Anyone load for a 3" .41 Magnum?

DR505

DR505

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I've got a 3" Model 657 and am looking for some nice self defense loads. The loads I've worked up (250 grain gas check and a 210 grain XTP) for my 6½" 657 are a bit on the stout side. :D If you have a pet load, I'd like to see it.

I'm thinking of brewing up a load using the either the 210's or 250's and Unique at about 850 fps. One or the other should work well.
 
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I use 10gr of Unique behind a 240gr SWC. It chronos at a bit over 1000 fps in a 8 3/8" barrel. I suspect it would do pretty close to what you want, although you may wish to start at 8gr.
 
^^ What he said. I like Unique for mild rounds; I use 210 grain plated bullets with 9.7 grains of Unique and they chronograph right at 1200 fps out of my 5-1/2" Redhawk. With lighter charges of Unique with your shorter barrel you should be able to find a combination you like.
 
Keep the slow burning powders like 2400 , H-110/W-296 , AA#9 and others for the long barreled guns unless ya like big fireballs.
 
657

I carry a 3" 657 and settled on a cast SWC over Unique, I have worked with magnums since the 70's and settled on Unique for shorter barrel mag's years ago....it is an "old school" powder, but one of my favorites.
 
I used W296 with 210's from 4 5/8" Blackhawks with excellent results. I'm a strong proponent of this powder in magnum apps.

Make sure you have a secure crimp for consistent start pressures. The .41 is an old favorite. It and the .45 Colt were my Dad's pets. I loaded a pile of them for him.

Accurate #7 works well too. It's a bit more versatile than W296/H110.
 
My standard for years has been 7.0 of Unique and a 210-220 cast swc. It works fine in my 4 inch. Try something like that in your 3 and see what you think.
 
Cdog said:
I used W296 with 210's from 4 5/8" Blackhawks with excellent results. I'm a strong proponent of this powder in magnum apps.

Make sure you have a secure crimp for consistent start pressures. The .41 is an old favorite. It and the .45 Colt were my Dad's pets. I loaded a pile of them for him.

Accurate #7 works well too. It's a bit more versatile than W296/H110.
Click to expand...

I like 296 for full-power loads but the OP is looking for reduced loads around 850 fps. The slower powders such as 296/110 are not good for low power loads; they like to be loaded near max.
 
Thanks all...I have buckets of Unique and will give the suggestions here a go.

I use 22 grains of H-110 over a 210 grain XTP in my 6½" 657 Classic Hunter and it pushes them out the door ~1,325 fps. Nice whitetail load, but a bit much for the 3".
 
.41 Magnum Pet Loads

I like 18.0 grains of 2400 pushing a Hornady 210 grain HP through the tube! For home defense I think you'll like it and recoil is like shooting a .38 Spl.
 

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4" 657 MG:
I run 250 gr. SWCGC with 15.3 AA9, CCI 350 (? their MAGNUM LPP), Starline case and get 1080 FPS with around 25 FPS extreme spread.
I would expect a 3" barrel to lose 50 FPS +-.
This load shoots 1.75" @ 25 yds for SIX shots.
 
I guess I am just too old. I prefer the old FBI load in my 38 Special and created a big brother for it in my Model 58. A 230 grain (actually 235 with lube) flat base lead SWC over 7 grains of Unique. Pushes 900+fps and pleasant to shoot. And just like the FBI load in the 38 it does not need expansion to be effective. You can do the same with the 215 cast swc over 7 grains of Unique but I LIKE THE KEITH BULLET.
Chip King
 
I've loaded a lot of powders for a 4" Mtn Gun 657 using 210/215 cast lead. It seems to make little difference in my own accuracy out to 50' as long as I'm around 950-1100fps. "Minute of tangerine" is adequate for my needs.....

but I've got a few new recipes I'll be investigating soon....
 
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