41 Magnum Load

[jj2am44]

I need a good load for my new-to me-Model 57 in 4 inch. I have been using Remington primers-Unique powder-sometimes Bullseye. I plan on using a 210-215 grain hard cast bullet. Any suggestions for a good target load?

 

[ACP230]

I use enough Unique to get about 1,000 fps out of my M57s and M657s. Most manuals should show you the way there.

That's close to the old Remington "Police" load and has always shown good accuracy in my guns.

I used this load for bowling pins, and later in steel plate matches.
Also for plinking and some small game hunting.

 

[NE450No2]

For a Target load I would start with 4gr of Bullseye, and consider 5.5 max

With Unique I would start with 7gr, and consider10 gr max.

Start on the low end, and work up, till you get the accuracy/ recoil you like...

 

[Steve C]

215gr LSWC from True-Cast on top of 9.5grs of Unique does 1,157 fps from my S&W 4" 659 mountain pistol. Its a very accurate load as you can see from 2-1/4" group on the target below that was shot at 25 yds from a Ruger 4-5/8".

 

[max]

7.0 of Unique and a cast bullet is my standard.

 

[m657]

I've experimented with a variety of recipes.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like nearly any powder/boolit @around 1000 fps is pleasant and accurate enough for range work.

Haven't taken my 41 mags afield though.

 

[M29since14]

...I plan on using a 210-215 grain hard cast bullet. Any suggestions for a good target load?

If you are going to use a low-pressure Unique load, better keep your bullets a bit on the soft side. You may have leading problems if you use "hard" cast bullets at 900-1000 FPS or so. That usually goes away with a stout charge of 2400, but that load is not a "target" load, as I think of it anyway.

I used to use 7.0 Unique in the .41 Magnum for indoor target shooting with the 220 gr. Keith pattern bullet from H&G molds. It always shot reasonably well, but I did not find it terribly uniform. I changed to 231, and wasn't particularly happy with it, either, so I tried some other powders I thought might be more satisfactory in light loads, - Bullseye, 700X, and Red Dot. My experience was they were all about the same (70-100 FPS of extreme spread, depending on the primer). If that doesn't bother you, Unique should be as good as any. I never did find a nice, mild load for the .41 (or 44, for that matter) with the kind of ES I like to see in the magnums.

 

[Roadranger]

I just loaded 100 rounds of 41 Magnum with the Lyman 410459 bullet and 8 gr. of Unique. Very accurate and quite pleasant to shoot. As was previously stated, Unique maxs out at around 10 grains and between 7 and 9 grains is doable, particularly in a M57. My next batch was with 9.5 grAA5, as I was out of Unique and had an unopened 8# jug of #5, but that's another tale. Bob!!

 

[336A]

I use 8.5gr of Unique with a 215gr SWC. It makes for a good general pupose load and is very accurate from my 4 5/8" BH.

 

[Reddog]

I like 7.5 gr. of Unique with a home cast (ww and 2% tin) 220 gr. RCBS SW for an everyday, accurate load in my 6" 57.
Dick

 

[sheriffoconee]

I like the same assortment of Unique loads listed above, and have reached similar results as already posted.....so I won't rehash those
I bought two big jugs of military surplus 10B101 powder....and my 41 loads really started to shine....
Here are the two loads I worked up for the 10B101

WW cases WLP 215 grn SWC boolit
Redhawk...11.5 sooted the outer 1/4 of the cases, accuracy was so so against my steel target
13grns all bullets struck steel at same place, not much unburned powder, no soot on cases

Model 58... 11.5 no soot, some unburned powder, POI was right on with fixed sights, feels just a
bit milder than "police loads"....I like this load in my 58
13 grns...felt like police load, similar accuracy....not as much unburned powder.
All ejected empties fine, just fell out of the revolvers, primers look good...
My Uniflo measure seems to like this stuff.(using the rifle rotor)..(weights) were very consistent-

 

[MKT]

I found I really like these two loads I lucked upon a couple years ago, 4.9 gr Clays and 9.0 gr SR4756. Both pushing a home cast 215 gr RCBS SWC. Easy shooting and fairly accurate.

The max listed load for Clays is 5.2 gr IIRC. I found load data for SR4756 in an old Speer #9. 10 or 10.5 was listed as the max load, I'll work up to that one day, for now I am content shooting these powder puffs for fun.

Both groups were shot two hand standing, no support at 25 yards.

Runs about 895 FPS avg from my 4" 57.

Run about 990 FPS avg from my 4" 57.

I made about 150 of each tonight as I have a week of leave coming up soon. I expect I'll get to the range a couple times since I'm not going anywhere.

 

[fredj338]

PUt me down for 7.5gr-8gr of Unique under a 210-220gr LSWC for most of my shooting. Unique & lead bullets just works.

 

[ISOM]

Loading a .41 Magnum

My long time load for 210/220 bullets is 17.5 grains of 2400.
or 9.0 grains of UNIQUE.
I also load 5.0 grains of UNIQUE for PPC.

 

[336A]

I'm going to have to work up to that 17.5gr 2400 load Isom. I notice a lot of folks here highly recommend it with a 215gr SWC. I'm betting that it's a thumper too.

 

[M29since14]

Both groups were shot two hand standing, no support at 25 yards.

Runs about 895 FPS avg from my 4" 57.

Just once in my life I would like to shoot that well!

I used to come close, but invariably I would get to looking at the target, not at my sights, and would poke a shot out at 9 o'clock, just to prove I could ruin an otherwise beautiful target. Well, anyway, good for you.

I have your Clays load written down and hope to give it a try soon. That's pretty impressive!