New load suggestions for .41 mag 215 swc 57-5

[6pack]

Title says it all.

I'm looking for some good loads to try for my .41 mag Mountain Gun.

I just ordered 1,000 Laser-Cast 215 SWC this afternoon.

Need to get hold of some brass, primers and powder quick.


I think I've got some H110 around here somewhere but I can use that in my .44 mag loads.


Thanks for your suggestions.

[max]

7.0 of Unique.

[Erich]

6.5 grains of Trail Boss and a standard primer under a 215-grain LSWC is mighty fun to shoot; velocities around 860 fps with a SD of 15 or so.

I have been very pleased with 215-gr LSWCs from Tennessee Valley Bullets over a large pistol primer and 7.5 grains of SR 7625, which gives me 1015 fps from my 4" no-dash 57 with single-digit deviations. This replaced the 7.0 gr Unique load I'd been using for similar duty - the Unique load was slower.

9.2 grains of Unique and a magnum primer was my old standby loading with this bullet. Mid-1100-fps range.

The max loading for 2400 and this bullet gave velocities in the 1240 fps range with big spreads despite a magnum primer.

I've happily run the same bullet from over Blue Dot (1260 fps range) and Lil' Gun (1340 fps, moderately big spreads), but they're controversial right now so I won't set out load data.

[Model 15-4ever]

Nothing controversial about Lil'Gun at all, except in the minds of pot stirrers (not referring to you Erich!). Hodgdon lists plenty of loads with no special restrictions.

Let me recommend 18.0 grain of Lil'Gun with a hard cast 215 grain bullet for 1365 fps out of my 7.5" Blackhawk Hunter .41 Magnum. Pressure will be quite mild for this cartridge at ~24,000 CUP.

Another nice plinky load is 7.0 grains of IMR 700-X for 1109 fps out of my 6.5" Blackhawk. This is a full pressure loading that is just under the IMR data maximum, so work up to it. But with the 215 hard cast SWC bullet, it shoots under 1 inch at 25 yards from a lazy rest.

[6pack]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

I'm going to pick up some Unique and 2400 soon.

[Kaumheimer]

I second 2400. I've used 15-15.5 gr of 2400 with this exact bullet in my 6" 57 with excellent results. Recoil is very manageable and accuracy is dead on. I've knocked down 12" targets at the Silhouette range at 100 yd+ with this load and bullet.

[Steve C]

Here are 2 loads using 215gr LSWC bullets that I've used for a while and shot over my chrono with my 4" M657 Mountain Pistol.

The 7.0gr load of W231 is similar to the old Remington Police load. The 9.5grs of Unique load is a magnum level load with a little more oomph but not at the top end.

[Jellybean]

I use 8.0 grains of Unique because it is much more accurate in my S&Ws than 7.0 grs. This is my SD/combat/tactikule/whatever/yadayada load.

For powder puff loads I use 4.0 gr. of Bullseye.

I used to use 13 gr. of Blue Dot for requalifications when I carried a 657 on duty, but until I find out why Alliant said don't use it for .41 magnum, I've put it on hold.

I don't consider myself a pot stirrer, although some might claim I'm a food processor, but there are some reports floating around about Lil' Gun burning too hot and damaging barrels. Until there is some concret evidence and a final ruling on wether these claims are true or not, I can live without it.

[Bugs100]

I've been using 7.0grs of Unique for years and like it.

But I would really like to find a recipe for Red Dot.

[Mule88]

Ive used 7 gns of Unique...good load, but try 7 gns of Universal Clays, It burns cleaner and is more accurate for me.

[Doc Mark]

Morning, All,

It's great to see so many other folks that enjoy the wonderful .41 Magnum!! It's, truly, my most favorite handgun caliber, and has been for many years!! With the right loads, and a good gun, I think this caliber can do pretty much anything that needs to be done with a handgun.... or, at least most of what I would be doing with one, anyway! Thanks for sharing some of your favorite loads. I'll have to check into a few of those, as all of them sound interesting! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[borderpatrol]

I use 7.2 grains of WW-231 with 215 grain SWC's or 15.5 to 16.0 grains of IMR-4227.

Both loads run from 900 to 970 fps from my various .41 Mags. I have a new M-57 Classic, a 1979 M-57 that looks like new and Ruger New Model Blackhawk.

Both S&W's sport 4" barrels the Ruger has a 4 5/8".

You can shoot these loads all day long and not develop a flinch. Easy on the guns too. I conducted alot of testing before settling on these loads. They shoot very well for me.

Even though these are close to as low as you can go, they are still a powerful self defense load that almost anyone can learn to shoot well.

[BruceM]

If you've already got H110 and are looking for .41 Magnum loads instead of loads which can be fired in a .41 Magnum revolver, try 21.5 grains of H110 with a magnum primer, tight bullet pull and heavy roll crimp. Powerful and accurate .41 magnum load for use with high quality cast bullets of correct size and well lubed. I use Lyman #410459 personally.



Bruce

[6pack]

Thank you guys. Keep the suggestions coming.


My Oregon Trail bullets arrived on Friday....really fast service from them.

I've got to get my reloading area set up soon. I need to work up some loads and get this gun shooting.

[nevadajohn]

I use 10 grains of Blue dot with the 215 grain bullet.It's a medium load,and works well with my 415 Taurus.

[arminius]

[QUOTE=Jellybean;135530823]I use 8.0 grains of Unique because it is much more accurate in my S&Ws than 7.0 grs. This is my SD/combat/tactikule/whatever/yadayada load.

I use a load of 8 grains of Unique behind a 210 grain SWC and can vouch that it works exceedingly well in my Blackhawk and a buddy's 657. Very pleasant and enough energy to get the job done.

[kennyb]

i have tried many load combinations for the 41 mag.lately i been using unique..7.0,8.0,&10.0 all work well depending on application

[Combat_Diver]

My usual load is 8 grs of Unique, WLP and a 215 LSWC out of my old M58. For my 14" Contender or 20" Marlin 1894S I'll use H110, 2400 or AA#9. Don't remember the charge amounts as I do not have excess to my log books. Been reloading the .41 Mag since my uncle taught how to reload for his M57 back in 84'.

CD

[ISOM]

From a 40 year reloader...
If you can not find reloading information on your 215 cast bullet, go to the 220 grain information.

[MKT]

I shared this laod and target last year IIRC, 4.9 gr of Clays (not Universal Clays, just Clays), pushing a home cast 215 gr SWC . 25 yards off hand from my Model 57. Very pleasant to shoot.

[38-44HD45]

I worked up a load with Laser Cast 215s for my Model 58 a year or so ago, running them at about 975 fps. I used SR-4756, but I don't recall how much. I'm thinking I settled on about 9 grains, but it might have been more. I do recall that it was a little dirty and smokey until I got up into the 900fps+ range. I'll try to remember to look at one of my labels this evening and post back. Nice load; very accurate, moderate recoil, clean.

[MKT]

I worked up that same load in 4756, settled on 9.0. Shot almost as good as the Clays load. Group was slightly larger, most likely to being the end of a day shooting the .41 mag.

[beekay]

Thanks for all the posts. I'm following this with keen interest as I just bought a 57-5.

[beekay]

The Alliant Blue Dot issue has apparently been around for a while, but I hadn't heard about it til recently because I'd been away from reloading for a few years.
Being a .41 mag reloader, naturally I took interest and the more I thought about it the more puzzling it seemed.
In a search for more info, I ran across this discussion where the matter is addressed rationally.
As far as I'm concerned, the verdict is in.
To anyone else who's been scratching his head over this, I have a feeling you'll find this interesting... Draw your own conclusions.

Handloads.Com Forum: ATK /Alliant Blue Dot warning