Reloading the .41 Magnum

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george_lehr

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I've been reloading / shooting .41 magnum for only a few months and because of the powder shortage am using some powders I've not used before, like IMR 4227 and SR4756.
I stay at the low end of the ranges in data from Lyman and Hodgdon, trying to keep the lead bullet velocities around 900 to 1000 fps. They shoot comfortably in my M57, but not so much in the 4 5/8" barreled Ruger. I'm shopping for some oversize grips. In the meantime, I'd like to try some lighter loads, but there is no .41 "Special" data to base loads on. I'm thinking that the SR4756 could be reduced without problems, but probably not such a good idea with IMR 4227.
Anyone here have experience with lighter .41 magnum loads and powder recommendations?
George
 
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My favorite load for my .41's is 7 grains of Unique and a 215 SWC cast bullet. If you can find Unique this is the load I would go with.
You can get 1,000 rounds out of a pound of powder and this load will take care of most things that need taking care of with a revolver.
 
I have used 16.5 grains of 2400, 9 and 9.5 grains of 4756, and 6.6 grains of 231 with a Missouri Valley 215 grain SWC. All with good results. It's a great round.
 
I used Blue Dot back in my .41 days but shot only full-power loads. I installed Pachmeyers on my Blackhawk but found they tore my hand up. I stuck with the Ruger wood grips.
 
I'll throw in for Unique...I use a 250 grain LBT WFN over 7.5 grains of Unique. Nice heavy hitter with light recoil in my 3" 657.
 
SR4756 is one of my favorite powders. With a 210 grain bullet one can start about 7.0 for 800 fps up to 12-13 grains which will run 1225-1350 depending on the barrel length.

Don't get too used to it however as it is being discontinued this year...

Bob
 
210 grain plated bullet over 9.7 grains of Unique, chrono's right at 1200 fps. Very pleasant to shoot in a Redhawk.
 
george_lehr said:
...I'd like to try some lighter loads, but there is no .41 "Special" data to base loads on. I'm thinking that the SR4756 could be reduced without problems, but probably not such a good idea with IMR 4227.
Click to expand...

Speer #9 lists 4756 for a 215gr L-SWC/GC, 8.5->9.5gr, 1028->1144fps.

Lyman #45 lists similar loads w/o a GC.

I4227 would likely be pretty dirty & inefficient at the speed you mentioned.

.
 
You can find some .41 Special data on the internet since it is a "wildcat" cartridge.

You can also use data based on the .41 AE, .40S&W and 10mm auto and adjust as needed.

My Unique load is 8 gr. under a lead bullet, which is my social purposes load. I also like 4.0 grains of Bullseye under a 210-220 gr. lead bullet for a very pleasant plinking/target load.
 
Thank you all for the recommendations and info. I had a little Unique left and was able to buy two pounds from a friend, so I'll try that.
Superman: I didn't have any prior experience with SR4756, but when I recently read about how many liked it and that it would be discontinued, I got lucky and got four pounds from Brownell's. That'll last me for a while.
Jellybean: I never realized that there was a .41 special. Your info led me to another forum post with a link to some load data based on Taffin tests here:
http://handloads.com/
I even found that some new .41 special cases are available, albeit at a ridiculous price, here:
Quality Cartridge Reloading Brass 41 Special Box of 50
I'm glad I posted my question here. I read enough posts to feel confident in loading .41 special type loads in magnum length cases without worry.
Thanks again,
George
 
Just an aside, if you gradually increase the power of your loads, you will get used to the recoil and be shooting the real deal. Even at the range, I start with 22LR and end with one of the big magnums, full on power...the bulk in the middle being 38 and 357. It's not so pleasant if I go out of order.
 
Last edited:
Anyone have any experience with BE-86 in the .41 mag?
 
powder for .41 mag.

I'm using Trail Boss in all my big bore revolvers 4.5 to 7 works in every thing(.357,.41 mag. 38-40, 44-40, ,44 special, ..45 LCd and .45 schofield. these are not mag. loads and some are cowboy loads. but 6.5 gr's of TB is a good hunting load for the .41. If I was going for pigs(HOgs) I'd use a jacketed bullet with 7gr. of TB, but unique, 231, titegroup, all work in the .41.
Pat
 
at_liberty,
It's not the recoil that bothers me. The real deal in the model 57 is fine, but the Ruger turns up in my hand and bites the web between my thumb and index finger.
I'm pretty sure it's because of the short 4.625" barrel and thinking that I should've bought the 6.5" barrel .41 instead. My 6.5" .357 Blackhawk and 7.5" .44 Super Blackhawk also turn up in my hand, but don't bite.
 
I had a .41 BH like that years ago and hated it for that very reason. The problem is the grip frame. My deceased shooting buddy loved that grip because he could load his BH's up to full magnum loads and not feel as much recoil, but I didn't shoot that many hot loads and hated having to regrip my revolver after every gnat fart load I fired during load development.

One suggestion is to find a replacement grip that has a hump, or ridge, that sits at the top of the web of your hand. Grips are not as common as they were before the autos took over, but you might find something. I don't know if anyone ever made a replacement grip frame for them, but that would be ideal.

I had other Ruger revolvers that had longer barrels and couldn't stand the balance of them, either single or double action.
 
george_lehr said:
at_liberty,
It's not the recoil that bothers me. The real deal in the model 57 is fine, but the Ruger turns up in my hand and bites the web between my thumb and index finger.
I'm pretty sure it's because of the short 4.625" barrel and thinking that I should've bought the 6.5" barrel .41 instead. My 6.5" .357 Blackhawk and 7.5" .44 Super Blackhawk also turn up in my hand, but don't bite.
Click to expand...

I have small hands and am not athletic, and I do okay with the NMBH 4 5/8". However, I do use an extra firm grip. One cannot expect to use a relaxed grip on these bigger magnums.

The other thing is the shooting stance. The strongside arm should be fully extended and the same side foot should be back at least slightly in some version of a Weaver stance. That should channel the recoil all the way back and down to the ground. Those who pull the sights in closer and have bent arms are asking for problems with magnums. They could also get slammed in the face, if not careful.
 
Jellybean and at_liberty,
I just received some oversize grips. Hogue rubber grips (ugly) and Hogue Pao Ferro wood grips (look better). The grips make you hold the gun differently (lower grip), but I'm willing to try them. I never before had a problem with the gun turning up from recoil. Like I said, I had no problem with that with my longer barreled .357 and .44. I believed that that was the way single action revolvers were supposed to be shot. I have pictures of Elmer Keith and Charles Askins firing single action revolvers and the guns are tipped up, pointed toward the sky.
In addition to trying new grips, I've loaded a bunch of milder .41 loads using a 225 grain LSWC over 7.0, 6.0, and 5.0 grains of Unique. I'll see how they perform on the plate range and report back.
George
 
The Houge grip will reduce the recoil of the short Blackhawk grip. You could also get a Super Blackhawk grip fitted up. Mag-Na-Port will work without changing anything. I had both barrel lengths of the Blackhawk in 41 Mag and there really was no difference in recoil between the two.

Unique and WW231 always worked well for the 41 Magnum midrange loads.
 
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