I finally took my new M57 out to a friends farm and sent some rounds down range. I had speer GD and winchester silver tip with me since I haven't rounded up dies etc for it yet. The winchester rounds were noticeably harder shooting and ejecting then the speer rounds were. When I got them out I noticed one pierced primer, and all 6 looked flattened and showed pressure signs. The cases had some bluging. Do winchester magnum rounds run hot normally? Should I call winchester and let them know about this? I am pretty sure its not the gun since I fired a few cylinder fulls worth of gold dots with no problems, so I don't think it's the gun. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Winchesters Silver Tips are actually a moderate load. I don't know how they compare to Speers Gold Dot loading, but they shouldn't be showing any pressure signs.

If you aren't sure how a .41 magnum is supposed to feel, find some factory hunting ammo from Winchester or Remington and compare how the STs felt to them. If they are less abusive than the Silver Tips, I'd give them a call.

Well, neither round shot any differently, and they felt about like any bigger bore magnum round: Stiff/brisk recoil, but not unbearable by any means. It was just after I ejected the rounds and examined the cases like I always do that I noticed the pressure signs, up to and including a pierced primer.

Can you post pictures of the cases and primers?

I can later in the day, but I have to find a camera, my blackberry just won't cut it.

I wonder if their primers and brass might be to blame more than the pressure. This is why I don't rely on them for signs of over pressure. You might give them a call or an e-mail with your concerns and see what they have to say.

There is always the possibility that it is a pressure problem, which may not really show up by comparing recoil or velocity.

Speer 210 Gold Dot HPs run 1180 fps from a 4" M57. The same day 175 Winchester STs ran 1225...neither had any ejection problems from my guns.

I was very surprised that the GDs ran so low. CorBon, Remington and Federal 210s all run from 1300-1350 in the same gun. The 1225 from the STs was not unexpected as they are a low pressure defensive round as are the 170 CorBon that clock 1275. STs run 1300 from a 6" 57.

If the Winchesters are sticking and piercing primers Winchester would probably appreciate a call. Have the box with the lot number for them if you still have it...

Bob