Range Report for .41 Mag Old Model Blackhawk

[luzyfuerza]

I recently came across a 98% Old Model Blackhawk (uncoverted) in .41 mag with a 4 5/8" barrel and couldn't wait to take it to the range.

I tested loads between 7.0 and 10.0 grains (in half-grain steps) of Unique under a 215 LSWC I cast from an RCBS mold and treated with Felix lube. Five-shot groups varied from 2.3" to 0.7" (center-to-center) at 40'. All rounds had an adequate, but minor crimp.

The most promising load looks to be 8.5 grains of Unique. The Old Model produced a 0.8" five-shot group at 1100 fps (SD=16). This load produced a 1.3" group (at 1109 fps) at the same distance with my worn model 57 with a 6" barrel.

Interestingly, the 6" model 57 generally produced velocities only about 20 fps higher on average than the Blackhawk.

Going forward, I'll vary powder charges between 8.0 and 9.0 grains in 0.2 grain increments. I'll also handweigh the charge in each round to try to reduce velocity variation. Accuracy testing can move out to 25 yards. Finally, I'll experiment with a heavier crimp.

What I saw at the range is common knowledge for you experienced .41 mag shooters, but was really fun to witness in person:

1) Unique is a great fit with the .41 mag (yea, its dirty--but who notices when you're shooting lead using relatively soft lube!).
2) Loads between 8 and 9 grains under 215 grain LSWC bullets produce plenty of velocity and are very accurate.
3) The old model blackhawk is a wonderful platform.

It was a great day at the range!

 

[ATLDave]

8.0 - 8.5 grains of Unique is what I've been using under 210 grain bullets in .41 magnum for fun/target rounds since I picked up a Model 57 around Christmas. It's a fun load!

 

[Drail]

My first center fire handgun was a Ruger Blackhawk in .41. After many years it got traded for a new Bisley Blackhawk in .41. I'll never sell that one. I am a HUGE fan of the .41 cartridge. My most accurate loads are with 2400. I also have a 1979 S&W 57 with a hand tuned action. It is my favorite S&W.

 

[bannockburn]

I had a Model 57 and a Model 58 many years ago but sold them both when I needed the cash. Still have some ammo and reloading components leftover though. Might consider getting a Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel if I ever get the itch for another .41 Magnum.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I just came across a Three Screw Blackhawk chambered for 41 Mag last weekend.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I have never been interested in the 41 Magum cartridge, so I passed it up.

Just not a 41 Mag guy I suppose.

If it had been a 44 Mag or a 357 I would have grabbed it in a heartbeat.

 

[ATLDave]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I have never been interested in the 41 Magum cartridge, so I passed it up.

Who's disappointed?? More for those of us who appreciate the middle magnum!

 

[the Black Spot]

Some law enforcement personnel use to use .41 mag. Got good ratings if i remember.

 

[luzyfuerza]

My follow-up trip taught me a few things, too.

1) Accuracy at 13 yards was the same for individually-weighed charges of 8.4, 8.6, and 8.8 grains of Unique (about 1.0" with the model 57 and 0.7" with the Ruger). Accuracy was worse the further powder charges got outside this range. 8.4-8.8 grains of Unique certainly appears to be sweet in these guns.

2) Crimping didn't seem to make any difference to velocity (about 1180 fps in the Model 57 and 1140 fps in the old model for both light and heavier crimps) with hand-measured charges of 9.0 grains of Unique. The heavier crimp did make the velocity standard deviations bigger (8 with a moderate crimp versus 30 with the heavier crimp). Accuracy was also the same (about 1.5" in each gun) with both the heavy and light crimp.

I was surprised that the heavier crimp didn't seem to have any effect on velocity or accuracy. If this is generally true, then why do so many recommend heavy crimps on big-bore revolvers (other than to eliminate "jumping the crimp" which can lock up the cylinder)? Is a heavy crimp needed on heavy thumpers using 2400 or H110 and not quite so necessary with this moderate load of Unique?

3) A while ago, I picked up some old Speer 220 grain half-jacket bullets that internet posters indicated were extremely accurate. The model 57 loved these bullets, but the old model not so much (1.1" versus 1.7" group). Velocities were about 65 fps slower with this bullet than with my cast boolits. Does a half-jacket count as a j-word?

I was surprised that velocity of the half-jacket bullet was just what the manuals predicted, but that velocities with the cast boolits were about 70 fps higher than the manuals predict. Three things that I can think of could have contributed to this: 1) the OAL for the cast loads was 0.020" shorter than the manuals used (the manuals used maximum OAL), 2) my scale could be off, or 3) the extra 5/8" of barrel length on the Ruger is really important in this caliber. I can't say for sure, but these do create a good reason for another trip to the range!

 

[ATLDave]

Is a heavy crimp needed on heavy thumpers using 4200 or H110 and not quite so necessary with this moderate load of Unique?

Unique is an easy-to-ignite powder; H110 is hard to ignite. The thinking is that a hard crimp lets the H110 build more pressure out of the gate to ensure a more complete burn/ignition. Unique just doesn't have that problem in a serious way.

At least that's my understanding. Could be wrong.