OAL for 41 Magnum in Model 57

[arminius]

Just wondering if anyone could tell me the maximum cartridge length that will work in a model 57 or 657? I load 41 mag for my Blackhawk, but have a friend who has a model 657. We are doing some shooting together and I would like for my loads to be interchangeable if possible. I load my 210 grain bullets at an OAL of 1.58. I have a Keith style bullet that is longer and would like to use it, but am concerned that a loaded length of 1.69" would be too much. My friend is not in town to check his cylinder chamber length. Help!

Thanks guys,

Arminius

[mkk41]

Using a 220gr Lyman 410459 with a sealted OAL of 1.69 works in my Ruger Blackhawks and S&W 57 and 657-3. But that is MAX.

[arminius]

I may just crimp them on the front driving band rather than in the crimp groove to be certain they will not tie his gun up. Thanks.

[mkk41]

Originally Posted by arminius

I may just crimp them on the front driving band rather than in the crimp groove to be certain they will not tie his gun up. Thanks.

NO! Seating too deep like that will dramatically raise pressure.

[michael thornton]

1.590 going buy my book?

[black41]

I kind of have the opposite problem...the OAL in my load is something like 1.535 for a 200 grain LFP sitting over 7.8 gr of Unique. That seems really short, but that's where the crimp groove is on the bullet. Being a fan of having a gun that doesn't explode in my hands, I'm wary...

[SuperMan]

Crimp it in the standard groove.... The only two guns in .41 Magnum that have short cylinders are the Taurus Tracker line and the Freedom Arms 97.

I have both S&W and Rugers and all loads from 170 to 305 grains will interchange when crimped in the standard crimping groove. The only exception that I can think of is the 230 grain Keith from Leadhead bullets. The front driving band on that bullet is excessively wide and will not chamber in my Ruger revolvers. Fits the Smiths just fine. Any other Keith bullet from SAECO or RCBS moulds work just fine.

Bob