Heavy Duty ELK loads for .41 Magnum

[CelticArmor]

I have a S&W PC Magnum Hunter - see attachment (6" Mag-na-ported barrel/unfluted cylinder). Been shooting, reloading and handgun hunting white tail for over 30 year. Moving from my normal comfort zone. I am one year out from a Colorado Elk Hunt. I will carry the PC in a chest rig most of the time with 2 speedloaders on my belt. I have several excellent bullets to work with. Recently saw the specs on the Hornady Factory load for the 210 gr XTP (which I have several boxes of) loaded to 1545 fps with over 1100 ft lbs of energy. I WANT! Can't find them in stock anywhere!!! Would like to AT LEAST be able to duplicate that load for practice, distance shooting, etc. but may have to just carry my own loads. Anyone have anything approaching this load to suggest. I will obviously carefully work up to this, but need at least a starting point. Many thanks and safe shooting!

 

[44specialfan]

Sir ... Just FYI, a shop in Myrtle Beach currently has 8 what appears to be boxes of the Hornady you mentioned listed for sale on one of the national auction sites. Good luck in your search!

 

[dave1918a2]

My hunting load is 18.5 H110 and a 250 gr LBT LFN. Long flat nose. Also in the same gun as Yours. Just flattens Elk and Mule deer.

 

[oink]

I'm not into .41 Mag but I do like the gun and grips.

 

[BigMuddy]

I’ve never gotten that kind of velocity in my 41’s unless I’m using 170 grain bullets and a near max load of H110.

Dan

 

[crstrode]

What, exactly, constitutes a "heavy duty ELK"?

 

[gfors]

Just remember CO requires 550 ft lbs at 50 yards, to legally carry a handgun while hunting big game (even if it’s a “ backup” or SD gun).

 

[Cdog]

Best chance I see is W296/H110, magnum large pistol pistol primer.

Notice their test data is from a 10" tube.

Weather and time permitting, I have a 4 5/8" Blackhawk that I may chronograph later today.

 

[SuperMan]

Have been shooting the .41 for a long time...the 210 XTP is probably the best bullet for big game that there is...

22-23 grains of H110 is what I use for most 210 jacketed bullets. Use a Magnum or the Winchester LP Primer with a heavy crimp...

I'll try and find the chronograph velocities...

...and just because Hornady says their load is going 1545, exactly what gun are they using...a 10" TC Contender? 210 with H110 should be mid-1400 from a 6" barrel...

Bob

 

[SuperMan]

Went and looked in my book...

210 Hornady with 23 grain of H110:

S&W 57 4": 1250 fps

S&W 57 6": 1350 fps

Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8": 1355 fps

TC Contender 14": 1820 fps

Marlin 1894S 20": 1850


Would suggest starting at 21 grains and work up a 1/2 grain at a time... I went to 24 grains which showed some pressure signs in my guns and only a few feet per second velocity gain so I standardized at 23 grains.

26.0 grains of H110 with a 170 Sierra is my favorite high speed hunting round...1536 from a 5.5" Redhawk, 1875 from a 10" TC and 1980 from a 14"...

Good luck...Bob

 

[Beruisis]

Nice pistoli!
Can I ask who made those grips?
Beruisis

 

[waffles]

Just remember CO requires 550 ft lbs at 50 yards, to legally carry a handgun while hunting big game (even if it’s a “ backup” or SD gun).

Thankfully this is not the case. The 550/50 requirement is for if you're using it to put down animals when legal, CPW confirmed there are no requirements other than general Colorado legality for what defensive arm you can carry where hunting.

I visited with Bob Thompson, our Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement, about the question. Bob’s guidance is pretty clear on the proper use of the handgun in the field. The paragraphs below summarize the issue. Bottom line is the first sentence. There is no “backup handgun” for hunting big game, the manner of take allowed is what is prescribed for the season and the license.

There is no such thing as a back-up sidearm during hunting season. You may carry a handgun with you during the act of hunting for personal protection but that is the purpose. There is no specific requirement for a legal handgun for personal protection (barrel length or caliber)except that it is in legal possession of the person under Colorado Law.

The use of a handgun to “put an animal down” would only fall into use during a rifle season and then the handgun must be in accordance with a legal method of take and meet the criteria listed in the Big Game Brochure, i.e. At a minimum, it must have a four-inch barrel, fire an expanding bullet of .24 caliber (6 mm) or larger and use a load that produces a minimum 550 ft. pounds of energy at 50 yards. Shoulder stocks or other attachments are prohibited.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife -
Lesson 3

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

19.5 GRS OF VV N110 WITH THE 210GR XTP IS AN AWESOME 41 LOAD. I'VE BEEN USING IT FOR YEARS IN A 3" 657. I'VE CARRIED IT WHILE HUNTING IN WY. JUST OUTSIDE THE EAST GATE OF YELLOWSTONE. I HAVE SHOOT SEVERAL LARGE BODY MULE DEER WITH IT. LOTS OF POWER. BUT YET RELATIVELY EASY TO SHOOT. THE NOSLER 210GR JHP IS GREAT ALSO WITH THE SAME LOAD. JP

 

[oddshooter]

HEY PPCSHOOTER

any idea what your velocity is with that n110?

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

1420 FROM MY 3 INCH. IF MY MEMORY SERVERS ME CORRECTLY. JP

 

[Nevada Ed]

Hornady does not list that 210 gr. XTP for Elk.........
it does list it's 44 Magnum bullet for Elk.

That 1100 ft/lbs of energy is at the muzzle.
At 25 yards it drops to 995 and at 50 yds the ME is at just 891 ft/lbs.

If the temperature drops to 32 degress, that 50 yard energy becomes only 798 ft/lbs, to drop a Elk.

It might be doable, but the odds of loosing a Elk to poor placement or body damage, does increase with the minimum energys.

Good luck on your idea but a good hunter want to make a clean kill over
loosing game, any day.

 

[CelticArmor]

COLORADO Requirements

Just remember CO requires 550 ft lbs at 50 yards, to legally carry a handgun while hunting big game (even if it’s a “ backup” or SD gun).

Based on already known loads they approved the .41 with an "expanding" bullet, either JHP, JSP or SWC or similar that will mushroom. I am just trying for even more oomph!

 

[CelticArmor]

Understood

I certainly understand. Placement and closer distance is a given. I do not intend to use the pistol for my Primary weapon for hunting Elk, BUT it would have to be "legal" to hunt with even to finish one off. Just trying to cover all my bases.

 

[CelticArmor]

170

I have used the 170 grain from this pistol AND from my Desert Eagle for white tail with devastating results. Longest shot to date was 75 yards. All just dropped. Honesty didn't know about a bullet that light on Elk. Leaning toward the big heavies as fast as I can school of thought. Should start doing load development in a week or so. Will post progress.

 

[CelticArmor]

Definition

I guess the next one I see <WEG>.