-7 and 9 a lot for mine as well as 296/H110. One of my favorite loads used the Rem 200gr SJHP over 296. It was easy shooting, accurate, and hit game with plenty of umph. I took out LOTS of feral hogs and a few whitetails with it. The XTP or the Sierra 210 would be my next choices.

That said if you or someone you know cast, there are a handful of great mold by MP, NOE, and Accurate that really work well with this caliber. These folks carry a couple very similar to what I pour, https://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6
 
Great round! Mostly a handloader's deal though due to ammo availability.

I have used Trailboss, Titegroup, and 296/H110 in it.
Trailboss for mild stuff.
Mix of LSWC, XTP's, and Berry's plated.

I think coated would do fine in it but I had those on hand so didn't need to buy any.
 
I load mostly Bayou Bullets coated in my .41 Mag. Hornady XTP when I feel like I want some full loads. Have not really found a mid range powder that stands out. Everything seems to work okay.,
 
I love to shoot 210gn powder coated cast swc over 8gn of universal or unique with a standard primer

20gn of h110 under 210gn xtp or Speer deep curls with a mag primer

16.5gn 2400 with a cast and coated 240gn swc

it’s hard to find loads that’s don’t shoot well
 
Cheesemaker said:
Any "pet loads", preferred powder that y'all 41 Mag folks like/prefer? I have 2400, AA#7, AA#9, IMR4227, H110, Power Pistol, Lil Gun, HS-6 on hand. Unique too. My primer stock is OK too - standard and magnum LP.
Click to expand...

blackd24 said:
All of my google searches said 8 grains of Unique in 41 mag is a great combo.
Click to expand...

I have 3 basic .41 loads...

8-9grn Unique under any generic 215grn'ish cast bullet... plinker for the pistols. For you, HS-6 would probably work like Unique, as well as AA#5. For what it's worth... Unique is out there, I just saw 4 8# jugs of it at my LGS last week. It is a fantastic powder for the .41 for mid-range loads.

Jacketed bullets get either IMR4227 or W296... the 210grn XTP is a very good bullet, but I have yet to find one that shot bad; my very favorite bullet is the 220grn Remington JSP... but I believe those are out of production. For you, everything you list except HS-6 and Unique would give you Magnum-level loads. If you wanted something a little milder... you are back at Unique and HS-6.

Heavy cast (250grns) gets W296 or IMR4227. Unique with the heavies is punishing, although I've done it.

Remember... Magnum primers are dictated by the powder, not necessarily the cartridge. H110 gets one, IMR4227 can benefit from it in some cases, but they are not necessary. I'm not sure about powders like PowerPistol or Lil'Gun.
 
Congratulations on your recent purchase! I think you will enjoy it.

I shoot mostly 210-220 grain Keith Type cast SWC's in mine. My play load is 8 or 9 grains of unique and my magnum load is 16-17 grains of 2400. I use a standard primer with both of these. I see you list both of those in your stock.
 
Awesome replies - thank you all. I will work a few loads and see how they go. I will start with 2400, Unique and AA#9. I checked my Hornady manual for the 210gr XTP - and I have all of the powders listed except 2.
Thanks again.
 
I've been loading this cartridge for a Ruger BH since the late 90's. H110 is my go-to for full power jacketed. You don't need a magnum primer for this cartridge. It might help with consistency with H110, but most of the data out there is worked with a standard LP so approach with caution. I have never used a mag primer and have burned a lot of 110 with fine results.

I like IMR 4227 for high speed cast loads I used to shoot in IHMSA silhouette. Went to H110/jacketed there as my bullet was discontinued and I got leading with others I tried so I gave up and just shot the Hornady 210 4227 will get you magnum lite velocities, slightly lower than you can achieve with H110.

Berrys makes a bullet which I believe is intended for the 41 AE or something weird. A 210 gr plated with no cannelure. I LOVE this bullet for mild to medium loads. I've used Unq, HS-6, and Red Dot for these. Can't remember the charges, but I was running the RD very slow, and the Unq and H-6 stepping right along. I put a mild roll crimp on these loads despite the lack of cannelure and it worked out for me.

Generic plinking loads I've done mostly with Red Dot or Unique. 8 gr Unique, I'll not quote the RD as it was very much off-book. I referenced Lyman cast data for some faster burning powders and interpolated. Unique is my standard here, but have also tried HS-6. I got better accuracy with the unique.
 
9.0 gr Unique under a 215 gr coated SWC will let you know you are shooting a magnum without beating you up like full power loads will. Back it down to 8.5 or even 8 gr if you want a bit less oomph. This powder/cartridge combo is very versatile and lets you tailor loads to your desired results.

I also load Starline .41 Special cases with 7.0 gr Unique and a 215 gr SWC for pleasant plinking loads. (Just treat them like any other special-in-a-magnum-cylinder and clean the chambers after for easy insertion/extraction of magnum length rounds.)

If you run across some, AA#5 and HP-38/W231 can also be used for mid range .41 Mag loads with great results.

Welcome to the club! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
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