.41 Mag - 215-gr. LSW load recommendations?

Dave Workman

Dave Workman

Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2015
Messages
198
Reaction score
277
Location
Washington state
I'm going to take delivery shortly of several hundred 215-grain lead SWC bullets and I've discovered (once again) there's a pitiful lack of loading data available.

Here's the dilemma: I do not use UNIQUE. So I'm not interested in any suggestions for UNIQUE. :D (Last time I asked several months ago, I got suggestions for..you guessed it..Unique. :rolleyes::D)

I have on hand: H110, Alliant 2400, CFE PISTOL, AutoComp

I'd surely appreciate any suggestions.
I previously loaded up some 200-grainers (LSWC) and found decent results with 2400. But that bullet is a little on the light side for what I have in mind: Stopping live game.

I've shot the 210-grain Nosler JHP for years over 20-grains of H110, but I'm trying to get more bang for my buck with cast lead bullets.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0747_1.jpg
    IMG_0747_1.jpg
    68 KB · Views: 63
Register to hide this ad
You don't list it but I use 6.0 gr of Universal. Which is an excellent Unique substitute. That's all I got.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • 20171221_154643.jpg
    20171221_154643.jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 375
2400: start with 16gr working up to 18 with a large pistol primer.

For .44 for example: 240 lswc, under 16.5gr …accuracy starts to wander. My mid range load is 17gr
 
I’ve used 7 grains of 231 for a long time as a tin can/paper target load. Accurate and pleasant to shoot. The only full-charge load I use is 19 grains of 2400, and have done so for years. Note that I do not recommend anyone use these loads since I have no idea how they relate to current, published data. They’re just what I’ve used for years and never had anything but good luck with them.

The 2400 load is not used much anymore. Pretty mean for most of my shooting. :o

The bullet I use is the H&G 258, which probably takes up less room in the case than most .41 SWCs, so with different bullet designs, powder charges may have to be adjusted.
 
Dave Workman said:
Well, I didn't list it because I don't have it. I did list what I have. ;)
THX.
Click to expand...

That's a powder puff load anyway but the same powder works just as well as you go up on the charge weight.

I don't shoot full power stuff anymore as I have shot my quota over the years and these days it'll probably cripple me.

Go with the 2400. I shot a fair amount of 19gr of 2400 but that might be the "old" Hercules 2400. They had a formula change somewhere along the line so older data might not be reliable with 2400.
 
Last edited:
tennexplorer said:
Try Hodgdonreloading.com. There are loads in their data center for Autocomp and CFE.
Click to expand...

Right...two loads for 200-grainers and five loads for 215-grainers. But since it's the Hodgdon's book, nothing for 2400.
I've thrown loads at 17 grains for the 200-grain bullet, but when the heavier pills get here, I'll probably begin with 16 grs and work up, keeping an eye open for signs of pressure (flat primers, cracked brass, etc)
Thx
 
SuperMan said:
What gun(s) do you have, what velocity do you want and what are you going to be doing with the load...

Bob
Click to expand...

My intentions were noted in the OP. Working on something that will stop live game. That's why I'm not really interested in plinkers.

I've got Ruger Blackhawks and S&W Model 57s.

For years, I've been using Nosler 210-grain JHPs as noted above, ahead of H110 (20 grs) or 2400.
 
Mike0251 said:
This might get you close to start with H110. 1986 RCBS cast bullet data. Hope it helps.
Click to expand...

I've had that book a long time. It's small and there's not much to it, but it has some good loads you won't find elsewhere. I still refer to it occasionally. You can't have too many paper manuals anyway.
 
Sadly the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition is woefully lacking loads and different powders for 41 Magnum .
I see NO Loads for 215 gr cast SWC in it ...210 gr. and 220 gr. ...Yes but no 215 gr.
Elmer Keith suggested a load of 16 grs. 2400 for a 215 gr. cast SWC , this would be at about 1200 fps and accurate .
It's my Hog Hunting load for the model 58 in my avatar !
Gary
 
Last edited:
gwpercle said:
Sadly the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition is woefully lacking loads and different powders for 41 Magnum .
I see NO Loads for 215 gr cast SWC in it ...210 gr. and 220 gr. ...Yes but no 215 gr.
Elmer Keith suggested a load of 16 grs. 2400 for a 215 gr. cast SWC , this would be at about 1200 fps and accurate .
It's my Hog Hunting load for the model 58 in my avatar !
Gary
Click to expand...

You're right. My reference in post #5 was for the 3rd edition, but I didn't mention that. I forgot I even had a 4th edition.
 
I've used W296/H110 with hard cast bullets since I first started loading the .41 Mag. I've used Jacketed data as my reference. I don't recall the exact charge that worked best. I'm thinking I shoot around 20 grains of H110 with Cast now.

I admit that as a young man I would put about as much as the case would hold and still leave room for the bullet. Young fellow with Rugers and Contenders, no chronograph. I was accused of using a cheater bar on my press to seat bullets. Chronograph showed me that I had reach saturation well below what I had been using. Wasting powder, punishing me and the firearms.

Lighter loads I've used both U powders, Longshot, Accurate 5, and more. The H110 should provide plenty of bang for a buck.

I want to find published data using W572 for the 41.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

elpac3
Model 53 Jet, Unique / BE86 loading
Replies
1
Views
196
rck281
R
D
357 Bunny Loads for old man
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
slickracer
S
B
Reloading .32-20 suggestions
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Green Frog
G
C
41Mag Pet Loads
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
paknheat
paknheat
C
Loading for .327 magnum and .32 H&R mag loads. Questions!
Replies
8
Views
2K
ncairman
N

Latest posts

Back
Top