N frame 41 mag fun and questions

[blackd24]

I was at the range today shooting my model 57. I have a load developed that’s 225 grain coated lead bullet over 6.6 HP-38. Pretty light (relative to the magnum load). I was at 15 yards holding at 6 o’clock and I was in the center target - good groups within about a 3 inch circle. Really good shooting for me and for the amount of rounds I have through the gun.

I then shot my 210 grain XTP over 17.5 grains of 2400 - just a little more horsepower. I was missing left and low. But when I aimed dead center on the “clock” I was hitting the target, but missing consistently left.

Is the left miss a flinch from the magnum load?

The POI difference - is that something to be expected? And how would you handle this… I guess I just need to remember the POI is different and I have to hold over different for each load.

 

[Jim Watson]

Might be a flinch, but I HAVE seen changes in deflection with different loads that you might expect to only change in elevation.

I would use those little screws on the sight. Make a note of clicks up and over from one load to the other.

 

[Bill M.]

Maybe a change in how your hold reacts to the recoil. Maybe pulling or flinching a little to the left in anticipation of the trigger break.

 

[blackd24]

I find it interesting that I don’t notice a significant change in POI when I shoot 357 vs 38 special in my model 19 from the same distance. The model 19 is a 4 inch barrel and the 57 is a 6 inch barrel.

 

[AJC1]

I miss bull high and left 2" at 10 yards because of an astigmatism. Guns with more horsepower are like loads you haven't learned to trust. Time and experience builds faith.

 

[41 Mag]

Could be anticipating the shot just a bit. I was doing it when I shot my 454. Just enough added squeeze to pull low and left.

Took me a bit to decipher it, and then a bit to get over it. I was fine with everything up to it but the added pop would have me tighten up just as the trigger broke.

Just something to consider.

 

[blackd24]

Yea I would say I’m low and left if anything. I’ll have to keep shooting it to get used to it.

 

[EricBu]

I was at the range today shooting my model 57. I have a load developed that’s 225 grain coated lead bullet over 6.6 HP-38. Pretty light (relative to the magnum load). I was at 15 yards holding at 6 o’clock and I was in the center target - good groups within about a 3 inch circle. Really good shooting for me and for the amount of rounds I have through the gun.

I then shot my 210 grain XTP over 17.5 grains of 2400 - just a little more horsepower. I was missing left and low. But when I aimed dead center on the “clock” I was hitting the target, but missing consistently left.

Is the left miss a flinch from the magnum load?

The POI difference - is that something to be expected? And how would you handle this… I guess I just need to remember the POI is different and I have to hold over different for each load.

Are you a South paw? I see left handed shooters shoot left with hot loads jerking the trigger/anticipating recoil.

Even if you are a righty, it's possible for sure to left flinch. You try any DA? Oddly, it helps some people, eliminates the anticipation for some folk.

 

[Blue68f100]

It's you changing your grip pressure as you squeeze the trigger. My miss is low left, which is me not putting the trigger finger in the correct position of the trigger shoe. I have short fingers so grip is critical for my finger to land in the right spot. I've changed grips and length of trigger shoes to help correct the problem in 1911's.

 

[Riomouse911]

Have a friend load the cylinder for you a few times, asking him to slip a fired case into a chamber without you knowing when or where it is located ( or even if it is there). Then set up your phone to record yourself as you shoot with an angle something like this.



If you are flinching, the fired case-chamber will “click” when the hammer falls and will let you know. If you do start flinching, the video will show the muzzle dipping as you anticipate the shot. If you are rock solid and consistent throughout, then it’s possibly a sighting issue that is putting you so far off.

I will admit that I get an anticipatory flinch as I shoot. Not every shot, but it’s lurking and when I boot a shot I know it. It honestly drives me nuts. I often catch it when shooting slow and methodically, and using video I have caught instances where my muzzle will dip when I video myself at the range.

Stay safe.

 

[Riomouse911]

Oh, and good deal with the Model 57 and the .41 Magnum! Mine is a 4” no-dash, and it is paired up with a 6.5” Blackhawk and a 7.5” Redhawk to make up my .41 trio.



I often load and shoot light loads using Starline .41 Special cases and Unique, they work as beautifully as .38 and .44 Special loads do in .357/.44 Mag guns.

Stay safe.

 

[blackd24]

Grip squeeze makes a lot of sense… I’m sure I grip harder because I’m anticipating recoil. I think I just need to do some more shooting and trust the shot

 

[lightman]

I love my M-57! Glad you had a good day with yours! I shoot a cast Keith Type SWC out of wheelweights. I just bought 1000 cases from Starline a month or so back.

 

[Riomouse911]

I love my M-57! Glad you had a good day with yours! I shoot a cast Keith Type SWC out of wheelweights. I just bought 1000 cases from Starline a month or so back.

Good stuff with 215 gr SWC loads in the 8.0-8.5 gr Unique range.

Stay safe.

 

[blackd24]

I have some H110 as well. I may load some of that up to see POI

 

[41 Mag]

I have some H110 as well. I may load some of that up to see POI

A few dozen or so of those will get your attention

I load most of mine using home cast hp's for general purposes and hunting. Usually I use 110/296 or AA-9 for them. The velocities run in the 1350'ish range and they do great. I loaded and hunted with the Remington 200gr SJHP for many years until they quit selling them as components. After that I found the MP molds using the 640 style profiles to shoot just as accurate. It just took me a while to work up a usable alloy that would expand properly and hold up to the pressure from the load. Once there everything has gone back to SOP.

 

[Charlie98]

Could be anticipating the shot just a bit.

Funny story... my first centerfire experience was shooting my brother's .41MAG S&W. Back in the day, when I was young and indestructible, I wanted MOARRR power, more recoil... and my brother and I handloaded to that end.

Once I got away from centerfire... I bought 2 .22LR pistols as MY first pistols... I had to unlearn all of the very bad habits I learned shooting heavy recoiling centerfire. It took me some time... about 3-4 years... and a LOT of shooting to learn how to shoot correctly.

Grip squeeze makes a lot of sense… I’m sure I grip harder because I’m anticipating recoil. I think I just need to do some more shooting and trust the shot

Part of my pistol shooting reeducation also centered on grip. I relate it like this... you are 'holding' the pistol with everything but your trigger finger. That's it... that's all. You MUST divorce your trigger finger from the rest of your hand. Once you line up on the target... then the trigger finger goes to work... all the while the rest of the hand is simply 'holding' the pistol. If your grip tightens on the pistol as your trigger finger is pulling the trigger... you are wrong.... you are trying to squeeze the trigger with your entire hand... for a righty, low and left is usually the result.

Shooting a light-recoiling revolver DA is a good trainer for grip and trigger control, as is a semiauto with a longer trigger pull (the Kahr comes to mind.) On those longer trigger pulls, I used to find that the last 1/8" or so of trigger pull I was overgripping the pistol... anticipating both the sear release and the recoil. Hours of repetition fixed most of that...

 

[Targa]

Oh, and good deal with the Model 57 and the .41 Magnum! Mine is a 4” no-dash, and it is paired up with a 6.5” Blackhawk and a 7.5” Redhawk to make up my .41 trio.

View attachment 1166368

I often load and shoot light loads using Starline .41 Special cases and Unique, they work as beautifully as .38 and .44 Special loads do in .357/.44 Mag guns.

Stay safe.

That is an outstanding Trio! I don‘t even have a oneo..

 

[Riomouse911]

That is an outstanding Trio! I don‘t even have a oneo..

Keep an eye peeled, the .41 magnums will pop up every once in a while. Only the true wheel gunners notice the .41’s, as the majority want .44’s, so if you are on it you can buy that first .41 and bring it home.

I scored my first .41, the Redhawk, for $350.00 at a police-oriented gun store about five years ago. It sat on consignment for months at $700, but all the customers were buying the latest autos and back up .38’s. Seeing that it wasn’t getting any attention, on a whim I offered half the asking to the manager . He called the seller, and the seller took it.

By the time the ten day waiting period was up, I already had dies, Starline cases and Missouri bullets at home to whip up my first loads.

Good luck with your search!

Stay safe.