4227 in 41 mag cast loads ?'s

[boatbum101]

Recently aquirred a Model 58 shooter . I'm interested in loads with either a 215gr LSWC or the heavier 230gr Keith . I want 1000fps to 1100fps . Pretty sure most everything I've got @ hand is too fast . I do have some 2400 , W296 , H4227 & Universal Clays . I'm thinking 296 is out because it's an all out or nothing powder & probably better suited to full power jacketed loads . 2400 would work but burns cleaner with heavier charges . Universal loads would be pretty close to top of its range . Was wondering about 4227 @ the lower end of it's range & rather it's characteristics would fit ? Any suggestions ?

 

[colt_saa]

296/h110 is not a good choice for lead SWCs

16 grains of 2400 will bring you right around 1200 FPS with the 215.

Never loaded H4227

My standard load for the 212 SWCs that drop from my mold is 8 grains of Unique

 

[Snobal]

4227 is my favorite powder for .41 and .44 mag with cast bullets.

With my chronograph, I've found more difference between lots of either IMR 4227 or H 4227 than between brands.

In .41 Mag, I used bullets cast of wheel-weight lead with about 5% added tin from a RCBS 210 grain SWC mould.

I set the charge weight to get about 1,225 to 1,250 fps. That load will shoot completely through a large mule deer, side-to-side, or end-to-end. Works real good!

Also with the chronograph, I found that the "felt recoil" at 1,225 fps was noticeably less with 4227 than with 2400.

My favorite gunsmith recommended 4227 when if first started reloading and with that powder, leading was never an issue (in my Model 57 S&W's, and Ruger revolvers).

Bagged lots of deer, coyotes, jackrabbits and other stuff with the .41 mag.

JMHO - YRMV

 

[Biggfoot44]

Ok , this is a reserection, but I was impressed enough with BoatBum's recent extensive load test threads that I searched some of older threads.

I have found good news (to me) regarding 4227 and .41 Mag. With any suitable cast bullet in 210-225gr range , 95% - ish Load Density of 4227 and WLP primers gave 1.25in or smaller groups at 25yd. These met my requirements , and did not further tweak. I used 6.5in Blackhawk(s), and did not chrono. Unknown if these will fall below 1100 from a M58.

As long as on the .41 theme , for "light" load. Same flavors of bullets , fine tune between 7.0-7.3gr of 231 . Red Dot also showed promise , but didn't do as much work with it.

My #1 handloading partner is a True Believer in .41 Mag as THE big bore revolver cal , and has worked up loads covering the whole spectrum of its capability. While I Like the .41 , it is more of a niche cal for me. A good cast bullet hunting load with less recoil than a .44Mag , and a "light" load that is pleasant to shoot , yet more thump than any .38 , and I declared victory.

 

[ironhead7544]

The 4227 powders are good to go for the Magnum pistol rounds. Seems to lead a lot less with cast and also put less wear on revolvers.

Just would work up a load that fits your specs.

296 is also good but needs full loads to work right.

IMR4227, WW296, 2400 and AA#9 all make good Magnum loads. One of them will come out the best by a slight margin. Your M58 will tell you what it likes best. For lighter loads I used WW231.

AA#9 does burn cleaner than the others for heavy loads. It doesnt cause any problems with the extractor on S&W revolvers, if that makes a difference.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have a jug of IMR 4227 that I am trying to get rid of.......

In my J frame snub it got a 158 lead up to 571, but the
cylinder jammed due to powder flakes under the ejection plate.

A full load with a 6" barrel got the 158 swc up to 888 fps with pretty good accuracy.


A light load in a 6" 686 L frame got a 158 Lwc up to 976 fps and at 15 feet put 6 @ .63". ( chrony work )

It should do well as a light target load, even though it will take
around twice as much powder, than if you used a fast ot medium fast powder.

Tight groups.

 

[DWalt]

4227 (IMR or H) is a pretty good choice for any handgun magnum caliber, .357, .41, and .44, but the load should be on the heavy side to get more complete propellant burning. It's also a very good choice for lead bullet loads in many CF rifle calibers. One of my best loads in .308 Win is 25 grains of IMR 4227 and a 170 grain cast .30 bullet with gas check. It shoots about as good a group at 100 yards as any jacketed bullet will. Also works well in .30 Carbine.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have a photo and a post named .41mag, (how creative!) down about pg 3, showing results of a 215 gr swc, gas check, with 18.3 grains of 2400. I no longer own the gun or Lyman mold. A young friend has it. Take a look at the photo, do your homework and work up your own load. This one worked for me many years ago.