Load suggestions S&W .41 mag

frank4570 · April 19, 2006, 12:28 AM

I have a .41 I am trying to make some lighter loads for my daughter to practice with. The guy at the gun store suggested I try Lil gun, so I got some. But the load data only suggests 1 load,20.5 grains. How low can I comfortable go without getting dangerous. Is there any danger of light loads other than maybe getting a bullet stuck in the barrel? Thanks.

English Bob · April 19, 2006, 03:03 AM

Frank, I think you should save the Lil'gun for heavy loads. The Hodgdon manual seems to imply that this is what Lil'gun is intended for.

I found two loads using 20.5 grains of LG:
210 grain XTP at 1505 fps.
220 grain Speer JSP at 1563 fps.

They both sound like bruisers (for a newbie).

Try IMR Trailboss:
215 grain lead flat point, 4.5-6.5 grains TB for 752-910 fps.

Or Titegroup:
215 grain lead flatpoint, 4.5-5.5 grains TG for 882-1004 fps.

For jacketed try Unique:
210 grain XTP, 9.0 grains Unique for 1021 fps.

All three use Winchester LP primers and are out of manuals I have. I think that any of these three would be better for your daughter than the Lil'gun loads.

Hope this helps.

frank4570 · April 19, 2006, 10:20 AM

Thanks Bob!

Leftoverdj · April 19, 2006, 11:52 AM

The time proven .41 Mag service load is 7.5-8.0 grains of Unique under a good 210-215 LSWC. This is a mid-level load and gives 950-1000 fps with splendid accuracy. It's nowhere near max pressures.

I have put a fair amount of effort into finding a lighter load that gives target accuracy without much success.

**Mike Irwin** · April 19, 2006, 02:49 PM

For just light popper loads with lead bullets, I generally load between 6.5 and 7 grains of WW 231 behind a 210-gr. LSWC bullet.

Accuracy isn't the best, though, something others have also mentioned in the past, as well. It seems that if you download the .41 below about 900-1000 fps, accuracy starts to tail off dramatically.

maxwayne · April 19, 2006, 07:28 PM

My favorite plinker is 7.0 of Unique and a cast swc. Very light and accurate.

redhawk41 · April 19, 2006, 10:16 PM

I've had mild success with 231. Not a spectacular target load by any means but still a shooter. I like it because I also use the powder in my .45 ACP.

I plan to pick up some Unique next time I go on a powder run.

greenmtnguy · April 19, 2006, 11:47 PM

If you want some VERY mild loads - especially with cast bullets, I'd also recommend trying the TrailBoss stuff out:

http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgu...ss-feb2005.php

I use it for some very light plinkin loads in my 45-70 Marlin lever gun, and recoil is almost nonexistent in the rifle, report is about the same as a normal 45 ACP.

WESHOOT2 · April 20, 2006, 06:35 AM

Titegroup, not Trail Boss (not yet, anyweays. No dis to the Aussies

).

Universal Clays, not Unique (because it really does meter better and burn cleaner).

W231; okay.

Suggest working with both regular AND magnum primers.
And crimp.

(I looked; I got no 'slow' 41 Mag....)

April 19, 2006, 12:28 AM	#1
frank4570 Member Join Date: October 3, 2002 Posts: 78	Load suggestions S&W .41 mag I have a .41 I am trying to make some lighter loads for my daughter to practice with. The guy at the gun store suggested I try Lil gun, so I got some. But the load data only suggests 1 load,20.5 grains. How low can I comfortable go without getting dangerous. Is there any danger of light loads other than maybe getting a bullet stuck in the barrel? Thanks.

April 19, 2006, 02:49 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	For just light popper loads with lead bullets, I generally load between 6.5 and 7 grains of WW 231 behind a 210-gr. LSWC bullet. Accuracy isn't the best, though, something others have also mentioned in the past, as well. It seems that if you download the .41 below about 900-1000 fps, accuracy starts to tail off dramatically. __________________ "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.

April 19, 2006, 10:16 PM	#7
redhawk41 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Location: Red Desert Posts: 819	I've had mild success with 231. Not a spectacular target load by any means but still a shooter. I like it because I also use the powder in my .45 ACP. I plan to pick up some Unique next time I go on a powder run. __________________ {empty thought cloud}

April 20, 2006, 06:35 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	or Titegroup Titegroup, not Trail Boss (not yet, anyweays. No dis to the Aussies ). Universal Clays, not Unique (because it really does meter better and burn cleaner). W231; okay. Suggest working with both regular AND magnum primers. And crimp. (I looked; I got no 'slow' 41 Mag....)

April 19, 2006, 03:03 AM	#2
English Bob Junior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 11	Frank, I think you should save the Lil'gun for heavy loads. The Hodgdon manual seems to imply that this is what Lil'gun is intended for. I found two loads using 20.5 grains of LG: 210 grain XTP at 1505 fps. 220 grain Speer JSP at 1563 fps. They both sound like bruisers (for a newbie). Try IMR Trailboss: 215 grain lead flat point, 4.5-6.5 grains TB for 752-910 fps. Or Titegroup: 215 grain lead flatpoint, 4.5-5.5 grains TG for 882-1004 fps. For jacketed try Unique: 210 grain XTP, 9.0 grains Unique for 1021 fps. All three use Winchester LP primers and are out of manuals I have. I think that any of these three would be better for your daughter than the Lil'gun loads. Hope this helps.

April 19, 2006, 10:20 AM	#3
frank4570 Member Join Date: October 3, 2002 Posts: 78	Thanks Bob!

April 19, 2006, 11:52 AM	#4
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	The time proven .41 Mag service load is 7.5-8.0 grains of Unique under a good 210-215 LSWC. This is a mid-level load and gives 950-1000 fps with splendid accuracy. It's nowhere near max pressures. I have put a fair amount of effort into finding a lighter load that gives target accuracy without much success.

April 19, 2006, 07:28 PM	#6
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	My favorite plinker is 7.0 of Unique and a cast swc. Very light and accurate.

April 19, 2006, 11:47 PM	#8
greenmtnguy Member Join Date: October 25, 2004 Posts: 37	If you want some VERY mild loads - especially with cast bullets, I'd also recommend trying the TrailBoss stuff out: http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgu...ss-feb2005.php I use it for some very light plinkin loads in my 45-70 Marlin lever gun, and recoil is almost nonexistent in the rifle, report is about the same as a normal 45 ACP.