.41 Action Express...need help

[ncy54]

Just bought a used Tanfoglio IPSC pistol with two top ends: .40 S&W and .41 AE. I'm looking for the following:
1. Load info, including suggested powders, bullet weights (I know that they use a .40 caliber bullet), and possible OAL with some specific bullets.
2. Anyone who is willing to part with some used .41 AE brass for less than an arm and a leg.
I reload extensively for both handgun and rifle, including .40 S&W and 9mm, which, from my research, the .41 AE is a mix (9mm base with a .40 case diameter), so I have the hardware to load this. The books, however, generally don't have much information.
As an aside, it appears that with the purchase a 9mm barrel and magazine from EAA, I should be able to convert this pistol to a 9mm as well, using the .41 AE slide, which has a 9mm breach face.
Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[Reloader Fred]

First of all, the .41 AE uses a .41 caliber bullet, normally either a 170 grain or 200 grain. I have factory ammunition with both bullet weights.

The Tanfoglio dual caliber set normally came in 9mm/.41 AE, and was imported by FIE, before EAA took over importation of the Tanfoglio line of handguns.

You can use .40 S&W loading data, and in quite a few manuals the data is listed for both, with the same bullet weight. Perhaps that's where the confusion concerning the bullets came from?

I've seen .41 AE factory ammunition listed for between $75.00 and $100.00 per box. The last run of it was made by IMI about 8 or 9 years ago, and the last run of brass was made by them about 6 years ago. I tried to get Dan Scharch, the owner of Top Brass, to make it, and he was interested, but can't keep up with the demand for his other calibers, so can't really attempt a new caliber. I also talked to Starline, but they weren't interested at all.

When IMI made the last run of .41 AE brass, I bought some. It was a relatively small run of brass, so there isn't a lot of it out there. Speer stopped making it about 20 years ago and when I talked to them they said they had no plans at all for ever making it again and thought the dies had been sold or destroyed.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Reloader Fred]

I forgot to mention that you can't load the .41 AE with .40 S&W dies. You'll need .41 AE dies, if you can locate some brass or ammunition for less than that arm and a leg.............. The only thing you mentioned that will work with the .41 AE is the 9mm shell holder.

And yes, a small frame (older model) Witness 9mm barrel will convert this pistol to 9x19 caliber.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Eagle Guns]

I forgot to mention that you can't load the .41 AE with .40 S&W dies. You'll need .41 AE dies, if you can locate some brass or ammunition for less than that arm and a leg.............. The only thing you mentioned that will work with the .41 AE is the 9mm shell holder.

And yes, a small frame (older model) Witness 9mm barrel will convert this pistol to 9x19 caliber.

Hope this helps.

Fred

you use 41 mag. dies for reloading .41AE with 9mm shell holder.

 

[Reloader Fred]

"you use 41 mag. dies for reloading .41AE with 9mm shell holder. "


You can use .41 Magnum dies to load .41 AE, but I prefer the actual .41 AE dies for the proper taper crimp.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ncy54]

Thanks to all that replied. I wondered about that pesky .001" in bullet diameter as listed in the specs. Found some info in an old Sierra handgun reloading manual as well. It's beginning to look like the .41 barrel will become a paperweight, as the cost of brass is out of sight (a buy now price of $175. for 250 used cases on GunBroker). Also, with the issues concerning dies and bullets, it will be easier and cheaper to set up a 9mm conversion using the slide.

 

[Reloader Fred]

Actually, it's .010" difference in bullet diameter, not .001". Gotta get those zeros in the right place.............

If I could get those prices for my virgin brass, I'd sell it all! My factory ammunition must be worth a new truck, too.........

You should be able to pick up a 9mm barrel for around $100.00 to $150.00, depending on the source and whether it's new or not. I had an extra match 9mm barrel, but I reamed it to 357 Sig.

You might try Reed's Ammo for the barrel. If he has one, it will be cheaper than buying direct from EAA, the importer.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ncy54]

Thanks for the info on Reed's Ammo. I'll give them a try before I check with EAA. Also, thanks for correcting the decimal error. I know how even .001" can affect accuracy in my BE .45's and .32's, so ten times that would be no fun at all.

 

[matsu]

I guess the 1,000 rounds of factory .41 action express 200gr is now worth sothing