I just thought I would dump some .41 magnum/2400 load data and results from yesterday.

Backstory- I bought a brand new 6 1/2" .41 magnum Ruger Blackhawk on Friday and I had some loads already worked up for it. My wife and I went to the range yesterday and I was very happy with the RBH/41M/2400 combo.

Bullet- Gallant 215 coated LSWC
Primer- WINWLP

I am a literal brand new reloader. I had shoulder surgery in October, so I was kept away from my other passion (bass fishing). I decided to take up something I have always been interested in doing. With limited time as a reloader, and in some very challenging times, I do not have the years of supply many of you may have. Powder is scarce so I source it whenever I find it and find some data for it. I am going to stick with the 2400 for full magnum loads, my next endeavor will be to settle on a nice plink/target load.

Data dump:

16.0 grains 2400
1329 FPS
1328
1321
1328
1329- (1327 average)

16.5 grains 2400
1364
1350
1382
1357
1373- (1365 average)

17.0 grains 2400
1382
1387
1391
1380
1399- (1388 average)

Some of my first handgun reloads were in the 41 mag...a 4 inch 57 I bought in 66 no...67. I got some heavy what we call WFNGC 245 gr bullets now..loaded with IIRC 16 2400. Loaded on a Herters press and dies. Not real fast...about 1150-1175. Shot through a bear and a Alaska/Yukon moose front to back. They were also pretty accurate. But both were in the 40 foot range. I still have loads with that weight bullet but with L'il Gun powder now. Shot through an elk too. You made a good choice in the 41. In my opinion as good as the 44 mag. That 16 gr load was just scary consistent.

If you want something light, try your same bullet and 7.0 of Unique.

Grab a bottle of BE86.
Others seem to be scared of it, as it is one of the few that are easy to get.
It is also a hidden gem
You can go stout or bring it down.
Unique does not like to be downloaded. BE86 can.
Good shooting

Ain't no flies on those results!

Great loads and shooting. The love of the .41 Mag caliber is one of the main reasons I started loading. There was no interwebs, local shops would only special order, etc.

Congrats on the New Blackhawk and those excellent range results!

__________________
GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

Back in '79, I used a Ruger Blackhawk, 6 inch barrel, 41 Mag to win 3rd place Production Class at Iowa metallic sihouete match. It knocked doen those heavy ram targets flat at 200 yards.

Welcome to the world of reloading...and Cult of the 4T1....also my favorite revolver cartridge...

The below thread has a lot of good posts and links to everything .41...

.41 Magnum / 41 Special Load Data Center

Don't know what you have available for powder but 7.0 or W-231/HP38 or 8.0 grains of Unique with most any bullet has worked for me...

Bob

I recently tried Hodgdon's " Titegroup " powder in the 41M . They list 6.5-7.5 grs using a 210 bullet . I used 7.0 using a cast 210 gr with complete satisfaction . I have also used Elmer Keiths " gallery load " of 4.5 grs of Bullseye . That is also a very accurate --- shoot it all day load very comfortably . For just a " plinker " I would recommend that load first . If you can't find Bullseye , Red Dot with work just as well , same 4.5 grs . Welcome to the club . Both I and my sister have been " members " for a very long time . Regards Paul

Wife, smiling, range…three words I cannot put in the same sentence.

When I first started, my .41 got nothing but w296/h110. Then 2400, then I switched my .41 to “mid range only” and left the heavy hitting to my 44s.

Now I like unique, as my model 58 has become my go to 41. “Police loads” of 8gr unique/210 cast. Tougher to find now, may try red dot; used to load RD in my 45colt.

My first 41 Mag was also a 6 1/2” Blackhawk. It also was the gun that started my reloading “addiction”. That was in 1982. Many more 41’s have come and gone, and several still live here, including that first one. It wears a 4 5/8” barrel now. My favorite mid-range powder is Power Pistol.

Dan

My 1st 41mg was a Ruger BH, second was S&W 58. Loaded cast with GC.
Didn’t get any 57s until 70s. We used 2400 exclusively, same powder we were using in 44mg. So it’s been the staple powder for near 55yrs.

Whether it's loaded mild or wild, I've found the .41 to be a wonderfully accurate cartridge.

I no longer load it wild. The joints in my right hand have taken a beating from heavy loads in various calibers over the years, so these days I load down to painless recoil. For me that's 6.0gr of Universal with the common 215gr commercial coated cast SWC. That load and my 6" 657 are my best shooting combination, beating out even my Model 14 with wadcutters by a hair. That's saying a lot.

I'm on the lookout for a Blackhawk. I'd like a stainless but I'm not sure they've ever made one. I could always hard-chrome a blued one I guess.

Attached Images

Mod657.jpg (72.3 KB, 258 views)

I bought a Ruger NM blackhawk about 10 yrs ago . Got it dirt cheap . Discovered it had a steel grip frame instead of the factory alloy (has better balance now ) and it came with a fancy rear sight and a red insert in front sight . It sports a 4 5/8" barrel . It looks almost brand new yet today . It goes with me next range session . Winchester Super Field became my Unique replacement years ago and I have never looked back . Regards Paul

Congrats on acquiring your .41 mag. Blackhawk. Also for enjoying the company of your smiling wife at the range!
Today's scarcity of powder & primers can be very frustrating and expensive when you do finally locate some. I've been shooting and reloading for the .41 mag. since 1971 (it was my 1st cartridge to reload and coincidentally it was for a 6-1/2" Blackhawk). I am primarily a cast bullet shooter and the majority of my loads for my .41 mag. revolvers utilize the Lyman #410459 SWC bullet. In addition to 2400, I have used the following powders with complete satisfaction - WSF, Unique, W-231, Accurate #9, Accurate 5744, or BE-86. I normally load my .41 mag. ammo to achieve 900-1,000 fps. it has served me well for going on 50 years.
Good luck in your quest.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

I have all of those powders...Lots of 5744. Never tried it in anything other than both my Savage Smokeless Powder muzzleloaders. Going to have to try some of those in handgun ammo.. And silhouette shooting at 200 yds Jake?? Wow... I can't hardly see that far!!

Skeet 028 -
I've used 5744 for cast bullet rifle loads (30-06 primarily) and for cast bullet loads in my 1895 Marlin (it works REALLY well with my 405 gr. RNFP cast bullets and absolutely hammers deer and hogs!).
After completing my annual bullet, primer, powder inventory last year, I realized that I had more 5744 than I remembered (more than my 45-70 hunting requirements for an extended time period) and pulled out the Accurate manual to see what other cartridges it might be used in. The .41 mag. was one of them and it works well with my chosen cast SWC bullet.
AA-5744 has become difficult to find (but what component hasn't become scarce?) and considerably more expensive than in times past, but still works well in more cartridges than I originally thought.
Check it out - I think you'll be pleased.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

Nice Shootin, I find a load of 4.5 grains of Bullseye behind 215 gr High-Tek coated Missouri Bullets group well at 50 yds off the bench. Model 57 long tube.

"glenwolde;141729325]I'm on the lookout for a Blackhawk. I'd like a stainless but I'm not sure they've ever made one. I could always hard-chrome a blued one I guess."

Ruger made one small run of stainless BHs with both the 4 5/8" and 6.5" barrel lengths...very rare to find. They also made a couple of runs of a 5.5" stainless Bisley...check the auction sites...

Bob

Thank you for the nudge. I found a lot of good information over there. I have 2400, H110, HP-38, green dot, bullseye and IMR 4227 on hand. I found quite a few directions to go with several of those.

I'm a shooter not a collector so I think it sounds like I'll be priced out of those. Not that I mind paying up for a good gun, as the ammo I shoot out of it will likely cost me more.

My 57 is my favorite large bore revolver, and 2400 is what I use for the loads in it.

Also, judging from the size of those groups, you should be very careful not to make that woman mad at you!

Oh yeah, they made several stainless Blackhawks in 41 Mag. I have been on that chase for years but still haven't got one. My favorite is the 5.5" Bisley model 0471 or KRBN415W.

Great shooting, the 41 magnum is one of my favorite rounds, have a Blackhawk and 2 M57’s. I use 8.0 hrs Unique as my everyday day load.

If you want less recoil , use lighter weight bullets . A 180 gr over 7.5 grs of Unique in a 4" barrel revolver will give you about 800-825 fps . 6.5 grs of Unique will yield about 750-775 fps for another very comfortable , significantly reduced recoil , yet accurate load . What's not to like ? Regards Paul

My 4 inch 57 does not shoot as well with light bullets. The lightest one it shot well was a 195 cast bullet from a Lee mold. I just use the 210 to 230 gr bullets with a little faster burning speed powder at reduced velocity...Red Dot and Green dot work well. If you can find it. I do have it

I am looking forward to some nice light loads. I actually do have some green dot, it is the Unique that I can’t find anywhere and that is the biggest suggestion I get for a nice target/range load.

just another suggestion./ If you can find some Herco powder. Just slightly slower than Unique. Iyou load 7 gr of Unique...Herco will be about 1/2 a gr more to reach the same speeds. I use 9 1/2 gr Unique with a 240 cast bullet in 44 mag...10.2 with Herco. I quite often find Herco cheap even at gun shows. Loads 20/28 ga too

You are a blessed man to say the least.


For drill press holes and no recoil I recommend 4-5 gr. of Red Dot and Matt's Bullets 205 gr. button nose wad cutters.

7.0 grs of 231 , 8.0 grs of Unique or 8.5 grs of Winchester Super Field seems about the same . WSF has been my unique replacement for years , I won't go back . That should make all the unique users happy as there is one less user -- a little more for them . Regards Paul

try trailboss