Anyone load .41 Magnum?

kframe19 · April 13, 2000, 01:48 PM

I'm in the process of getting a Model 57 S&W 4" in .41 Mag.

Never loaded this caliber before.

Anyone have a favorite powder, or any tips on getting the most out of this round? --Mike

Nukem · April 13, 2000, 01:52 PM

Yes, but after trying all the bullets available at the time, I settled on the 170gr Sierra JHP for my Redhawk. It's the only thing it it likes. Powder is 2400.

Good whitetail load.

Robert the41MagFan · April 13, 2000, 02:49 PM

The latest rage to hit the hunting scene are heavy flat point lead bullets. JHP have a shady reputation for non expansion and breaking up during deep penetration. The theorier of using hard flat nose (LBT) design bullets are sound and effective. It is also one of the best ways to get the most from your 41 Magnum. The best bullet range in weight from 215 to 240 grain hard cast lead SWC using Accurate #9 for best results and 250 to 265 grain bullets, LBT design, using H110. These two powders may prove to be a bit slow in a 4" barrel and a powder like Herco maybe in order.

Robert

Mike / Tx · April 13, 2000, 05:34 PM

If you are getting this gun for hunting then I would suggest either a longer barrel or going with the lighter bullets.

The lighter bullets I would recommend would be the 170 gr. Sierra JHC,the Speer 180 gr. Uni-Cor HP.

If you are wanting to go with something heavier then I would stay with the 200 - 220 range. Several great bullets in this range.
The biggest problem you are going to run into is with the shorter barrel you will be getting a large muzzle flash when useing the slower powders and heavier bullets. Also the recoil will scooch on up there real quick.

Remington quit making what I had considered the best 170 gr. bullet made for this caliber. It was a JHP and it did a great job expanding and holding together. The Noslers I have shot are about the closest I have found to the same expansion but sometimes they shed the core. The Uni-Cor is really made for the 41AE but it works well enough and is a great bullet for hunting. It has the same type of jacket as their godl dot and will not seperate. It is a bit tough for lower velocity expansion however.

For cast bullets check out Oregon Trail. I have been shooting their 215 gr. in my Redhawk and have gotten great groups and high velocities with no sign of leading.

There are several good choices for this caliber but unfortunately they seem to be getting smaller and smaller. If you get this gun and are loading for it find a good load and stock up on the bullets and brass. It seems to drop another notch every year.

Good luck and enjoy.

WESHOOT2 · April 13, 2000, 06:01 PM

Vihta N110, H110, AA#9, 2400, or my favorite, W296. Bullets up to 265g...

Finish using the superior Redding Profile Crimp die.

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"

dundee · April 13, 2000, 10:28 PM

What everyone is describing are full house hunting loads. Most of my ammo is spent punching paper so I load down to mild enjoyable loads. I just shot a match using 215 gr lead bullets seated so the crimp is over the top of the shoulder of the bullet. Under the bullet- 3.6gr of titegroup powder. I came in 2nd in the centerfire revolver match behind a shooter with a smith mod 14 -38 special. A favorite medium load is 7.0 gr of red dot under the same 215 cast lead bullet. I just reread a Ken Waters article and he liked 8.0 gr of red dot powder with cast lead for a medium power load.
You don't have to load mag loads to kill cans and paper.
Enjoy

Fred J. Drumheller · April 14, 2000, 07:28 AM

225gr. H&G Keith Type SWC. 15gr AA5744

900FPS from my 657 Classic Hunter. Haven't chronod it in my Mountain Gun.

Yr. Obt. Svnt.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle

slabsides · April 15, 2000, 07:55 PM

I load for several .41's ranging from the 4-3/4" Ruger revolver to the 10" Contender and the Marlin 1894. I don't recommend specific powder charges in these forums, but have had good luck both with W296/H110 and with A2400, with the 210 grain Sierra jacketed and 215 grain Keith cast (deer and bear killed handily with this weight, you don't really need the superheavies.) Have also loaded light fun loads for the short guns with a 240 grain hard-cast (Lyman's .401 Rifle bullet, sized with a flat nose punch) over medium charges of Blue Dot...a nice small game and defense load for short barrels. Any good reloading manual will give you charge weight recommendations. --slabsides

------------------
If they take our guns, I intend to let my hair grow long and acquire the jawbone of an ass.

April 13, 2000, 01:48 PM	#1
kframe19 Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Posts: 61	I'm in the process of getting a Model 57 S&W 4" in .41 Mag. Never loaded this caliber before. Anyone have a favorite powder, or any tips on getting the most out of this round? --Mike

April 13, 2000, 01:52 PM	#2
Nukem Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 709	Yes, but after trying all the bullets available at the time, I settled on the 170gr Sierra JHP for my Redhawk. It's the only thing it it likes. Powder is 2400. Good whitetail load.

April 13, 2000, 02:49 PM	#3
Robert the41MagFan Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1999 Posts: 1,233	The latest rage to hit the hunting scene are heavy flat point lead bullets. JHP have a shady reputation for non expansion and breaking up during deep penetration. The theorier of using hard flat nose (LBT) design bullets are sound and effective. It is also one of the best ways to get the most from your 41 Magnum. The best bullet range in weight from 215 to 240 grain hard cast lead SWC using Accurate #9 for best results and 250 to 265 grain bullets, LBT design, using H110. These two powders may prove to be a bit slow in a 4" barrel and a powder like Herco maybe in order. Robert

April 13, 2000, 05:34 PM	#4
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	If you are getting this gun for hunting then I would suggest either a longer barrel or going with the lighter bullets. The lighter bullets I would recommend would be the 170 gr. Sierra JHC,the Speer 180 gr. Uni-Cor HP. If you are wanting to go with something heavier then I would stay with the 200 - 220 range. Several great bullets in this range. The biggest problem you are going to run into is with the shorter barrel you will be getting a large muzzle flash when useing the slower powders and heavier bullets. Also the recoil will scooch on up there real quick. Remington quit making what I had considered the best 170 gr. bullet made for this caliber. It was a JHP and it did a great job expanding and holding together. The Noslers I have shot are about the closest I have found to the same expansion but sometimes they shed the core. The Uni-Cor is really made for the 41AE but it works well enough and is a great bullet for hunting. It has the same type of jacket as their godl dot and will not seperate. It is a bit tough for lower velocity expansion however. For cast bullets check out Oregon Trail. I have been shooting their 215 gr. in my Redhawk and have gotten great groups and high velocities with no sign of leading. There are several good choices for this caliber but unfortunately they seem to be getting smaller and smaller. If you get this gun and are loading for it find a good load and stock up on the bullets and brass. It seems to drop another notch every year. Good luck and enjoy.

April 13, 2000, 06:01 PM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Vihta N110, H110, AA#9, 2400, or my favorite, W296. Bullets up to 265g... Finish using the superior Redding Profile Crimp die. ------------------ "All my ammo is factory ammo"

April 13, 2000, 10:28 PM	#6
dundee Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1998 Location: mytown,mi,usa Posts: 162	What everyone is describing are full house hunting loads. Most of my ammo is spent punching paper so I load down to mild enjoyable loads. I just shot a match using 215 gr lead bullets seated so the crimp is over the top of the shoulder of the bullet. Under the bullet- 3.6gr of titegroup powder. I came in 2nd in the centerfire revolver match behind a shooter with a smith mod 14 -38 special. A favorite medium load is 7.0 gr of red dot under the same 215 cast lead bullet. I just reread a Ken Waters article and he liked 8.0 gr of red dot powder with cast lead for a medium power load. You don't have to load mag loads to kill cans and paper. Enjoy

April 14, 2000, 07:28 AM	#7
Fred J. Drumheller Retired Screen Name Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 90	225gr. H&G Keith Type SWC. 15gr AA5744 900FPS from my 657 Classic Hunter. Haven't chronod it in my Mountain Gun. Yr. Obt. Svnt. ------------------ Fred J. Drumheller NRA Life NRA Golden Eagle

April 15, 2000, 07:55 PM	#8
slabsides Member In Memoriam Join Date: May 27, 1999 Location: Maine Posts: 614	I load for several .41's ranging from the 4-3/4" Ruger revolver to the 10" Contender and the Marlin 1894. I don't recommend specific powder charges in these forums, but have had good luck both with W296/H110 and with A2400, with the 210 grain Sierra jacketed and 215 grain Keith cast (deer and bear killed handily with this weight, you don't really need the superheavies.) Have also loaded light fun loads for the short guns with a 240 grain hard-cast (Lyman's .401 Rifle bullet, sized with a flat nose punch) over medium charges of Blue Dot...a nice small game and defense load for short barrels. Any good reloading manual will give you charge weight recommendations. --slabsides ------------------ If they take our guns, I intend to let my hair grow long and acquire the jawbone of an ass.