Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-11-2021, 09:43 PM
burneyr's Avatar
burneyr burneyr is offline
SWCA Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: N. Florida
Posts: 355
Likes: 445
Liked 1,047 Times in 192 Posts
Default .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231

I looked through my five manuals, and lead bullet info is really lacking.

I have the SNS Casting HiTek coated 215gr SWCs to load.

A member here gave me a great load with Longshot, but a good friend was really desperate for a pound, and I helped him out. Looking at my powder stash thinking HP-38 is my most viable choice.

I'm not looking for barn burning velocity. Just a nice shooting load that will work to point of aim with my model 58 fixed sights. Guessing something in the 900-1000fps range will get the job done.

Any help appreciated -
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-11-2021, 10:06 PM
SuperMan SuperMan is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rochester, NH USA
Posts: 4,001
Likes: 1,620
Liked 4,900 Times in 1,701 Posts
Default

7.0 will run in the 850-900 fps range from a 4 barrel and very accurate.

Lots of information on .41s here...

.41 Magnum / 41 Special Load Data Center

Bob
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 09-12-2021, 12:15 AM
Scharfschuetzer's Avatar
Scharfschuetzer Scharfschuetzer is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Puget Sound Area
Posts: 888
Likes: 39
Liked 2,388 Times in 649 Posts
Default

Both powders will do well in moderate loads for your Model 58 and the 215 grain cast bullet. The original police load for the caliber was a 210 grain swaged lead bullet (leaded horribly) at 800 fps which you should be able to duplicate easily with the 231/HP38.

I've been using a 210 grain cast SWC over 8.0 grains of Unique to duplicate the load ever since I started carrying a Model 58 on the force in the early 80s.
__________________
Keep your powder dry.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-12-2021, 12:48 AM
colt_saa's Avatar
colt_saa colt_saa is offline
SWCA Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Cocoa Beach, Florida
Posts: 10,559
Likes: 3,037
Liked 22,454 Times in 5,824 Posts
Default

My hard cast SWCs drop from my mold at 212 grains

I send them down range with 7 grains of 231/HP38
__________________
"Acta non verba"
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 09-12-2021, 06:18 AM
glenwolde's Avatar
glenwolde glenwolde is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 3,669
Likes: 1,566
Liked 6,200 Times in 2,272 Posts
Default

I use Universal...6.0 or 6.5 gr with a 215 SWC. Loading Unique up to the point you get a complete burn would work. Universal is very close to Unique.

One thing about the .41 data, since it is originally a magnum there's little in the way of light loads listed. None of the data is what you'd call "powder-puff". I've gone below listed minimums a little with lead bullets.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-12-2021, 10:09 AM
cowboy4evr cowboy4evr is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: for now ,Texas
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 185
Liked 3,297 Times in 1,523 Posts
Default

I can tell you , from personal experience that with a 210-220 gr cast bullet that 7.0 grs of HP-38 , Ramshot Zip , Accurate #2 and IMR 7625 (now discontinued ) makes exceptionally accurate loads . I felt Accurate #2 was the most impressive . One thing that I really like about Accurate #2 is that it's " not position sensitive " according to Accurate Powder Co , yet it does not burn hot , like Titegroup powder .
Last time to the range I tried 2 of Elmer Keith's load for the 41 magnum , 4.5 grs of Bullseye powder and 7.5 grs of Unique . The Bullseye load is an ideal target load . The Unique load made a real nice " shoot all day " mid range load with POA = POI for both . Of course both loads used his design 220 gr cast bullet , H&G 258 . Any cast bullet 210-220 gr will work just fine as well . Regards Paul
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 09-13-2021, 09:56 PM
brian_a_mcmillen brian_a_mcmillen is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Anderson, Indiana
Posts: 48
Likes: 12
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I use 8 grains of Unique for my 215 grain (.411) Missouri Bullet Co. Keith SWCs which was known as the "police" round and 19.5 to 20.0 grains of H110 under Nosler 210 grain (.410) JHPs which really cook! I shoot either of these in a Model 57 N-Frame with a 6" barrel.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-13-2021, 10:29 PM
max's Avatar
max max is offline
US Veteran
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: illinois
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 1,849
Liked 6,681 Times in 2,115 Posts
Default

Since you asked about 231, it should work fine. My standard load for many years has been 7.0 of Unique and a cast swc.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-27-2021, 06:40 PM
burneyr's Avatar
burneyr burneyr is offline
SWCA Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: N. Florida
Posts: 355
Likes: 445
Liked 1,047 Times in 192 Posts
Default

I would like to thank everyone who responded.

Picked up a nice Model 57 recently and kept my 58 NIB.

In the meantime I went with the recommended 7.0gr under a coated 215gr SWC.
This load worked beautifully - dead straight to point of aim and very accurate.
Not hot or mild - just right. Averaged a tad over 900 FPS consistently.

Appreciate the forum for all the great advice over the years. I am really going to enjoy giving this model 57 a workout and carrying it around the farm.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #10  
Old 11-27-2021, 06:58 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
SWCA Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 10,039
Liked 10,047 Times in 4,758 Posts
Default

I've used that one for years and have tried others but never found anything I liked better. Since I always try to have 231/HP38 on hand, it's a natural for me. That one and 19.0 grs 2400 are the extent of my .41 Magnum loading recipes. What one doesn't do, the other will.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-27-2021, 08:15 PM
Dfish1247 Dfish1247 is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 213
Likes: 24
Liked 202 Times in 90 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by burneyr View Post
I would like to thank everyone who responded.

Picked up a nice Model 57 recently and kept my 58 NIB.

In the meantime I went with the recommended 7.0gr under a coated 215gr SWC.
This load worked beautifully - dead straight to point of aim and very accurate.
Not hot or mild - just right. Averaged a tad over 900 FPS consistently.

Appreciate the forum for all the great advice over the years. I am really going to enjoy giving this model 57 a workout and carrying it around the farm.
You’ll have fun with this load for pest control, the 41 packs a pretty good wallop even though your hand doesn’t feel it.

If they ever show up again, unique, aa5, and win 244 work awesome in the 41.

Last edited by Dfish1247; 11-27-2021 at 08:17 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-29-2022, 05:34 AM
sourdough44's Avatar
sourdough44 sourdough44 is offline
Member
.41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231 .41 Magnum and HP-38/W231  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 602
Likes: 16
Liked 112 Times in 66 Posts
Default

Just came by looking at 41 mag/special info. That thread linked above is 55 pages worth of 41 info, thanks Superman.

I have a Model 57, Redhawk & Blackhawk in 41 mag. I went on a kick a few years ago. I know the common refrain is no need for the 41 special brass, just download the 1/8” longer brass. That understood, I still bought some Starline brass in the ‘special’ length.

The price was ok, so often I’m content at the midlin load levels. Once I finish up some 22 Hornet reloading I think I’ll go back to 41 special loads. I have a lot of H Universal powder, seems a good place to start.

I like the new Sierra manual, dedicated section with the 41 special.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
W231 and BE-86 joe44va Reloading 9 01-03-2016 11:17 AM
WST vs W231 iouri Reloading 9 05-17-2014 06:57 AM
W231 .38 and .357 Magnum loads. JeepinSoldier Reloading 27 08-17-2012 03:40 AM
38 spl and w231 alphabrace Reloading 7 01-31-2010 11:56 AM
W231 vs H110 for .44 Magnum pdubois64 Reloading 7 01-11-2009 12:41 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:20 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)