.41 Magnum Blue Dot Recipies

[TAKJR]

Guys:

I am looking for Blue-Dot-specific magnum loads for the .41 magnum that you have used and are considered your favorites.

I use a 58-1 in jacket weather and I recently qualified with 240 Supreme Platinum which is advertised @ 1250. I don't have to use a 240 for practice. I can go with the 210 but it must be a magnum charge. I don't want to blow off the top strap, so nuclear-tipped loads I don't need. I just want magnum-like loads that I can make, using Blue Dot that I use for the 10mm. Flame/noise doesn't bother me.

As to why I carry a .41.......why not?

Thank you ahead of time.

TAKJR

[bogman]

Alliant powder co. has a warning, not to use Blue Dot in any .41magnum loads.

[TAKJR]

I thank you for the warning. Is there any other powder you would suggest? I just didn't want to spend money on a bunch of different powders if I didn't have to.

Thank you again.

TAKJR

[bogman]

Alliant 2400, or Unique, I use them both in .38, .357 & .45acp, & .44mag., also .40S&W. they are accurate & reliable !!!

[336A]

+1 to what bogman said. With 8.0gr - 8.5gr of Unique and a 210gr - 215gr SWC you will have a controlable yet hard hitting load. For full on magnum velocities 2400 is a great choice, AA#9 seems to be quite popular as well. Allegedly it is a flash supressed powder I can't say one way or the other as I've never used it.

I got lucky and found two loads that work very well for me. The first being 8.5gr of Unique and a 215gr SC, and a magnum load with 18.5gr of 2400 with a 220gr H&G #258 Keith bullet. These two loads hit to the same POI for me so that is what I'm sticking with, no fuss no muss.

[TAKJR]

Thank you very much.

TAKJR

[SuperMan]

12-13 grains of SR4756 has been a favorite of mine for 25 years. Runs a 210 1250+- from a 4" gun and shoots spot on with M58 sights.

Was wondering why you choose the 240 PT vs. the 210 Speer Deep Curl (old Gold Dot). Velocity out of a 4" gun runs 1180 and the bullet expands nicely...

Back in the 1980s I carried several different 57s and 58s when I was a LEO....thanks for carrying on the tradition.

Bob

[TAKJR]

Because we have to qualify with factory ammunition each year, I tend to want to try new things. I was using the Gold Dot, but with a little more bullet weight and the fact that the bullets are silver-colored, they stand out more when in the cylinder of the blued 58-1. Some people poo-poo the 58-1 because of the lock, but I have not had any problems with it. I also think (from a side-by-side comparison) that the new 58 Classic guns are slightly "beefier" than the standard 58. Not by much, but I can tell.

As to the use of the .41 magnum for police use, I can only use the caliber off duty. When its jacket weather in Illinois (September through now) I feel comfortable with this caliber because I believe in marksmanship over firepower and hopefully, one (or perhaps two) shots will (as Larry The Cable Guy says)...get-r-done.

I am a handgun collector (not as in-depth as some on the forum) and I like when others on the range say: "What the f--k is that?" One guy thought my gun was a .38 (model 10) until I showed him the bullets. I shot next to a detective who was qualifying with a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380 and his "pips" to my "booms" was funny.

I always wondered why he wants me to go with him to Chicago when checking on a subject with an active warrant?

Back in the day (pre-auto craze), I knew a lot of Chicago Police officers that used the .41 or .44 for backup. A few years ago, I even saw one gang crimes detective carry (in a shoulder holster) a nickel 25-5 with an 8.3/8 barrel.

He once told me a gang banger wanted for homicide escaped out of a window of his house and was on the roof. His partner pointed an auto at the suspect, who then ran to the other side of the roof. He, then pointed the 25-5 at the suspect and the suspect climbed down without incident. Is this a fabricated story by him? I kinda "doub't" that.

Anyway, revolvers are not dead and I hope I never use mine but if I do, I want the subject down, period. Hence...the .41.

My nickname from the guys at work is...."bullets!"

Thanks for your police service too Bob, and for the reloading recipies from you and others!

TAKJR

[Beaver]

I just finished loading 300, 41 mag using 18 gr. 2400, CCI 300, large pistol primers, 220 gr. mt. baldy swc. Pretty perky, but not maximum.

[tlen]

Try the older manuals:
Alliant Manuals

[GregG]

My best load for my 58 is with AA9.

Hornady 210 gr. XTP, CCI 350 primer, 16 grs. of AA9.

It groups slightly over 2" at 25 yards, has low flash, and the cases drop easy.

I worked up a load with 2400. It was almost as accurate, but had a lot of flash.

[TANKER]

I used a 240 cast bullet crimped in the first lube groove with a charge of Bluedot many years ago. It was a silhouette load and very potent. I could look the load up if your interested. Otherwise I would recommend H-110 as the lightest recoiling magnum bang for the buck.

[TAKJR]

Thanks to all for the replies. I was using Blue Dot in 10mm and I just thought a like-loading would be cool.

Thanks again!

TAKJR

[GregG]

I have a fresh pound of it and plan to work up a load in .41. I'll let you know how it goes, and you do the same.

[Warren Sear]

There have been some disasters with Blue Dot (I know first hand), and if the manufacturer warns against using their own product in a given application I think it is prudent to follow that warning.

[GregG]

Out of curiosity what kind of problems did you see?

[Shadow1006]

Originally Posted by Warren Sear

There have been some disasters with Blue Dot (I know first hand), and if the manufacturer warns against using their own product in a given application I think it is prudent to follow that warning.

Yes I'd be interested to know also...
BTW, I have shot many 125 gr 357" with Blue Dot, ton's of 10mm, 40S&W and 44 Magnums, more recently 357Sig and 9x25 Dillon also with Blue Dot, I just do see why the 41 mag would be so different to not be able to use Blue Dot for the cartridge!

If I had a 41 Magnum I wouldn't be afraid to work with Blue Dot...

[Roadranger]

I just quailfied with my 4" M657 using 170 Sierra's over 1X gr. BlueDot as I wanted to do it old school. I use the same load with 225 Keith/Lyman #410459 cast bullets. The Sierra's have a lot less recoil, but retain the magnum punch, much more than a 357. I've been using BlueDot for the last 40 years to load 41's. It's the go to powder in the 10mm and does well in the 357 SIG. Most of the older manuals have data for it. Bob!

[TAKJR]

I found this on their web-site:

During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be used in the following applications:

•Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).
•Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).
Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury.

I will hold-off on Blue Dot, using it for 10mm only.

Thanks again!

TAKJR

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by GregG

Out of curiosity what kind of problems did you see?

It was the late 1970's and I had just bought a brand new Model 19-4 with 6" barrel, and then got reloading components. I was brand new to reloading too, but on the advice of my cousin I bought a pound of Blue Dot and 500 Sierra 125 grain bullets (DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!!). My cousin liked that powder because it took less powder to get magnum velocity. Not knowing any better, I used a load listed in the 1970-something Speer book (that same book is now considered to have loads being way too hot).

I ended up with a split forcing cone and bulged cylinders. S&W repaired it under warranty, but the fault was not with the gun.

Since then I have had an understandable aversion to Blue Dot being used in any magnum cartridge and try to convince people to avoid that powder in that application. There are better powders; specifically 2400. Also since then, Alliant has published the warnings shown in the post above.

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by Shadow1006

...If I had a 41 Magnum I wouldn't be afraid to work with Blue Dot...

Why not?

With due respect, what do you know that the manufacturer of the powder does not?

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by Roadranger

... I've been using BlueDot for the last 40 years to load 41's. It's the go to powder in the 10mm and does well in the 357 SIG. Most of the older manuals have data for it. Bob!

Have you ever wondered why the newer manuals don't list it anymore?

[dirty gary]

210 gr Hornady XTP, 21.6 gr H110, 1570 out of my 8 3/8 57. Cases are a little sooty, but the gun and I like it fine. Wild hogs, not so much

[GF1]

I've been big on 2400 for many years in the .41 in S&W revolvers, love it in my trio of M57s. I load 17.5 gr w/ 210 gr jacketed bullets; 17 gr w/ 215 hard cast SWCs, standard primers, Starline brass, firm roll crimp. These shoot to the same POI at 50 yards, BTW.

[harley46580]

Ummm I believe the newest Hornady manual does have blue dot loadings for 41, can someone confirm?

[Damn Yankee]

Give 800X a try.

[kennyb]

i load a lot of 41 mag.using unique

[Roadranger]

I did not recommend using BlueDot in the 41 Magnum, but simply stated that I have had good success with it. That's why I X'ed out the load data. I also use H110/WW296, Unique, AA5, AA9, and TrailBoss. I received an e-mail from Allient through on of my distributors when they made that announcement a few years back. All of my supply of BlueDot precedes that notice. I've been reloading since 1967 and have learned a few lessons. A double charge of AA 5 in a M57 will require a new cylinder. A stuck bullet in a T/C Contender barrel near the muzzle and firing another round will need a new barrel. One could not go wrong with any of several powders in the 41 Magnum. All of the powder companies have data on the Internet. Bob!!

[M29since14]

I do not load .41s often. I had a fair supply of them loaded with Blue Dot - assembled in the very late '90s. I had used all but less than a box before the warning reached me. No problems, or even a hint of a problem. That said, there are so many other good powders out there for .41 Magnum that it seems contrary to monkey around with Blue Dot against the warnings of the manufacturer. We know 2400 works well (always has), as does 296/H110, the 4227s, AA9, etc., etc. When I start on my next batch of .41s, which will be soon, I am going to check on AA9 to see if I like it better than what I already know about 2400 and H110. Both are hard to beat.

[bnewc75]

STOPPED AFTER READING THE WARNING
H110 HAS BEEN GOOD FOR ME

[Nygma]

Originally Posted by harley46580

Ummm I believe the newest Hornady manual does have blue dot loadings for 41, can someone confirm?

Yes, Hornady 7th does have Blue Dot shown.