.41 with cast bullets

bekellog · March 1, 2011, 02:44 PM

Hello Im new here and I am wondering if anyone has any load data for a .41 using 215gr cast lead bullets??? or if someone can point me in the right direction, Im having a hard time finding much data. Any and all data is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Saltydog235 · March 1, 2011, 03:28 PM

I'll have to check the amount but I use to shoot cast in my 57's with a light load of Unique. Good and cheap for practice but dirty.

jepp2 · March 1, 2011, 05:20 PM

The Hodgdon website has a few powders listed for your bullet weight.

Hodgdon Load Data

m&p45acp10+1 · March 1, 2011, 05:26 PM

I like using a 210 grain home cast LSWC with about 4.5 grains or so of Trail Boss. For the warmer loads I like Acurte Arms #9 it is way cleaner than 2400, with less muzzle flash. Lyman's Pistol and Revolver 3rd Edition has some loads listed for it. As well as the free download from aurate arms site.

zxcvbob · March 1, 2011, 05:32 PM

I've just started loading for mine; using a 210 grain cast bullet with 9.0 grains of Rex III powder and Tula LP primers. Seems to be a decent load but I don't have much to compare with yet, and weather is not really conducive to load development for another month or so. But 9 grains of Universal or 9.5 grains of Unique be a similar place to start with a 215.

What powders do you have? (probably not anything by Rex

) Are you looking for something approaching .44 Magnum ballistics, or more like a .40 S&W or .44 Special?

bekellog · March 1, 2011, 05:44 PM

im just looking for something to practice with and get use to a new gun with--if that makes sense, I am fairly new to pistol reloading-however i have loaded for rifles for a while now, just don't want to tear anything up.

Thanks

10 Spot Terminator · March 1, 2011, 10:29 PM

Here are a few moderate target loads easy on the hands you can try for a beginner,,, once you are comfortable with the lighter loads you can bump up to some of the heavier perfomers. Am supposing you mean .41 Mag and not a .41 special,,, Use Lg. Pistol ( not magnum ) primers and your 215 gr. LSWC

5.5 gr. of Titegroup

15.7 gr. IMR 4227

4.9 gr. of Clays ( not universal clays )

6.5 gr. of W231 or HP-38 ( same powder )

dardascastbullets · March 2, 2011, 09:09 AM

Purchase a copy of the Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition and you will be bathed in cast bullet load data for your 41. They can be had for reasonable in Amazon.

**Mike Irwin** · March 2, 2011, 09:22 AM

I use either WW 231 or Accurate Arms No. 7 for my .41 Mag with 215-gr. lead bullets.

WESHOOT2 · March 2, 2011, 02:48 PM

i found perfection with 7.3g Universal / CCI350 / sized case / 215g LSWC / Redding Profile Crimp die; 'firm'.

Good enough for USPSA competition ("accurate"; "easy to shoot fast real fast") and a 204 PF.

Ideal Tool · March 3, 2011, 02:13 AM

When I shot IHMSA, I used a Mod. 57 S&W 8 3/8" 18.0gr. H110, Mag. primer,
Lyman #419429 220grs. Cast of range scrap.

bekellog · March 3, 2011, 07:25 PM

Thanks for all the replies, Im gonna try to find some of these powders and see what i can come up with!!!! Thanks

m&p45acp10+1 · March 3, 2011, 08:44 PM

for good practice rounds Trail Boss is a great powder to use. You will not get super scorcher velocities, or a big boom, and flash. Just managable recoil. With good accuray. The nice little extra is it is very clean. It also gives great case fill. Go to Hodgdaon for the directions it is easy to use.

bekellog · March 4, 2011, 02:16 PM

Just checked with the local gun shop and the only powder he had that has been menitoned here was Universal Clays--My ??? is this a suitable powder, and will it work for other .41 mag loads???

Thanks

zxcvbob · March 4, 2011, 02:47 PM

Universal Clays will work great. (just make sure it really is Universal and not International or just plain Clays.)

You'll be able to load anything from mild target loads to low-end "magnum" loads with it.

bekellog · March 4, 2011, 03:04 PM

Would around 6 gr. be a good starting load or would that be too much??

zxcvbob · March 4, 2011, 03:45 PM

6 grains should be a great place to start; if anything it's a little light. Maximum is probably about 9.5 with Universal.

crowbeaner · March 4, 2011, 06:47 PM

You don't specify just what gun you have, so forgive me if I don't expound at great length on this thread. I CAN say that the Forgotten Magnum is one of my all time favorites. I carried a four inch model 57 for over 10 years. It remains my favorite belt gun.
RCBS 41-210-SWC 10.0 of IMR 4756, sized to .410", RP brass, CCI 300.
Same bullet and diameter, 19.0 of 2400, same primer and brass
Same bullet, same diameter, 21.0 of WW 296, CCI 350, WW brass
Lyman 410610, Lyman gascheck, sized .410" FC brass, 20.5 of WW 296, CCI 350.
Lyman 410459, sized .410", 19.0 of 2400, CCI 300, RP brass
Lyman 41032 212 gr, sized .410", 19.0 of 2400, CCI 300, WW brass.
Lyman 410610 as above, WW brass, 17.5 of 2400, CCI 300

If you are shooting a Ruger Blackhawk or Bisley, the RCBS bullet seated normally will be too long for the chamber throat unless Ruger has modified their reamers. You will only be able to load 3 or 4 chambers as the cylinder will bind because the cartridges are backed out against the recoil shield.

I shot my Ruger Bisley at the rams at 200, using the 410610 and 296 load. I had to crank the rear sight waaaay up and hold over the back, but I could hit them. Hope this helps. CB.

bekellog · March 4, 2011, 07:18 PM

I went to my local gun store and found out he got some Unique, whitch i have heard that It can be used--anyone have any loads for a .41mag shooting 215gr, lead bullets??? using unique???

Thank you very much

zxcvbob · March 4, 2011, 07:35 PM

Do you have a reloading manual? Serious question. (btw, there's not a nickel's worth of difference between Universal and Unique, although the load data is a little different)

bekellog · March 4, 2011, 08:32 PM

Yes i have 3 loading manuals, however none of them have any data on a .41 with cast bullets

Ive been loading rifle for 6 yrs now, so this pistol reloading is new to me

Thanks

ipscchef · March 5, 2011, 06:08 AM

Bekellog,
welcome to The Firing Line!!

The Hodgdons manual has listings for the 215gr. cast LFP using Titegroup, Clays, and Trail Boss. As another poster said, get a Lyman book, and you should have more than enough info for your needs.
The .41 Mag is one of my very favorite cartriges! I have an old three screw Ruger Blackhawk that I load for. It is just a great cartrige, IMO.
What is your gun? I load mine with a Cast Performance 265gr. WLNFP, and it is pretty "warm"

, so I don't think it is what you are looking for. But if you are shooting a Ruger, and you want to step up in power, I can PM you my loads and results. I avoid posting loads publicly due to possible errors, etc.
Again welcome to TFL!! You have come to the right place!!

Bill "Willy" Henderson

WESHOOT2 · March 5, 2011, 07:17 AM

Other than on-target performance, there is a vast difference between Unique (I've used Unique since 1976) and Universal.

I use (mostly) Universal for its easy metering, its ballistic performance, and its cleanliness.

Try shooting your 44 Redhawk at a 250-rd USPSA match with Unique; I dare you

You'll look like Amos 'n Andy; your gun WILL foul unless you heavily hose it down between stages; your orange-ramp front blade will blacken during a 32-rd field course; that ONE rd that got loaded when the Unique bridged in the measure might lock your cylinder with its bullet stuck between forcing cone and barrel.

I recommend Universal for good reasons.....

March 1, 2011, 02:44 PM	#1
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	.41 with cast bullets Hello Im new here and I am wondering if anyone has any load data for a .41 using 215gr cast lead bullets??? or if someone can point me in the right direction, Im having a hard time finding much data. Any and all data is greatly appreciated Thanks

March 1, 2011, 05:32 PM	#5
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I've just started loading for mine; using a 210 grain cast bullet with 9.0 grains of Rex III powder and Tula LP primers. Seems to be a decent load but I don't have much to compare with yet, and weather is not really conducive to load development for another month or so. But 9 grains of Universal or 9.5 grains of Unique be a similar place to start with a 215. What powders do you have? (probably not anything by Rex ) Are you looking for something approaching .44 Magnum ballistics, or more like a .40 S&W or .44 Special? __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

March 2, 2011, 09:09 AM	#8
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Purchase a copy of the Lee Modern Reloading Second Edition and you will be bathed in cast bullet load data for your 41. They can be had for reasonable in Amazon. __________________ Matt Dardas

March 2, 2011, 02:48 PM	#10
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	when I had that 5.5" Redhawk i found perfection with 7.3g Universal / CCI350 / sized case / 215g LSWC / Redding Profile Crimp die; 'firm'. Good enough for USPSA competition ("accurate"; "easy to shoot fast real fast") and a 204 PF. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

March 3, 2011, 08:44 PM	#13
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	for good practice rounds Trail Boss is a great powder to use. You will not get super scorcher velocities, or a big boom, and flash. Just managable recoil. With good accuray. The nice little extra is it is very clean. It also gives great case fill. Go to Hodgdaon for the directions it is easy to use. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

March 1, 2011, 03:28 PM	#2
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	I'll have to check the amount but I use to shoot cast in my 57's with a light load of Unique. Good and cheap for practice but dirty.

March 1, 2011, 05:20 PM	#3
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	The Hodgdon website has a few powders listed for your bullet weight. Hodgdon Load Data

March 1, 2011, 05:26 PM	#4
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I like using a 210 grain home cast LSWC with about 4.5 grains or so of Trail Boss. For the warmer loads I like Acurte Arms #9 it is way cleaner than 2400, with less muzzle flash. Lyman's Pistol and Revolver 3rd Edition has some loads listed for it. As well as the free download from aurate arms site. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

March 1, 2011, 05:44 PM	#6
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	im just looking for something to practice with and get use to a new gun with--if that makes sense, I am fairly new to pistol reloading-however i have loaded for rifles for a while now, just don't want to tear anything up. Thanks

March 1, 2011, 10:29 PM	#7
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	Here are a few moderate target loads easy on the hands you can try for a beginner,,, once you are comfortable with the lighter loads you can bump up to some of the heavier perfomers. Am supposing you mean .41 Mag and not a .41 special,,, Use Lg. Pistol ( not magnum ) primers and your 215 gr. LSWC 5.5 gr. of Titegroup 15.7 gr. IMR 4227 4.9 gr. of Clays ( not universal clays ) 6.5 gr. of W231 or HP-38 ( same powder )

March 2, 2011, 09:22 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,409	I use either WW 231 or Accurate Arms No. 7 for my .41 Mag with 215-gr. lead bullets. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 3, 2011, 02:13 AM	#11
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	When I shot IHMSA, I used a Mod. 57 S&W 8 3/8" 18.0gr. H110, Mag. primer, Lyman #419429 220grs. Cast of range scrap.

March 3, 2011, 07:25 PM	#12
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	Thanks for all the replies, Im gonna try to find some of these powders and see what i can come up with!!!! Thanks

March 4, 2011, 02:16 PM	#14
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	Just checked with the local gun shop and the only powder he had that has been menitoned here was Universal Clays--My ??? is this a suitable powder, and will it work for other .41 mag loads??? Thanks

March 4, 2011, 02:47 PM	#15
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Universal Clays will work great. (just make sure it really is Universal and not International or just plain Clays.) You'll be able to load anything from mild target loads to low-end "magnum" loads with it. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

March 4, 2011, 03:04 PM	#16
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	Would around 6 gr. be a good starting load or would that be too much??

March 4, 2011, 03:45 PM	#17
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	6 grains should be a great place to start; if anything it's a little light. Maximum is probably about 9.5 with Universal. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

March 4, 2011, 06:47 PM	#18
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	You don't specify just what gun you have, so forgive me if I don't expound at great length on this thread. I CAN say that the Forgotten Magnum is one of my all time favorites. I carried a four inch model 57 for over 10 years. It remains my favorite belt gun. RCBS 41-210-SWC 10.0 of IMR 4756, sized to .410", RP brass, CCI 300. Same bullet and diameter, 19.0 of 2400, same primer and brass Same bullet, same diameter, 21.0 of WW 296, CCI 350, WW brass Lyman 410610, Lyman gascheck, sized .410" FC brass, 20.5 of WW 296, CCI 350. Lyman 410459, sized .410", 19.0 of 2400, CCI 300, RP brass Lyman 41032 212 gr, sized .410", 19.0 of 2400, CCI 300, WW brass. Lyman 410610 as above, WW brass, 17.5 of 2400, CCI 300 If you are shooting a Ruger Blackhawk or Bisley, the RCBS bullet seated normally will be too long for the chamber throat unless Ruger has modified their reamers. You will only be able to load 3 or 4 chambers as the cylinder will bind because the cartridges are backed out against the recoil shield. I shot my Ruger Bisley at the rams at 200, using the 410610 and 296 load. I had to crank the rear sight waaaay up and hold over the back, but I could hit them. Hope this helps. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

March 4, 2011, 07:18 PM	#19
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	I went to my local gun store and found out he got some Unique, whitch i have heard that It can be used--anyone have any loads for a .41mag shooting 215gr, lead bullets??? using unique??? Thank you very much

March 4, 2011, 07:35 PM	#20
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Do you have a reloading manual? Serious question. (btw, there's not a nickel's worth of difference between Universal and Unique, although the load data is a little different) __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

March 4, 2011, 08:32 PM	#21
bekellog Member Join Date: March 1, 2011 Posts: 28	Yes i have 3 loading manuals, however none of them have any data on a .41 with cast bullets Ive been loading rifle for 6 yrs now, so this pistol reloading is new to me Thanks

March 5, 2011, 06:08 AM	#22
ipscchef Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: South Central Pa. Posts: 427	Welcome to TFL Bekellog, welcome to The Firing Line!! The Hodgdons manual has listings for the 215gr. cast LFP using Titegroup, Clays, and Trail Boss. As another poster said, get a Lyman book, and you should have more than enough info for your needs. The .41 Mag is one of my very favorite cartriges! I have an old three screw Ruger Blackhawk that I load for. It is just a great cartrige, IMO. What is your gun? I load mine with a Cast Performance 265gr. WLNFP, and it is pretty "warm", so I don't think it is what you are looking for. But if you are shooting a Ruger, and you want to step up in power, I can PM you my loads and results. I avoid posting loads publicly due to possible errors, etc. Again welcome to TFL!! You have come to the right place!! Bill "Willy" Henderson __________________ Don' keep shooting them until you think they are dead, Keep shooting them until they think they are dead.- Clint Smith Last edited by ipscchef; March 5, 2011 at 06:16 AM.

March 5, 2011, 07:17 AM	#23
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	I have a nickel Other than on-target performance, there is a vast difference between Unique (I've used Unique since 1976) and Universal. I use (mostly) Universal for its easy metering, its ballistic performance, and its cleanliness. Try shooting your 44 Redhawk at a 250-rd USPSA match with Unique; I dare you You'll look like Amos 'n Andy; your gun WILL foul unless you heavily hose it down between stages; your orange-ramp front blade will blacken during a 32-rd field course; that ONE rd that got loaded when the Unique bridged in the measure might lock your cylinder with its bullet stuck between forcing cone and barrel. I recommend Universal for good reasons..... __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"