Anyone Reload .41 Magnum?

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ObsidianOne

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Just recently was given the gift of a Ruger Redhawk .41 Magnum and have come to the conclusion that reloading is going to be a must.

I already have a single stage Lee setup reloading 9mm, but I'm wondering, is there anything that I'll need to do differently with this caliber?
I want to be able to plink with this, but at the same time, make full house .41 mag.
I'm currently reloading 9mm with Unique powder, should I make a switch to Trailboss?

I'm planning on using these:
http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=85&category=5&secondary=23&keywords=
to reload cheaper, $42 per 500 bullets, and ordering around 100 pieces of brass from Midway for around $20, and the Lee dies look like they're around $27.
Should I be using large pistol primers or magnum primers?
How fast can I run those lead bullets until they start causing me issues with leading? Can I run them magnum speeds?
 
I've been loading my S&W 657 with the Missouri 215 gr LSWC and 7.0 gr of Unique for about a year now. Recoil is on the milder side and accuracy has been very good.
 
The 41 is definately a reloaders caliber. I have loaded that bullet with 9.5 grains of Unique with good results. If I remember correctly that chrono'd at about 1050 fps out of a 7.5 inch RSBH. I tried from 7 grains to 9.5 with the the heavier leading the least. For a magnum load I use 20 grains of IMR 4227 and a Hornady XTP. I got nearly 1300 fps out of that. With Unique a standard LP primer is fine. I use Winchester LP's which can be used as standard or magnum. You need a roll crimp on the 41.
 
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LOLBELL said:
The 41 is definately a reloaders caliber. I have loaded that bullet with 9.5 grains of Unique with good results. If I remember correctly that chrono'd at about 1050 fps out of a 7.5 inch RSBH. I tried from 7 grains to 9.5 with the the heavier leading the least. For a magnum load I use 20 grains of IMR 4227 and a Hornady XTP. I got nearly 1300 fps out of that. With Unique a standard LP primer is fine. I use Winchester LP's which can be used as standard or magnum. You need a roll crimp on the 41.
Click to expand...

I'm a little confused when you say
I tried from 7 grains to 9.5 with the the heavier leading the least.
Click to expand...
. Do you mean that using 9.5 leaded less than the 7?

And just pick up a Lee roll crimp die for the .41 Magnum?
 
Yes, 9.5 leaded less.There are alot of variables in leading, throat and groove diameter bullet hardness and shape. The harder the bullet the more pressure it takes to seal the base of the bullet to your forceing cone and barrell grove. That bullet has a BHN of 18 which is pretty hard. If enough pressure is not built up gases goes around the bullet causing leading. This is a simpleton's explaination coming form one. A good read on leading is http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm You can crimp with your seater die but I prefer to seat and crimp in seperate steps.
 
LOLBELL said:
Yes, 9.5 leaded less.There are alot of variables in leading, throat and groove diameter bullet hardness and shape. The harder the bullet the more pressure it takes to seal the base of the bullet to your forceing cone and barrell grove. That bullet has a BHN of 18 which is pretty hard. If enough pressure is not built up gases goes around the bullet causing leading. This is a simpleton's explaination coming form one. A good read on leading is http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Contents.htm You can crimp with your seater die but I prefer to seat and crimp in seperate steps.
Click to expand...
Awesome, thank you LOLBELL, much appreciated!
Also, interesting link!
 
The .41 Magnum is my hands-down favorite revolver cartridge. I've been reloading it for over 30 years, and I get by with only two powders. 2400 and Unique...and if I had to pick just one of those, I could get by nicely with Unique.

Unique. 7.5 grains with a 210-215 grain cast SWC closely duplicates the old "Police" loading's advertised velocities. 8.5-9 grains is a good general-purpose load that's accurate and has ample power for most intended uses without being abusive to the gun or the shooter. 10 grains is a practical maximum that gets into respectable horsepower.

The same bullet with 18 grains of 2400 really turns it on. If you need more power and bullet mass, you need to step up to the .44 Magnum. With one of the "Hammerhead" bullets in 210-230 grains, it's serious medicine for those big, cantankerous black boar that get uppity over your presence in their territory. Although every revolver is a law unto itself, I've found that there is little practical use in going beyond 18 grains as very little return is gotten by adding more powder.

There's a lot to like about the .41 and just not much not to like. Welcome to the club.

Disclaimer: With any of the upper-end data mentioned, reduce by 10% and work up. Those loads have proven safe in all my revolvers. They may not be in yours.
 
ObsidianOne said:
JShould I be using large pistol primers or magnum primers?
Click to expand...
When loading handgun ammo using a Magnum primer is dictated by the powder you are using, not the caliber. If you're using Unique, 2400 or Trail Boss a standard LPP is just fine. If you're using a hard to ignite Ball Powder like HS-6, HS-7 or W296/H110 a magnum primer is required.
ObsidianOne said:
Also, LOLBELL, this is what I need to do the roll crimp, correct?

And I noticed those bullets I linked earlier are .411 diameter, but I read that .410 is what you need for 41 Magnum, will this make a difference?

https://fsreloading.com/lee-cbd-fc-die-41-mag-90416.html
Click to expand...
Your normal die set, namely the seating die, will apply the correct crimp to your ammo. Some loaders like the Lee FCD and some hate it. You may or may not like the Factory Crimp Die. I like it because I like to seat and crimp in a separate operation but it's not necessary.
 
41 fan

Awesome caliber!! I have been reloading it for 10 years, I have used

19.5 grns H-110 w/210 grn Hornady XTP's and 210 grn Speer Gold Dots for a published 1350 fps
11.5 grns HS-6 w/215 grn Keith SWC (Brinnel 20) for a published 1150 fps
8.5 grns Green Dot w/215 grn Keith SWC (Brinnel 20) for a published 1000 fps

I do not have a chrony and my speeds are probably less as I have a Ruger Blackhawk with 4-5/8" barrel and a Smith & Wesson 57-5 Mtn Gun w/4" barrel.

These loads in my guns all shoot 2"-3" @ 25 yds and and 4"-6" @ 50yds off hand, no bench, no bags. I have managed some better groups at times and I'm sure a "real" gun hand could shoot better than me. But those guns are a hoot to shoot and I'm much better with a rifle.

added note; sized to .410=jacketed sized .411=lead & lead w/gas check
 
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1911Tuner, have you ever used Missouri Bullet Co's Outlaw bullet before? What would that type of bullet classify as?
When you say 2400, you're referring to Alliant 2400, right?
Never had any experience with Trailboss?
Also, Unique doesn't seem to have any listings for .41 mag for cast bullets?

Interesting recipe, and thank you for the welcome to the club :) I was a little skeptical at first, but I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with this gun :)

Thank you ArchAngelCD, I know not to use a magnum primer unless the recipe calls for it, but for some reason I didn't apply it to this, go figure :D

So basically all I need is Lee's 3 die set for 41 Magnum, right?

tahoe2, thank you for your load data :)
Thank you for clearing up that size issue, I was concerned about that!
 
Lee dies ? Yes! Lee is all I have ever used ( 7 rifle calibers & 4 pistol calibers)
accurate and dependable ammo without incident, been loading 20+ years. I have had my Lee pro 1000 since 1987, and still going strong.
 
tahoe2 said:
Lee dies ? Yes! Lee is all I have ever used ( 7 rifle calibers & 4 pistol calibers)
accurate and dependable ammo without incident, been loading 20+ years. I have had my Lee pro 1000 since 1987, and still going strong.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I rather like Lee as well :) but all I need is the 3 die set, right? That will do the roll crimp I need while seating?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Yes the Lee seater will do a roll crimp. You can adjust it to just seat bullets in one step, readjust to crimp in another step. This is what I like to do.
 
I've never used those bullets either. I like to stay with more common bullet weights as it's easier to find what you need as far load data is concerned. Like 1911Tuner I use only Unique and 2400 in the .41 magnum. The load of 8.5gr of Unique under a 210gr SWC is a good one. 1911Tuner turned me on to that load last year. Also as 1911Tuner already pointed out 10gr of Unique is MAX with any 210gr bullet. However IMHO if you require more performance than what 9.0gr of Unique will give go to a slower powder like 2400.

The most accurate load I've shot to date is a 220gr H&G #258 Kieth bullet and 19.0gr of 2400. However I backed that down to 18.5gr as it was easier on me and the gun and the accuracy was still very good. That load will take anything that a sensible person should be shooting with a handgun including moose. You can find these bullets here http://www.montanabulletworks.com/41_Mag.html

You may also want to look here for some more choices in cast bullets for the .41 mag http://www.rimrockbullets.net/catalog/
 
The link that you provided shows the 225gr bullets @ $42/500, while the rimrock 240gr SWC bullets are only $2 more. I can't agree more with you on the Montana bullet works bullets though. I've bought a lot of cast bullets however and can tell you that you get what pay for. They are the finest cast bullets I've ever spent my money on. If you read up on his web site you will find that he hand casts his bullets with a laddle. I used just enough to come up with a accurate powerful hunting load. The rest will be loaded up for those situations that require magnum power.
 
I get 1350fps out of my 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk with CCI LPPs & 18.2gr of 2400 under a Dardas 215gr "Keith". I prefer 17.5gr for 1310fps for less sturm & drang, but equal accuracy.

I'm going to play with some RimRock 230gr & 265gr before long, as well as work up some loads with Unique.
 
336A said:
The link that you provided shows the 225gr bullets @ $42/500, while the rimrock 240gr SWC bullets are only $2 more. I can't agree more with you on the Montana bullet works bullets though. I've bought a lot of cast bullets however and can tell you that you get what pay for. They are the finest cast bullets I've ever spent my money on. If you read up on his web site you will find that he hand casts his bullets with a laddle. I used just enough to come up with a accurate powerful hunting load. The rest will be loaded up for those situations that require magnum power.
Click to expand...
I apologize, I was incorrect, you're right, it was $42. And I was looking on the wrong section on RimRockBullets :S Prices were much higher in that section lol
 
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