.41 Mag using AmSelect

[deltazulu334]

Requesting load data for .41 Magnum target loads using AL American Select powder. (I have about 3# leftover from trapshooting.) Alliant data has left out the .41 with AmSel powder. I'm using a cast
215 grain bb SWC and Federal 150 primers. I would like to get between 850 and 900 fps from my M 58-1. Any advice will be much appreciated.

Zeke

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Never used American Select but from the relative powder burn charts I use,it seems to be quite a quick burning type;something like Titegroup.I am temped to say play it safe and rely on manufacturer's recommendation.Those quick burning powders can play nasty tricks to your favorite piece of steel not to mention what they can do to some parts of your own body!Play it safe and enjoy!
Qc

 

[cowboy4evr]

My favorite load using that same weight cast bullet and Bullseye powder is 4.5 grs. According to the burn rate chart on Hodgdons web site bullseye is #13 and am sel is #15. hope this helps.

 

[Nevada Ed]

When Hodgdon does not list a powder for pistol load, it means
that that powder has something that is not right in its makeup
or burn rate for a safe loading or that there are better powders.

They did list Clays, Universal, even Trail Boss.
Alliant does not list e3, its shotgun powder for pistol, so there
has to be a reason.

Stay safe.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Am Sel is made /sold by Alliant not Hodgdon . Alliant lists it for 38 spl , 38 spl +P , 44 spl , 45 LC etc . So it appears it would work in the 41 mag at the level he is requesting .
It cost the factory money to develop load data and they don't always include all calibers even though it may work fine .

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I think you'll have to get creative if you're set on using American Select in the 41Mag.

Even the older Alliant guides, 2000-2004, don't list A-S for that cartridge, but they do for the 44 Spcl. with a 240gr L-SWC (4.7grs @ 800fps = 13K PSI)

The 44 Spcl. has ~6.4% more case capacity than the 41Mag which you could use to establish a starting point for some light target loads. A chrono would be useful too.

Alliant-Hercules Powder Guide 2004.pdf

.

 

[8emem]

Alliant lists 6 gr Bullseye for a 44 Magnum Speer 240 gr cast LSWC at 894 fps. I think this load provides a useful example for what you are trying to do. Since Bullseye and American Select are similar fast burners, I would start at 5 gr for 41 magnum and work up. It might be that somewhere around 5.5 gr would get your desired velocity.

 

[deltazulu334]

Chronograph results

Thanks to all who viewed and/or replied to my post. I wqs recently able to get some range time in order to chronograph some loads that would seem to fit my performance parameters. I used a PACT chronograph with the 'start' screen ten feet from the muzzle of my M-58-1.
Load 1: Precision Cast 215 gn. bbSWC, 5.0 gn. AmSel, Fed 150, Win case. vel. = 790 fps, ES=7.3
Load 2 : PCast 215 gn. bbSWC,5.3 gn. AmSel, etc., vel.= 813 fps, ES= 40
Load 3 : PCast 215 gn., etc., vel.= 875 fps, ES=23

I ran a duplicate series with the same set of components except that a Saeco #412 SWC bullet (190 gn.) home cast from wheelweights was substituted for the commercial cast 215 SWC.

Load 4: 5.0 gn. AmSel. vel.= 795 fps, ES= 11
Load 5: 5.3 gn. AmSel. vel.= 822 fps, ES= 39
Load 6: 6.0 gn. AmSel. vel.= 894 fps, ES= 30.6

I will most likely use Load 3 or Load 6 for my indoor DA practice this winter or until my supply of American Select powder runs out. At that time I'll probably go back to Bullseye making sure that each time I charge cases I visually inspect every case to make sure no double charges get past inspection.
(I use this inspection process for every load which does not fill the case over half-full.) Safety First.

Zeke

 

[LostintheOzone]

Thanks to all who viewed and/or replied to my post. I wqs recently able to get some range time in order to chronograph some loads that would seem to fit my performance parameters. I used a PACT chronograph with the 'start' screen ten feet from the muzzle of my M-58-1.
Load 1: Precision Cast 215 gn. bbSWC, 5.0 gn. AmSel, Fed 150, Win case. vel. = 790 fps, ES=7.3
Load 2 : PCast 215 gn. bbSWC,5.3 gn. AmSel, etc., vel.= 813 fps, ES= 40
Load 3 : PCast 215 gn., etc., vel.= 875 fps, ES=23

I ran a duplicate series with the same set of components except that a Saeco #412 SWC bullet home cast from wheelweights was substituted for the commercial cast 215 SWC.

Load 4: 5.0 gn. AmSel. vel.= 795 fps, ES= 11
Load 5: 5.3 gn. AmSel. vel.= 822 fps, ES= 39
Load 6: 6.0 gn. AmSel. vel.= 894 fps, ES= 30.6

I will most likely use Load 3 or Load 6 for my indoor DA practice this winter or until my supply of American Select powder runs out. At that time I'll probably go back to Bullseye making sure that each time I charge cases I visually inspect every case to make sure no double charges get past inspection.
(I use this inspection process for every load which does not fill the case over half-full.) Safety First.

Zeke

I was going to suggest 5.0 grains to start. You have obviously developed a safe load. I did the same thing with American Select loading for 45 ACP. You may want to reconsider using AS instead of Bullseye as it burns much cleaner and the performance is very close. I think it's a better powder for large caliber pistol loading at 800 fps. It's all I use now for 45 ACP. I know, Bullseye has always been a good powder and it still is. Not trying to rock the boat here.

 

[GavinLee]

I've got a fair supply of American Select and am going to start using it in target loads in .44 and .41 mags. American Select is kind of unique (no pun intended) in that it is the only single base shotgun/handgun powder that I know of. Should maybe burn a little cooler than some of the others (especially TiteGroup).
GavinLee

 

[Rogeronimo]

SOLO 1000 is single base, as is SOLO 1250 (discontinued) and PB (discontinued).

 

[Rogeronimo]

Also, Vihtavuori 20N29 3N37 3N38 N105 N110 N133 N135 N140 N150 N160 N165 N310 N320 N32C N340 N350 are all single base and some would be well suited for the potent .41 magnum.

 

[Rogeronimo]

Lastly, anyone desiring the low flame temperature of single base propellants in a magnum handgun should lean toward IMR4227.

 

[bluetopper]

With American Select, start with a few tenths below a minimum load of Green Dot and work up. You'll be right in the ball park. Not much difference in the two powders only Am. Select is slightly faster. It's a wonderful handgun powder.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Not trying to hijack the thread but I do have a question ? I see that Hodgdons has moved trail boss from the IMR line of powders to their own line . currently only list rifle powders in IMR . 4227 is listed there but not as a pistol powder . Had heard a rumor something about a new line of powders coming called , " Red bottle , green bottle , blue bottle , Unequalled ( or something like that )etc . Anyone have more to add to this ? What are these new powders , what country are they coming from and what is the powder manufacturer . Chris Hodgdons , in an interview about a yr ago said there was some big things coming in the IMR line but stopped there .

 

[GavinLee]

How right you are Rogeronimo! I stand corrected. I would like to try some of the VV powders as I have heard a lot of good about them. Almost bought a # of 3N37 the other day, but decided I needed to weed down some of my other stock first. Thanks for the lesson!
GavinLee

 

[Rogeronimo]

3N38 is all I run in my short barreled 357. It's gentle on my forcing cone, yet still breathes fire like a dragon!

 

[GavinLee]

I see that 3N37 and 3N38 are close on the burn rate chart, just a little faster than Blue dot and AA7. It seems like we are starting to find a lot more loads for VV powders now. I heard nothing but good about them (except that they are a little spendy). Handguns don't eat a lot of powder. Might be a little different in a .300 Weatherby! I'm going to research the VV line and give them a try.
GavinLee