Favorite .41 mag loads

[rkrcpa]

BTW, there was a recent article in "Handguns" magazine regarding "Keith" bullets and every bullet shown in the article was a SWCBB design. I'm sure Elmer is rolling over in his grave. It was enough to convince me to never buy that magazine.

 

[ACP230]

My loads are in the range quoted. My youngest son was shooting them
in competition at 12. His sister is small with small hands but she, and
her college roommate made quite a dent in my .41 reload supply shooting
my M657 one afternoon. Both guns had Pachmayr "Gripper" grips installed. That helped some, I believe.

 

[mkk41]

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?

That long nose Keith-style bullet , with a suggested loaded OAL of 1.700" won't fit in some .41mag revolvers. It's real close in my S&Ws or Ruger Blackhawks , but supposedly too long for a Taurus.

 

[keithherrington]

My favorite everyday loads

6.2 grains of Win 231 under a 215 lead SWC
6.6 grains of Win 231 under a Hornady 210 XTP

Both pleasant to shoot with good terminal performance.

 

[336A]

mkk41 that is true of the Taurus tracker series as they use shorter cylinders for those models, but of little consequence in S&W, Ruger, & full sized Taurus revolvers. Regardless of that however Elmers bullets have become the standard by which all others are judged.

 

[66TAS]

I shoot a Missouri Bullets 210 grain SWCBB over 16.5 grains of AA #9( and a Winchester large pistol primer(marked for standard or mag loads). I just chronographed it this afternoon, 1328 fps average. I up the charge to 17 grains for a 210 grain Hornady XTP for the same speed as a hunting round.

 

[BruceM]

This has proved to be a powerful and extremely accurate load in a couple of M57's I'm acquainted with:

Remington case
Winchester LP primer
Lyman 410549 cast 3:2 wheelweights:linotype
21.7 grains H110

Bruce

 

[336A]

I shoot a Missouri Bullets 210 grain SWCBB over 16.5 grains of AA #( and a Winchester large pistol primer(marked for standard or mag loads). I just chronographed it this afternoon, 1328 fps average. I up the charge to 17 grains for a 210 grain Hornady XTP for the same speed as a hunting round.

Wha is the barrel length of your revolver?

 

[Lubbock Louie]

I shoot a Missouri Bullets 210 grain SWCBB over 16.5 grains of AA #( and a Winchester large pistol primer(marked for standard or mag loads). I just chronographed it this afternoon, 1328 fps average. I up the charge to 17 grains for a 210 grain Hornady XTP for the same speed as a hunting round.

AA # ???

Thanks for the post.

Cary/LL

 

[66TAS]

Wha is the barrel length of your revolver?

5 1/2" Ruger Bisley Blackhawk

 

[66TAS]

AA # ???

Thanks for the post.

Cary/LL

Ooops....AA#9

 

[336A]

Yippee my Montana Bullets #258 .41Keith bullets arrived today. I'm going to work up to 19gr of 2400 and see how they do. I really wish that there was more data available for this bullet. It is amazing how little case capacity this bullet takes up compared to other bullets.

 

[427mach1]

Just worked up some loadings using 8.7, 9.0, 9.4, and 9.7 grains of Unique behind Berry's 210 grain plated bullets. My Redhawk seemed to like 9.4 and 9.7 best, so I'm going go go with 9.7. They should shoot around 1100 - 1150 fps per Alliant; I'll be chronographing them on a camping/shooting/fishing outing we have planned in mid April. These are very mild, pleasant shooting rounds.

For full-power loads, I use 265 grain Cast Performance LWFNGC in front of 21.2 grains of 'Lil Gun. This combination chronographed at 1330 fps from my 6-1/2" Blackhawk. I'll measure the speed out of my Redhawk in April, too. These are neither mild nor pleasant shooting rounds.

 

[sixshot]

My everyday load in the 41 maggie is 8 grs of Unique & a 230 gr Keith slug from an old Saeco #411 mould, very hard to find! My serious hunting load is the same bullet & 17 grs of 2400, not a maximum load but I've taken deer, elk, bear & hogs with it with complete penetration.
The square lube groove isn't as important as it used to be, back in the old days many of the lubes being used were much inferior to what we have today. Actually today you can use to much lube & sometimes end up with less accuracy. The first driving band is important, its the one that takes all the initial force when it travels through the forcing cone into the rifling, so its important that it be kept as Elmer (The Prophet) designed it.
I also use a 250 gr LBT WFN slug with 9.2 grs of Unique, again not a max load but runs over 1100 fps in my Bisley & Its taken out both shoulders on elk & exited.

Dick

 

[336A]

Hi sixshot glad to see you posting here. I love reading about your handgunning exploits as well as looking at the great pics that accompany the fantastic narratives. Please keep sharing with us.

 

[HotBrass]

Try the Montana Bullet works LBT 220 gr. WFN gas checked bullet in front of 17.0 grs. of 2400 in a Starline case and a Rem. 2 1/2 primer.Velocity is right around 1150 FPS from my 657 7.5" gun.Pretty mild to shoot and is spooky accurate.

It will penetrate over 27.5 " of water in milk jugs.What's not to like ??

 

[SuperMan]

8.0 grains of Unique with any 200-230 grain cast or jacketed bullet gets 925-975 fps from a 4" barrel. It is also one hole accurate....

Besides the Taurus, the Freedom Arms 97 will not take Keith bullets crimped in the proper groove.

Another favorite combination for a mid-range load is 12-13 grains of SR4756. This gives 1250+- fps depending on the bullet used.

For full power loads H110 is the one for me. Just fill the case till the bullet just sits on top of the powder so it won't move and crimp heavily in place. Works with everything from the 170 Sierra JHC to the 300 grain SSK and LBT designs.

1980 vintage M57. Target is 6 shots offhand DA at 25 yards with a hardcast Keith SWC/8.0 Unique that weighed 211 grains from Linotype metal. The one outside the group was the 4th shot and was my fault not the guns.

1999 Mountain Gun. Target shot at 50' DA. Blank silhouette target. The one outside the group was the first round and the aiming point for the other 5. Berry's plated 210/8.0 Unique.

657 6". 6 rounds SA sitting at 50 yards. 300 grain LBT/19.0 H110. The first round went just over the plate with a center hold. Dropped down to a 6 0'clock hold for the next 5.

Three different 300 grain .41s....

657 6". 6 rounds DA offhand at 20 yards. 230 Leadhead Bullet Co. Keith/8.0 Unique...(target says 9.0 but it was 8)

Bob

 

[GF1]

My favorite combination, one I settled on over 20 years ago, is 17 gr/2400, std primer, 215 gr hard cast SWC, firm roll crimp, brass trimmed to same length. Substitute a 210 gr jacketed bullet, add .5 gr, the rest is the same.

These are tremendous loads in all three of my M57-2s. I tried slightly more powder, found I got more pressure than I liked in these guns.

2400 is an agreeable powder to get along with. It lights easier, by far, than ball powders, hence the standard primers. It has always been superb for accuracy.

As others above have noted, mid-range mild charges of Unique produce very accurate loads as well, but as I've gotten older I much prefer one load and learn it well (I count the jacketed and cast bullets as one load, as they print to the same POI at 50 yards). If I want a gun to shoot bullseyes and nothing else, pretty hard to beat a .45 match gun, or a Model 41 .22. These .41 Magnum guns are built for power, however, and that's how I load them.

 

[336A]

I finally got to the range today to try out my 220gr Montana Bullet Works bullets. I had 5 rounds each with 18.5gr and 19.0gr of 2400. The 18.5gr load was pretty stout to say the least, the 19.0gr load was more of a WHOA MOMMA. Recoil with that load is all I ever care to endure to be sure. Both loads were very accurate at 10yd considering my meager skill, the 19.0gr charge was a bit tighter but not much cases ejected with ease and there was no signs of excessive pressure. I plan on sticking with the 18.5gr load however as it and my 8.5gr Unique share the same point of impact. The 19.0gr load was about an inch or so below point of aim.

I also experimented by shooting some 215gr SWC bullets with 8.5gr of Unique with out LLA being applied. I had more leading than I expected so I'm going to continue lubing my commercial cast bullets with the stuff. I also have some 230gr Keith bullets on the way from Dry Creek can't wait to give them a whirl next I'm not planning running those to full throtle however. I'm going to see how they like 8.0gr - 8.5gr of Unique.

 

[Two_Gun]

41 Mag 800-900 FPS Loads

I just bought a new SW M-58 4''. I am looking for a good accurate load in the 800-900 FPS range with a 200-210 lead and/or JSP bullet. I have used H-110 in hot loads w/ another 41 but prefer a slow heavy bullet for personal/home defense protection.

Anyone know a good starting load ?