How much difference would the point of impact be between 170 and 200 grain bullets at a normal plinking range? All of my current loaded ammo for my 41's are standard 200 grainers, but I have about 500 170 grain bullets just laying around. I really don't want to re adjust the sights on my guns if they will be off that much. Trying to decide whether to load, melt or sell them....

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Todd

Out to 25y, not much.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

If you are shooting a model 57 , I have a fixed sighted model 58 , I can tell you that 41 magnum loads ... with cast SWC bullets from Lyman Moulds design # 410032 that came in a variety of different weights -
(200 gr. , 205 gr. , 212 gr. 215 gr. , 220 gr. , 225 gr.) , with the 200 gr. 215 gr. and 225 gr. weight bullets , when all are loaded to 950 to 1000 fps , POA and POI for all three are eerily close ... close enough so that I dont have to worry about my fixed sights and Kentucky windages .
Elmer Keith even noticed this and wrote about it in his book "Sixguns" . Said no other caliber showed this tendency to group different weights together .
I would load up a few of the 170 grain bullets and see where they strike the target . You may need to adjust a powder charge up or down to get the 170's to group with the 200's but it should be easy .
I've found fixed sights in the 41 magnum to be very easy to live with , working up loads to hit to my gun's sights has not been a problem at all .
Don't adjust your sights ... adjust your load !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I've never fired a .41 caliber revolver, but have lots of experience with different weight bullets in .32, .38, .44, and .45 caliber. Here's some real world experience, all at a distance of 50 feet.

Colt Police Positive Special 4 inch barrel, .32 S&W Long - 83 grain WC shoots to point of aim, 98 grain WC 2 inches high.

S&W Model 60, 3 inch barrel, .38 Special - 158 grain bullet shoots to POA, 125 grain bullet 2.5 inches low.

S&W Third Model .44 Special 6.5 inch barrel - 215 grain bullet shoots to POA, 246 grain bullet 3 inches high.

Colt Model 1917 .45 ACP - 200 grain bullet shoots to POA, 230 grain bullet shoots 2.5 inches high.

Keep in mind that at longer distances the trajectories may cross and the results may be reversed. My experience at 50 feet is that for bullets from the same gun that are 15-20% apart in weight the heavier bullet will hit 2-3 inches higher. All of the above loads are slightly below max from either Speer, Lyman, or Hornady manuals and all are with cast or swaged lead bullets.

I know Elmer Keith made that comment about .41 caliber guns and I can't disagree because I've never fired a .41 and he had about 10 lifetimes of shooting experience, but I don't see why the laws of physics would be any different for .41 caliber. I know you said you didn't want to adjust your sights, but those 2 bullet weights are probably only 4-6 clicks of the elevation screw apart at 50 feet.

I can't explain why the 41 magnum likes to group different bullet weights not too far apart ...neither could Elmer Keith ... but he experienced the same phenomena and felt compelled to write about it .
I've been dealing with the fixed sights on my model 58 since 1969 , lots of shooting during those years and lots of load development .
Just try those 170 gr. bullets ... you might be surprised how easy they are to regulate.... if it doesn't work out ...nothing lost.
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

So each bullet might shoot at a different POA........ big deal.

A good shooter learns how to work with a bullet weight in his weapons.....
plus you have yet to shoot them !!

They might not be that far off.
Stop worrying and go shot them and see what happens.