Need .44-40 and .41 Magnum loads

[.41Dave]

I am trying to find loads for 2 different bullets;

1) 225 gr FP lead bullet for a S&W model 544 .44-40

2) 230 gr Keith bullet for an S&W 657 Mountain Gun

I have not been able to find any data for bullets in these weights and calibers anywhere. Does anyone have any good mid-to-warmish loads for these?

 

[tx gun runner]

1) 225 gr FP lead bullet for a S&W model 544 .44-40

Unique 6.0/750fps to 10.0/1050 max

 

[bugs100]

I load a lot of 41 mag. Usally I use Penn 210gr or a Berry 210gr. I really like using Unique for 41mag.

If I was loading a 230gr Keith bullet I would use 8grs of Unique.

 

[.41Dave]

Thanks guys! Unique is one of my favorite powders, I've used it for about everything at one point or another, and from what tn gun runner posted, it looks about perfect for the .44-40. 8 grains of Unique under a 210 grain SWC bullet is my default recipe for the .41, but I was looking for something a little warmer for the 230 gr Keiths. I was hoping to get them moving about 1000-1100 fps.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Did you look at data for the 220gr Speer bullet in .41 mag?, it might give you ballpark loads. I'd look at the starting loads and slowly work up. Did you cast these yourself or buy them?

 

[BremenQ2]

Hodgdon's site has some .41 Mag data for a 245gr cast SWC that is above typical target velocity, it might be a good start if OAL is similar. Their .41 Mag data is based on a 10" barrel, so there is definitely a difference in real world velocity from what they list.

I just acquired a 7.5" 657, so I'm still working on loads myself, but I have found Lil'Gun can make some great velocities with minimal pressure around the 210-240gr range of bullets. 22.0gr with a 210XTP and non-magnum CCI primers gave me 1425fps with low SD, so about 170fps lower than Hodgdon's 10" data. I'm looking forward to trying this powder under a 240gr LBT WFN. Sorry I don't have more firsthand feedback on the cast bullets, hopefully soon!