Wondering About .41 Special (?)

[Jack Flash]

From time to time I read something posted about .41 Special loads. I always assumed this is some sort of inside joke or something someone whipped up as a novelty.

I can certainly see the value in making a downloaded version of the .41 Mag, but does someone actually make shortened .41 Special cases?

 

[kscardsfan]

I thought someone like starline was making up .41 special brass, but I might have just imagined it. Isn't the idea of it somewhat based on the old .41 colt case with a stronger casehead?

 

[P&R Fan]

Several gun writers have written articles about it. John Taffin and Jim Wilson come to mind. I believe they just trim .41 magnum cases back to "Special" length. I suppose the length is the same as the .44 Special.

 

[SAFireman]

yes, they exist

They are real....A member here, if I remember right Calaveras Slim, had convinced Starline brass to make a batch...they were apparent lifesavers for folks who only have access to indoor ranges (that will not allow any 'magnum' rounds).

I think that you can find the new brass with the Special head stamp online somewhere, but did not save the link...I like my 41 stout

 

[mkk41]

Starline did indeed make a special run on special order of .41 SPL headstamped brass. I just bought some (250rds) a month ago. You can find it on Gunbroker. It is still considered a wildcat though , as no factory ammo exists because the round has no SAAMI* specs or approval.

As I found out the hard way , many ranges have a "No Magnum - Specials Only" policy. You cannot use ANY ammo that says MAG or MAGNUM. Don't matter if it's a squib load! Yet ya can shoot .30 Carbine , .454 Casull , or any other round that does not say MAGNUM on the headstamp. Ya can even load your .44 Specials to levels that would make Elmer Keith wince , but NO MAGNUMS!

I tried using my Horton/S&W 657 Classic Hunter in pistol matches a few years back. I made some mild loads , a 175gr cast SWC over ?.??grs of W-231 for about 800fps. Was told that since the rounds were headstamped MAGNUM , I could not use them! I then demonstrated the diff between one of my reduced loads and a full power .41 Mag load , 220gr SWC over 16.5grs Blue Dot.

Was promptly asked , er , TOLD to leave!



* Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufacturers Institute.

 

[Jack Flash]

Non-magnums only allowed... Now I see. Some folks come up with the craziest rules...

 

[mkk41]

Non-magnums only allowed... Now I see. Some folks come up with the craziest rules...

STUPID is the word I would use. Ya can shoot .357 SIG , but not .357 Mag , or even .32 H&R mag. I can handload some .45 Colts to power levels far beyond .41 or .44 mag factory loads and they'd be OK.

And any talk of 'reloads' just irks them even more.

And yes , there are some ranges with a "no reloads" policy!