newbie to reloading... looking for specifics on a 4 5/8 blackhawk .41 mag

[hipoint]

thanks guys, I'll get those manuals on the way as well.

I understand enough now about the hollowpoint bullets not really being worth a flip for a 100 yard pistol shot (meaning expansion and all that) and have been of the opinion even before I seriously thought about reloading that a .41 size hole is plenty big enough ;-)

Until I can get someone from montana bullet works to get back in touch with me (I'm sure they work all the time and don't just answer the phone because it rings) I'm thinking of ordering from Missouri Bullet Company

http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?category=5&secondary=23

I'm thinking the Trooper may be best because of the lube grooves looking a little more substantial, I wish I could get the Trooper with it's 215 gr. weight but with the Outlaw tapered nose.... I guess that's how it goes. When I find something that works, you bet I'll start casting my own, might as well. I can get all the other components locally and I prefer to shop local when possible.

thanks for the info, any suggestions on these missouri bullets would be welcomed!

 

[CraigC]

I understand enough now about the hollowpoint bullets not really being worth a flip for a 100 yard pistol shot (meaning expansion and all that) and have been of the opinion even before I seriously thought about reloading that a .41 size hole is plenty big enough

Nonsense and I don't know where the above comes from. While I am a HUGE proponent of cast bullets and they work VERY well on game, a good jacketed hollow or soft point tends to put deer down quicker. You don't need gobs of penetration to kill whitetail but expansion does help anchor them more effectively. And yes, jacketed pistol bullets do expand at pistol velocities, that's what they're designed to do. The two I recommended are very well reputed.

 

[hipoint]

well then, color me ashamed

I'll look into those as I do not wish to order a 500 count of bullets for my first go around anyhow. I'll check those out and report my inexperienced findings.

I had read on quite a few different articles/opinions that they were not expanding, I'll order me some then since I can get those in 100 lot batches.

 

[Lerk]

hipoint- I recently started loading .41mag as well, and it is by far the my favorite caliber to shoot now. I've used both Missouri Outlaw and Trooper bullets with great results. Also have some of True Dog Casting Works lead Keith SWC that'd were great also. For jacketed, the only ones I've used are the Hornady XTP's and as always I'm very pleased with them as well. I would recommend just putting in an order with Starline brass for some bulk brass to have. I ordered a 1000 right away so I don't have to worry about it for a long time, very pleased with them as well as it was my first starline purchse. As for powders, I'm playing around with Universal, Trail Boss, Unique, H110, and 2400 and the Redhawk likes them all. From my experience, the .41 has been the easiest to load for and hasn't been finicky at all, but YMMV. Best of luck loading and have fun putting the lead downrange.

Also, if you looking at loading cast bullets, I'd recommend getting both the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook, they both contain some very useful tips for loading for revolvers and cast bullets (especially helpful for me as I'm relatively new to cast bullets) and also both contain some load data for the .41mag.

 

[hipoint]

thank you lerk! I now have so much info in this thread I'm going to have to take notes! I think this thread has turned out to be very informative for myself and any new loaders looking aroung, all of these folks commenting on here have been very knowledgeable and happy to share.

 

[Lerk]

Another good thread to check out if you haven't already is the .41 Mag Association, bunch of loading data, bullet preferences, and overall just information about .41 in there, but you have to dig a bit to find it.

.41 Mag Association