Favorite .41 mag loads

[336A]

As I sit here anxiously awaiting the arrival of my H&G #258 .41 Keith bullets, I was wondering what evryones favorite loads are in this grand cartridge. For a economic all around load I've found that 8.5gr of Unique and a 215gr SWC perform really well in my BH. I may even back that load down 8gr as I found my revolver shoots that just as well too.

When my Keith bullets get here I plan on working up a full power hunting load with 2400. So what do the rest of you .41 fanatics like to shoot?

 

[Erich]

I'll play:

.41 Magnum:

12.0 grains of Blue Dot, Remington cases, CCI large magnum primer, 215-gr TVB LSWC, firm roll crimp - nice load that shoots in the low/mid-1200 -fps-range from a 4" tube, shoots like a laser. After the "ZOMG! Sky is Falling!" warnings Alliant put out a couple years ago, I called and spoke to a fellow there. I told him of this load and he said, "That's acceptable." He also allowed that they'd be putting out new load data soon - I don't know that it's happened. So, whatever you do, on your own head be it.

9.2 grains of Unique, Remington cases, CCI large magnum primer, 215-gr LSWC hardcasts of any type, moderate roll crimp - my longtime all-the-time .41 Mag load. Gives mid-1100-fps-range velocities from a 4" gun, and is very accurate (Hey, it's a .41!

)

7.5 gr 7625, Remington cases, CCI large standard primer, 215-gr TVB LSWC hardcasts, moderate roll crimp - new load I'm finding is very pleasant. Throws the bullets at just over 1k fps from a the 4" barrel, with deviations less than 15 fps. Another (yawn) laser from the .41.

This would be the handload that I would use in the gun for "social work" - if I ever keep the gun around the house loaded for Gina to use, this is what's going in it.

6.5 grains Trail Boss, CCI cases, CCI large standard primer, any 215-gr LSWCs, moderate roll crimp - POWDER PUFF for the .41! Gina loved shooting this. I would note that it was one of the least accurate .41 loads I've ever rolled, but that just means that it shot like a .45 Glock so it's no problem. Velocities around 860 fps from the 4" gun, deviation around 15 fps.

 

[rkrcpa]

 

[kennyb]

i too love 41 mag.as of late between 7.0 & 10.5 gr.of unique lg.pistol primer for the 215gr swc
i have a number of loads for this caliber but the unique and been pleasing as of late

 

[Erich]

Barrel length would be of interest there, rkrcpa.

 

[jubela#4]

7.5 grains of Unique and a 210 grain SWC is the load I usually use. Shoots great.

 

[336A]

rkrcpa, is it normal for 2400 to post such large extreme spreads?

 

[Erich]

Looks like it was only one bad round.

 

[max]

7.0 of Unique and a cast swc works just fine for me.

 

[rkrcpa]

Barrel length would be of interest there, rkrcpa.

Those are velocities from a 7 1/2" barrel. And yes, it was just one bad shot as far as the velocity variation goes.

I'm somewhat surprised by the velocities, I have notes from 1995 that show 1500fps and SD of 20 with slightly more 2400 and CCI magnum primers. In fact, my records show a 275gr bullet at 1260fps and SD of 12 with 16.5grs. of 2400 and magnum primers. It's hard to believe the primers would make that big a difference. Maybe I need to do a little side by side comparison and see what I find.

 

[Davwingman]

10.5 gr. 800X & a 210-215 gr. cast SWC.

 

[m657]

I like the 210-215 cast loads flung downrange in the 950-1200fps recipe range. Don't care for Unique, prefer Titegroup/Clays/HP38 etc.

It's all good stuff really.

 

[M29since14]

It's hard to believe the primers would make that big a difference. Maybe I need to do a little side by side comparison and see what I find.

In my experience, they can make a big difference with Nr. 2400. Get a box of Federal 150s and compare them against Winchesters.

I use 19.0 in my .41s, which I have found tends to have just a tiny bit better uniformity than charges 1/2- or 1-gr less. Winchester brass and F150s. Bullets sized to .410". In every M57 I have used this load in, it will usually tear a ragged hole at 25-yards - IF you can keep your nerves under control when you see those first two or three flying into the same hole, or real close together. It is a shame that load is a little too mean for me to enjoy shooting very much, but I sure admire the results when I do my part.

For indoor target loads, I have used a lot of different powders including Unique, 231, Universal, 800X, and WSF. I have used more Unique than the others, but am not happy with any of them. Next on the list to try is AA5. I generally shoot 7-rounds over the chronograph. I am still looking for some combination that consistently shows less than 50 FPS extreme spread, with muzzle velocity around 900 FPS or a bit more, not prone to leading, and shoots accurately. The closest so far has been 7.0 grs 231, which gives just a bit over 900 FPS, normally comes in under the 50 FPS ES requirement, and is accurate, but leading is a bit of a problem, whereas the 2400 load leads comparatively little.

 

[Accobradave]

All you guys shooting Unique. 7-9 grains....how is that load as far as a woman shooting?

 

[arjay]

The recoil feels the same as a 1911 to me.

 

[mkk41]

I read your other post , and my favorite bullet too is the Lyman #410459. I have a friend who casts them for me. I get him wheelweights from friends who own or work in garages , and linotype from a former employer. He gives me back 1/4 the weight in hardcast , sized and lubed bullets. As I have posted many times before , all SWCs are not created equal. The #410459 bullet and other true "Keith-style' bullets have a lot of the mass in that big nose and a relatively short 'shank' , which leaves lots of room for more powder in the case. Exactly why Elmer designed it this way. This is where many people run into trouble. If you use data for this bullet , and substitute any other 210-215gr bullet , which has a longer shank , (more bullet in the case = less powder space) , you run a distinct possiblity of a compressed load and dangerously high pressure.

Good example , the Lyman cast bullet handbook listed a max of 16gr of Blue Dot (my standard load) with the 220gr #410459 , but a max of 14.6 with the 215gr #410610 , which has the longer shank (comparible with the 215gr bevel base SWC sold by many casters) and seats deeper in the case leaving less capacity.

I know many loaders simply look for the max listed charge for a given weight of bullet , without regards to the actual bullet design, or case capacity with bullet fully seated. I have heard this is why Alliant has put out a warning about Blue Dot in .41 mag.

But I like Blue Dot in all my magnum revolver loads. Been using it for 25yrs. Works great in shorter barrels too , better than H-110/W-296. More complete burn and less fireball. Big fireball is an impressive site , but it's powder burning outside the barrel.

 

[rkrcpa]

As I have posted many times before , all SWCs are not created equal. The #410459 bullet and other true "Keith-style' bullets have a lot of the mass in that big nose and a relatively short 'shank' , which leaves lots of room for more powder in the case. Exactly why Elmer designed it this way. This is where many people run into trouble. If you use data for this bullet , and substitute any other 210-215gr bullet , which has a longer shank , (more bullet in the case = less powder space) , you run a distinct possiblity of a compressed load and dangerously high pressure.

I agree, many people (even bullet manufacturers) think any SWC is a "Keith" bullet.

Here is a (L-R) LBT 250gr WFNGC, 220gr H&G 258 Keith, standard 215gr. SWC and a 170gr FP. It is easy to see the differences in profile and shank length. If you were to use the 20gr max load of 2400 for the 410459 with the standard 215gr SWC I can see bad things happening.

 

[mkk41]

Thanks for the great pic! Those two in the middle shows the difference perfectly. Some slow powders like H110/W296 work best with a slightly compressed charge. But that is more than a little. Substitute a slightly faster powder like B-D and things get hairy quick. I've been using 15-16gr with the Lyman 410459 for many years with no high pressure signs. Then one day I tried the RCBS 41-210 with 15grs B-D and got immediate high pressure signs,.

 

[336A]

Great photo comparing the different bullets. Something that I don't understand is why commercial casters don't make true Keith bullets but opt for the SWCBB style instead. Keith perfected the SWC design years ago. They carry most of the weight outside the case leaving more room for powder yet still operating at modest pressure, have a meplet 67%-70% of the bullet diameter, a deep crimp groove, and three equal full diameter and full width driving bands, and a large flat bottom grease groove for lots of lube. His bullets truly are an all around bullet, so why have manufacturers settled for bullets of inferior design?

 

[rkrcpa]

Great photo comparing the different bullets. Something that I don't understand is why commercial casters don't make true Keith bullets but opt for the SWCBB style instead. Keith perfected the SWC design years ago. They carry most of the weight outside the case leaving more room for powder yet still operating at modest pressure, have a meplet 67%-70% of the bullet diameter, a deep crimp groove, and three equal full diameter and full width driving bands, and a large flat bottom grease groove for lots of lube. His bullets truly are an all around bullet, so why have manufacturers settled for bullets of inferior design?

I've wondered that myself. I've heard that the bevel base and rounded lube groove drops easier from a mold, I can see that being a concern for high production. As far as the crimp groove placement and nose length, my Lyman 46th has a caution regarding the OAL for the 410459 exceeding SAAMI OAL of 1.59". The 215gr SWC OAL is within SAAMI guidelines. I assume there must be some revolvers out there that won't accept the longer bullet.