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Old 01-02-2021, 01:39 AM
Makoman Makoman is offline
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Default Reloading supplies

I know I’m late to the party, but I just bought a gun chambered in a caliber I’ve always been enamored with, .41 mag. Though I have found some, I know that Ammo isn’t the easiest to find for this caliber, but I like it enough to get into reloading. Just wonder where everyone gets their supplies. I know everything everywhere is pretty much on backorder, but that’s OK, I’ll just get everything as it becomes available. I plan to reload for .270 Win, 6.5 CM, and .357 mag as well.

Also, what brands of brass and primers does everyone recommend?
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Old 01-02-2021, 02:53 AM
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Starline is generally good brass. About anyone's primers will do. I like CCI and Win. but will use what I can get. I use mostly commercial cast bullets but can also cast my own. HTH because , with the exception of bullets, which may or may not be available, none of the rest appear to be available.

Last edited by GB; 01-04-2021 at 03:01 AM.
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Old 01-02-2021, 05:26 AM
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Default If you can buy in enough quantity......

.... and you decide what you are going to need, there are several places online that sell powder and (usually) primers. The reason I mention these is that there is a hazmat fee associated with getting it shipped to you on both of these items and they need to travel by ground. Powder Valley is good. Graf's, Natchez, Brownell's are all good. If you can buy local at a decent price it will save shipping and hazmat.

I buy jacketed bullets from anybody that has what I want in stock at the right price. 99% of my pistol shooting is done with Hytec coated bullets which I mostly order from Missouri Bullets but there are several good outfits. These guys are strained to supply, but if you aren't in a hurry they come through. Just order BEFORE you need them. About six weeks is typical.

You can get buy with a few powders. A fast burning powder like Bullseye or similar for light loads. A medium
powder for heavier loads that also fill the case better and since you are into .41, a magnum powder like Blue Dot, Acc. #9, I use a lot of 2400. And if you want fireballs use H110/296. Look at the Hodgdon Burn rate chart and you can see how these powders relate. Make a list of powders suitable for what you want to do and buy them when they are available.

I used to use two pistol powders, then added a magnum powder. When that last big shortage hit I stocked up on powder of many kinds. I like to experiment anyway, but I also bought some 8 lb jugs of some I knew I would need.

The first thing to do is get a (or a couple of) reloading manuals with good 'how to' sections in them. There is a wealth of info on the internet, but it's best to used published info. A lot of reloading data is available at power manufacturers websites.

Midway USA has a useful web page that lists starting equipment you will need. I started reloading really on the cheap and after 40 years still focus on economy. But as time went by I added labor saving items and streamlined my operation. I still use my old single stage press.

In fact I started out with Lee Hand loading tools until I knew that I wanted to get into reloading further.

You are going about it good way. Don't be in a hurry. Safety is always first.
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Old 01-02-2021, 05:35 AM
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I started out with RCBS reloading press and kit. But later on I was away from reloading and needed dies for new calibers. I found the lee dies fit the RCBS rockchucker press. I tested the lee RGB 308 win die set. I ran about 5 k rounds through it. Not one problem.

I have plenty of primers, bullets and brass but no powder.
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Old 01-02-2021, 06:05 AM
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I like Penn Bullets for shooting lead. Not sure if the OP is looking at heavy or moderate loads though. Grafs seems to have brass & bullets when Midway or Brownells is out. Brownells serves me well for parts and accessories, not so much for reloading.

More often than not I ended up buying some supplies from Grafs, some from Midway and then from Midsouth. At least Brownells has their free shipping program. Makes ordering a broken depriming pin hurt less.

As a side note, I have a fair number of Lee dies but their case neck expander for handgun cartridges drives me nuts. The mandrel floats and when on the upstroke, releasing it from the case, the damn thing is of course stuck tight into the case. There's always a hard stop & break as the mandrel releases.
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Old 01-02-2021, 08:43 AM
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Isn't that hard stop and break on purpose? To 'shake' the powder dispenser and get a clean drop?

(Assumes you are flaring and powder dispense in same op, which is common.)
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Old 01-02-2021, 11:28 AM
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.41 is very easy to load. It is a straight case and works well in the dies. I have been loading for it since the 80's. I have a variety of cases and they all work well.

My favorite load is 7.0 of Unique with a cast 210-220 grain cast swc. It is mild and accurate. I use mostly WW primers as that is what my LGS carried. I have also used Federal, Remington and CCI.
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Old 01-02-2021, 11:39 AM
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I usually go to Midsouth Shooter's Supply first for reloading equipment and supplies. Then Brownell's for the more sophisticated stuff!

Smiles,
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Old 01-02-2021, 12:26 PM
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If you are getting into shooting and reloading for the 41 magnum you might want to order a couple bullet moulds . This opens up a whole new avenue of possibilities with the 41 magnum and 41 Special type loads .

An accuracy winner , is made by NOE, #413-215-WC (413432) , this is a wadcutter design that is not loaded flush with the case mouth .
This design is very accurate (15 shots will cluster into 1 1/2 " one ragged hole" ) and about the only bullet I load for the 41 .
I also bought two SWC moulds ...one being an Elmer Keith "Signature " mould ( a work of art ) and a Keith 237 grain SWC mould.

Lyman has discontinued all .41 moulds , Lee only makes two and who knows how soon they will go .
You may not want to cast today ... but I would order the moulds from NOE now ... while you still can ... and wait for Al Nelson to make them ... as soon as they are in short supply ...it's Too Late !
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Old 01-02-2021, 12:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Makoman View Post
I plan to reload for .270 Win, 6.5 CM, and .357 mag as well.

Also, what brands of brass and primers does everyone recommend?
Others have made good sourcing suggestions. As you know, components are hard to come by these days. You may just have to take what you can get. Ammoseek.com is a good search engine, but think critically about the listed suppliers and shipping costs before ordering.

Starline is my first choice for brass. They're cheaper than many other sources and equal or better quality. For a couple of very accurate rifles, I use Lapua ($$) brass. But then, I use Berger bullets and Wilson dies on those guys as well.

I'm indiscriminate about primers for most uses. For the above-mentioned accuracy rifles, I use CCI BR2 or BR4 primers. Some loads were developed with Remington 7 1/2 primers, so I stick with those. They could dry up with Remington's troubles, so I may have to switch to CCI BR4 in those loads.

FWIW, I used to use Federal primers exclusively, not only the "regular" primers, but match primers too. A number of years ago, I started seeing radial cracks on the faces and/or pinholes on the edges of fired primers so I quit using them altogether. Not associated with a specific hot load, I saw the troubles with various large and small primers in handguns and rifles. Perhaps they have since fixed their issues, but I haven't gone back to them.
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Old 01-02-2021, 01:00 PM
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Smile In a Good Place.

Welcome to the Forum. You have come to the Right Place. This
Smith & Wesson Forum is the best there is. Accept no Substitutes.

You will get only good advise. The Members are GREAT here.
All the Advise to come is the best.

I see you are on Hunt Talk forum, that is a nice place too.

I would suggest that you fill in your Location, only because
someone may live near you and see that, and maybe assist you.

From your Post, you are doing right by picking up Reloading
Items as you find them. I, myself avoid buy Reloading Supplies
off the Internet, only trying to buy Local, and been successful
at it. In my Mind the Internet Companies could care less about
us.

I will not add any Sage to your Post because all is forth coming,
and I would be rambling on, as you can see.

Just ask and you will receive a Wealth of information here,
probably more than other Forums.

The Best to you and your Endeavors. Welcome!

New Venture. In a Red Box for a reason.
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Old 01-02-2021, 01:04 PM
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For your revolver loads, three powders will do everything you need: Bullseye, Unique and 2400. Use Bullseye for light target loads in .38 Spl., and .357. Unique for moderate loads in all three and 2400 for your magnum loads. No need for magnum primers as standard primers will work just fine with these three powders. I prefer CCI but get what you can find. I have always had good luck with RCBS equipment and their service. The high tek cast bullets from Missouri Bullet Company are very good and a good place to start. Good luck and enjoy the journey.
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Old 01-02-2021, 05:48 PM
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Default Oh, you aren't late to the party.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by Makoman View Post
I know I’m late to the party, but I just bought a gun chambered in a caliber I’ve always been enamored with, .41 mag. Though I have found some, I know that Ammo isn’t the easiest to find for this caliber, but I like it enough to get into reloading. Just wonder where everyone gets their supplies. I know everything everywhere is pretty much on backorder, but that’s OK, I’ll just get everything as it becomes available. I plan to reload for .270 Win, 6.5 CM, and .357 mag as well.

Also, what brands of brass and primers does everyone recommend?

The party is just beginning!

Just a note about bottleneck rifle cases. There are some special considerations as they are more complex. And if you reload any semi auto pistol rounds, they come with their own set of quirks.Revolver cases are easiest and a good place to start. But you can learn about that as you go along. Keep us posted and let us know of any problems.
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Old 01-02-2021, 06:26 PM
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For brass , I have had good luck with Starline and Winchester . Some say Winchester doesn't last long but I've had " long life " using Winchester . For primers . I have used Winchester , CCI and even the Russian primers (Tula ) when that was all that was available yrs ago . I did have a few , very few Russian primers that were duds . I can't tell you about Magtech nor S&B . For bullets , I cast my own . My most used is the real Keith , H&G 258 . I have occasionally used Berry's plated bullets with good results too . For powders , lots of good powders . I use Winchester Super Target for target loads . Winchester Super Field for my mid range loads . IMR 4227 is my magnum powder of choice . I give up a little velocity but enjoy great accuracy . For dies I use LEE , no problems . Good Luck , Regards Paul
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Old 01-02-2021, 09:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikerjf View Post
Isn't that hard stop and break on purpose? To 'shake' the powder dispenser and get a clean drop?

(Assumes you are flaring and powder dispense in same op, which is common.)
I use a Lyman single stage press, so it's flare only. If Lee sells expander dies that don't do the powder dispense I'd buy them. Hope I haven't been missing them all these years.
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Old 01-09-2021, 02:30 PM
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RMR Bullets has Nosler 210 JHP in stock today.
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Old 01-09-2021, 05:48 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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I cast my own from a Saeco swc 220gr.I load them in Starline brass with 20.0 gr H110.Factory magnum load equivalent.Make sure you use Magnum primer if you load with H110 or W296.
Very accurate;you'll like the .41.This caliber is eager to please.
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:28 PM
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Have only one time bought brass (that was for a .38 ACP Colt 1903 Hammer). All the rest of the brass that I own is picked up at the range. It is amazing how much brass that shooters generate. I will ask the folks who are shooting next to me if they are saving their brass. If they say no then I clean it up for them. I have enough brass to last me until I can not reload anymore and to keep the Grandkids supplied for quite a while.
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:41 PM
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Supplies are all but non-existent in the places where you usually find them. Check the small shops if you have any near you. I just bought some small pistol magnum primers from a small shop in the mountains. He had 600 in stock, but only allowed me 200. He charged me only 4.00 per hundred, not the 16.00 they sell for on GunBroker. Also scored 1 pound of 296 pistol powder for 29.00. He had a few pounds more he was keeping for his regular customers. I have no problem with that. Bought some .41 and 45 caliber bullets each priced at 26.00. Hats off to the small shop owners who choose not to gouge.
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Old 01-09-2021, 06:45 PM
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Quote:
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Supplies are all but non-existent in the places where you usually find them. Check the small shops if you have any near you. I just bought some small pistol magnum primers from a small shop in the mountains. He had 600 in stock, but only allowed me 200. He charged me only 4.00 per hundred, not the 16.00 they sell for on GunBroker. Also scored 1 pound of 296 pistol powder for 29.00. He had a few pounds more he was keeping for his regular customers. I have no problem with that. Bought some .41 and 45 caliber bullets each priced at 26.00. Hats off to the small shop owners who choose not to gouge.
There are some out there that try to take care of their customers. But many just see dollar signs and try to get all they can.
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