BP in a 41 mag revolver?

[Sacramento Johnson]

Hi all!
Was wondering if anyone here has tried black powder in a .41 mag caliber single action? If so, how did it work out? Thanks!

 

[Navy Six 2]

Yes I did. This was about 20 years ago and I was using a 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk that I still own. I didn't record the particulars but I was using a 220 gr bullet lubed with SPG and started off with Goex 2F but can't recall the exact charge. I do remember thinking I should try 3F because that particular bullet took up a fair amount of case space. Accuracy was good at least at 25 yards and that Blackhawk didn't suffer from black powder binding issues. Maybe I should revisit this again as I have some 3F Swiss and it might be interesting to see the results even though I don't have access to a chronograph.

 

[hawg]

Not with a .41 mag but I have with other calibers. it will work fine just don't expect .41 mag pressures.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Same difference as with any other pistol caliber straight case, no better no worse. 4fg is more of a pistol powder, IMO. Velocity would be close to what is achieved with BP in the .45 Colt, .44 Colt, .38 Colt, etc., although the much longer .41 case should hold a bit more powder than the old cartridges. (possibly not as much as the .45 Colt) Probably closest to .44WCF velocity with the same weight bullet.

 

[.38 Special]

I haven't tried it in the .41, but have tried it in the .357, .44, .45, etc. and as has been pointed out, it all works about the same: big boom, big smoke, +/- 900 FPS, and a thorough cleaning afterward.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Yeah when using FFFFg youll be good. The procedure is easy, just fill the case all the way and seat whatever bullet your going to use, it should compress the powder. If not, then just seat it at the level the base of the bullet will go.
Ive done it with 44 Mag and works just fine. Quite powerful actually, just not smokeless powerful.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I would suggest compressing the powder more than what you can do by just seating the bullet, without deforming the bullet. If you want the cleanest burn and most velocity possible. But, of course, you can get by with just compressing the powder a little with the bullet. And some don't compress the powder at all, those who enjoy the most possible amount of smoke. (and fouling!) Just saying.