41 Mag Load Data...

[5hundo]

I had been loading Sierra 210 Grain JHPs but I ran out, so I bought some 210gr cast bullets from "Powder Horn Arms" in Tennessee. The bullets are cast with two lands and have one grove for lube in between the two lands. They look like they'll do the job, but surprisingly, I don't have any load data for Lead cast bullets at 210 grains. (I forgot to check before I bid on the bullets )

I have loads for 210 grain jacketed bullets and 220gr cast bullets but nothing for 210 Grain cast bullets in either of my reloading manuals... (Lyman 49th and Lee Modern Reloading)

Anyone got something in their books for 210gr SWC, cast lead bullet? I have Alliant "Unique" and Winchester "W231" powder...

[f4tweet]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=210&shellid=31&bulletid=44

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/Acc%20Guide%20v3.3%20version.pdf

I like Accurate #7 and #9 for 41 Mag. They are slower than 231 and fill the cases more.

[f4tweet]

Compromises sometimes are the best of both worlds but quite often they don't work out that way. The .41 Remington Magnum never really caught on with America's shooters. Right now it sits comfortably in 50th position on the reloading die sales list, behind such numbers as the .30 Carbine and the .32 S&W Long.

That's really a shame because the .41 Magnum is really a very good cartridge. Some of the factory 250- grain bullet loadings are able clock in at 1,250 fps. That puts the .41's power factor (312,500) right in there with the .30-30 and makes it an excellent choice for a hunting pistol.

The .41 Magnum would also make an excellent cartridge for a lever action carbine. Marlin had a Model 1894S that was available in .41 Magnum but that was discontinued in 1991. However, in 2003 Marlin introduced a Model 1894FG that is chambered for .41 Mag.

From experience with .357. and .44 Magnum long guns, I know it would be a pleasure to shoot and a good brush gun with room in the magazine tube for about 10 rounds. I think the muzzle velocities will be in the 2,000 fps range.

REMINGTON .41 MAGNUM LOAD DATA
Bullet Bullet Weight (gr.) Powder Primer Case Starting Load (grs.) Maximum Load (grs.) Max. Muzzle Velocity (fps)
Sierra JHC 170 Alliant Blue Dot Federal 150 Federal 12.0 14.6 1,600
Sierra JHC 170 Accurate No.9 Winchester Large Pistol PMC 17.0 19.6 1,625
Speer JHP 200 Ramshot Enforcer CCI-300 Winchester 17.0 19.2 1,550
Speer JHP 200 Hodgdon H-110 Federal 155 Remington 19.0 22.0 1,530
Hornady XTP JHP 210 Winchester 296 CCI-300 Federal 16.0 18.0 1,500
Hornady XTP JHP 210 IMR 4227 Federal 150 Winchester 15,5 17.6 1,400
Nosler JHP 210 Alliant 2400 Remington 2.5 Remington 14.5 16.7 1,470
Nosler JHP 210 Ramshot Enforcer Winchester Large Pistol PMC 15.0 17.0 1,460
Sierra JHC 210 Accurate No. 7 CCI-300 Winchester 13.0 15.0 1,400
Sierra JHC 210 Vihta Vuori N110 Federal 150 Federal 14.0 16.0 1,430
Speer JHP 220 Vihta Vuori N110 Winchester Large Pistol Remington 14.0 16.0 1,370
Speer JHP 220 Hodgdon H110 Remington 2.5 PMC 16.0 19.0 1,465
Abbreviations: JHP, jacketed hollowpoint; SWC, semi-wadcutter; JHC, jacketed hollow cavity.

While the component choices aren't overwhelming, the reloader can easily get everything he needs. Most of the bullet makers have at least a few bullets in this caliber. Primers are the large pistol variety. Six different companies are loading factory ammo for the .41 Magnum at this time, so cases are also in good supply.

Our dies were an old RCBS set that I've had since the cartridge was first introduced. Dies have seen minor improvements come along over the years, but the old ones still work fine as long as you are not loading thousands of rounds per year.

The straight case requires a three die set. First the case gets sized down. If you are loading on a Dillon Progressive press the sizing and depriming are combined into one die. Most dies for single-stage presses combine the deprime step with the step that reopens the case to hold the bullet and puts a slight flare on to make starting the bullet easier.

I like to carefully set the flare to just barely be enough to allow the bullet to start cleanly. Excess flaring just leads to mouth splits and short case life.

Bullet seating is unremarkable except that for cartridges such as the .41 Magnum you want to be sure to get a very good crimp. It can ruin a hunting day to have a bullet back out of the case and jam your gun's cylinder so it won't turn. Most of the .41-caliber bullets have crimp grooves.

Suitable powders for the .41 Magnum run from the slowest powders in the pistol range to some of the fastest in the rifle list. Good results are easy to obtain. Accuracy is not a problem either. Today's bullets are so much better than they were 50 to 60 years ago that what was once considered wonderful accuracy is now pretty ho-hum. Most of our loads showed group sizes that, while perhaps not what bullseye (paper) shooters have come to expect, were far better than are needed for hunting.

I find that while I have trouble relaxing while shooting a .44 Magnum I'm completely comfortable with the .41. In reality it isn't that much milder, but it just seems to be below the "beast" threshold.

[Waldo]

I've been using 8 grains of Unique with a 210 Sierra JHP...a little expensive for a target load, but the recoil is light and the accuracy is good out of an old Model 57.

[5hundo]

The .41 Magnum would also make an excellent cartridge for a lever action carbine. Marlin had a Model 1894S that was available in .41 Magnum but that was discontinued in 1991. However, in 2003 Marlin introduced a Model 1894FG that is chambered for .41 Mag.

Yeah, that's primarily what I'm loading for. I've got an 1894 SS41LTD...

...and the Blackhawk.

[5hundo]

I was looking through my "Modern Reloading" book and I can't figure something out: I usually don't like to load at the maximum "do not exceed" grains because I think it's a little too risky, IMO. I like having a little "Lee-way" in my loads to compensate for possible errors.

However, there is a .41 Mag load in my "Modern Reloading" book that says the suggested starting grains of Win 231, with a 210gr Lead bullet is 7.4gr. What's interesting is the "never exceed" grains is also 7.4gr or Win 231...

This is a first to me and I normally use my lyman manual (but the 49th edition is pretty sparce on .41 Mag loads), so I've never seen this before. Can someone smarter than me explain this information?

[f4tweet]

I would not recommend 231 for 41 Mag. It has a very fast burn rate, and the chance of a double charge is high. I would think a slower powder like AA 7 or AA 9 would be more suitable. A double charge in 41 or 44 is a real possibility. Don't ask me how I know.

[5hundo]

I would not recommend 231 for 41 Mag. It has a very fast burn rate, and the chance of a double charge is high. I would think a slower powder like AA 7 or AA 9 would be more suitable. A double charge in 41 or 44 is a real possibility. Don't ask me how I know.

Sound advice...

...and I think I'm going to take it.

What about Unique? (I'd like to keep from buying another powder, if possible)

Perhaps 9 grains of Unique for a 210gr, lead-cast SWC?

There's a load in my manual for Unique with a jacketed 210 grain bullet (Suggested staring 9.0gr., never exceed 10.1gr) with Unique but nothing for a lead bullet...

[f4tweet]

I like the Lee Second Edition Reloading manual. It came out last year, and has numerous selections of powder for each bullet weight. A good investment at $20. Recipes for jacketed should be downgraded by 10% for lead.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=210&shellid=31&bulletid=44

[scr83jp]

I purchased a 4 5/8" barreled 41mag Ruger BlackHawk for hunting along with corbon 265gr cast performance ammo 1400fps & 250gr CP ammo @ 1325fps.I sold the revolver along with brass,bullets,dies & ammo to a friend of ours. I tried it out just prior to surgery for a torn rotator cuff & a 50% tear in my right bicep,that experience ended my desire to fire that caliber ever again.

[scr83jp]

I had been loading Sierra 210 Grain JHPs but I ran out, so I bought some 210gr cast bullets from "Powder Horn Arms" in Tennessee. The bullets are cast with two lands and have one grove for lube in between the two lands. They look like they'll do the job, but surprisingly, I don't have any load data for Lead cast bullets at 210 grains. (I forgot to check before I bid on the bullets )

I have loads for 210 grain jacketed bullets and 220gr cast bullets but nothing for 210 Grain cast bullets in either of my reloading manuals... (Lyman 49th and Lee Modern Reloading)

Anyone got something in their books for 210gr SWC, cast lead bullet? I have Alliant "Unique" and Winchester "W231" powder...

Cast Performance published reloading data for their 250gr,255gr & 265gr heat treated hard cast meplat bullets as these were the only ones I was interested in for reloading and carrying in Montana on fishing trips.My sil located employment as a geologist in san berdo county changing my plans and need for a suitable bear stopping handgun.I gave all of my reloading data for the 41mag to the new owner of the 41mag.check with www.buffalobore.com & www.grizzlycartridge.com castperformance has load data.go to www.hodgdon.com for reloading data

[5hundo]

I loaded up some trial loads of some different volumes. My Dad has Lyman's 47th edition, which said that I could load down to 7 grains of unique, but I didn't go that low. I did 8, 8.5, and 9...

We'll see how they do through the Marlin Carbine...

[z-bob]

So did anybody come up with a good "magnum" load using cast bullets? I just inherited a .41 Ruger Blackhawk from my FIL (he died 5 years ago.) The gun is pretty scratched up and the bluing is a mess, but that's because this is the gun he actually carried around in his truck all the time. I'm honored to get it, even though it's probably not worth anything.

In .357 Magnum and .45 Colt, I really like using max loads of Herco powder, and I've got 8 pounds of it. Or I might start with Power Pistol cuz I have a pound of that and it should give higher velocity at the same pressure as Herco, using just a little more powder.

Not sure if I'll get a bullet mold and cast my own right away, or start with commercial cast bullets. First I gotta get some brass, and that's pretty hard to find.

[f4tweet]

Starline is good brass. I use Bear Creek 210 gr. moly bullets, 7.3 gr. of Titegroup max. I use 6.9 for plinking. I think this recipe is around 1200 fps, which is where you should be with lead or moly. My $.02.