41 Mag shotshells

[shaggist]

Has anyone tried making shotshells for their 41 magnum using Remington SP410 plastic shot wads? The wads fit nicely in the 41 brass and only need to be trimmed to length. A chamfered case could be used to press out an over-shot wad and sealing can be done with a hot glue gun. Starting powder charges could be adapted from the 44 mag loading data. It would be a useful round, and the shotsize could be determined, depending on the game/varmit to be taken.

 

[Andy Griffith]

There are a couple of other things that you can do, but I haven't tried as yet with the .41 Magnum...

If you can get some slightly longer brass- either from .414 Dan Wesson Supermag cases or *I think* .30-30 Winchester trimmed to length and blown out, it is possible to use a "blank forming" die from CH-4D to crimp them like .22 LR shot.

The only problem that I see, is that the .41 Magnum is not on the list- most other handgun cartridges are listed. I'm certain that they'd fix you up if you became interested- I'd be willing to bet that the "5-n-1" dies might work.

Example here:

I want to buy these for .38 Special myself- and use .357 Max brass to make it long enough.

I just learned this last week from another club member. It's amazing the things that you pick up on today- even 20 years ago it would have been impossible to get this much information without the internet.

Also, I wouldn't be spending as much money. Oh well.

 

[ken158]

If you can find some 41 gas checks, you can put them on top of the case. Never done it with a 41 but have with other calibers.

 

[shaggist]

I have been doing some reading since I first posted this idea, and agree that the .414 Supermag brass and the .357 Maximum brass are the way to go. I also want some for the 357, as the CCI Speer shot capsules that are available are limited as to the amount of shot they can hold.

The use of the SP410 shot wads will eliminate the leading problem that I have read about on other sites, in relation to using gas checks as an over-powder and over-shot wads and no protection of the lead shot.

If anyone has any ideas as to where else to obtain the 414 and 357 cases, I would like to know, and would gladly join in a group buy if that would make obtaining them easier and cheaper. I found 414 brass at Starline, costing $124.15 + shipping for 250. Midsouth Shooters lists 357 Max on back order, $59.65+shipping for 250.
About 50 of each would be all I need, so, if we can get several others to commit for like quantities, no one will be out a lot of money.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Plain old writing tablet cardboard backing makes a good wad and case cover when sealed with wax. Just cut wads with an old case. For 357, I find the case size is just right to hold the right amount of lead and powder.

Look here for some ideas:

Snake Loads

Snake Stopper

 

[Jellybean]

I've used the cut down wads only to find they waste a lot of space that can be used to hold more shot. I prefer Wonder Wads used for cap and ball revolvers.

If you use longer brass, ie. 414 SM, with the intent to make it full cylinder length you will need to neck it down to fit the cylinder throat. I used altered .30-30 brass and found that after fireforming and shooting that you can run a carbide .40 S&W sizer down the mouth of the case to the depth of the throat and it will get it close enough to the proper size to chamber for subsequent reloading.

 

[Reloader Fred]

I've done it similar to the way Jellybean does it. I started experimenting with snake loads when I lived in rattlesnake country and would occasionally find one on my front porch early in the morning. The cut down/necked down .30-30 case worked best for me and I just used card wads that I cut with a sharpened case mouth for an over shot wad. I don't remember the loads I worked up, since I haven't messed with them in over 20 years. The smaller the shot, the better. I used #9 shot for all my snake loads in .41 and .38 Special.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[darmtn1917]

One of my favorite subjects (pistol shot shells) - I've never seen the blank die idea mentioned before, great idea. My big thing is use the smallest shot possible for snakes #12 (dust) this is the size in most .22 cal shells and is just that much more effective when used in larger calibers.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm going to order a set of the .38 Special crimp dies from CH4D on Monday. We'll see what happens.

 

[mkk41]

If you can find some 41 gas checks, you can put them on top of the case. Never done it with a 41 but have with other calibers.

That's what I've done. Ya only use like 3grs of Bullseye , seat a gas check , ridge up , over the powder with a piece of dowel , pour shot to the top , and seat another gas check , ridge down , and crimp.

 

[darmtn1917]

Did anyone try the blank crimp die?

 

[Andy Griffith]

I haven't got it yet.

They told me four to six weeks. Anytime now.