.41 magnum lead info

[TNsailorman]

I have about 160 lead 215gr. truncated cone nose boolits that I need to pull down and reload. What would be your powder of choice and load. I have 2400, a little Unique, w231, No. 9, Red Dot, and Green Dot. Experience only please, james

[rkrcpa]

2400 or Unique is all I've ever used in 41 magnum lead loads. Are you looking for high or low velocity?

[G W Wade]

8 or 8.5 Unique would be my choice for just an all around load GW

[littlejack]

I have used all those powders at one time or the another. I used Unique for decades before switching to Herco. I took two deer back in the day, with an 8 grain load under the Lyman 410459 swc. Thru & thru, both. Played with the 2400 as well for a while. It worked fine. Started using the heavies and switched to H-110/296. You have some good choices of powders, just depends on what you're looking for. Target or hunting?

[Uncle Grinch]

Almost all my 41 Mag loads are using Unique . Been doing that for 30+ years. I don’t hot rod them too much 900 to 1100 fps depending on bullet weight is good enough.

[cowboy4evr]

You Unique " lovers " will be happy with my post as I stopped using it many years ago . My powder of choice for my Unique " replacement " has been Winchester Super Field . My standard " everyday " load using the actual Keith swc , H&G 258 has been 8.5 grs . It is good everyday carry load , accurate , plenty of power and shoots much cleaner . It's been much more available . Regards Paul

[tigweldit]

I have been reloading and shooting .41 magnum for over 50 years. Unique at 8-9.1 grains with a Lyman 41032 won't disappoint you. Accurate and hard hitting.

[littlejack]

Long live the .41 magnum. Been shootin one since 1969.

[rbuck351]

I have been using one load in my 41 Ruger BH for about 40 years. 16.5gr Biue Dot and a Lyman 410610 for 1480fps. Yes, I have read about the BD warnings but I have had no issues.

Shot a nice whitetail a few days ago. Shattered the front shoulder bone and went through the ribs and out the other side.

I have a light load with 8.2gr of Win 230 and a 200 gr Lee at 1200fps but haven't shot it much.

[TNsailorman]

The reason I asked this question is because I have always used H110 and 2400 but thought maybe trying something else. I tried Unique in low to mid level velocities but found it to not burn completely and very dirty cases on the low end. I am looking for something in the 900 to 1000 fps range that burns clean and is available. Thanks for your input and keep it coming, I am watching. james

[chsparkman]

Green Dot should fit that bill. Lots of data is available.

[Kosh75287]

You asked for experience-based reloading with the .41 Magnum which, personally, I cannot provide (SORRY). Of the three original magnum revolver rounds, 7.5/Unique with the signature bullet weight (cast) makes for serviceable, if not necessarily maximum-performance load.
Using a reduction from Unique to Green Dot and Red Dot, you may find that 6.4/Green Dot/210 gr. cast and 5.8/Red Dot/210 gr. cast are reasonable starting places.

[wch]

8 or 8.5 Unique would be my choice for just an all around load GW

That's my choice: 8 grs Unique with 210 gr bullet.

[Good Cheer]

Just a little above mid-range charge from that old can of powder that's been ignored for the last ten years.

[cowboy4evr]

TNSailorman : Another load that I really like and should fit your desire is 7.0 grs of Titegroup . Hodgdon's lists 6.5-7.5 grs with a 210 gr bullet . I have found 7.0 was a perfect fit , reasonable power , mild recoiling and shoots very very clean , " unlike Unique " !
I realize that is not a powder that you have listed , but it's readily available and reasonably priced , unlike all the powders from Allliant these days . Good luck , regards Paul
BTW : I see you have 231 listed . 7.0 grs of 231 with a 210 gr cast / plated bulllet makes about the velocity you are seeking , depending on your gun , barrel length etc etc .

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have about 160 lead 215gr. truncated cone nose boolits that I need to pull down and reload. What would be your powder of choice and load. I have 2400, a little Unique, w231, No. 9, Red Dot, and Green Dot. Experience only please, james

First,
I wouldn't reload those previously seated boolits, unless you just want ammo for plinking/blasting fun.

The reason I asked this question is because I have always used H110 and 2400 but thought maybe trying something else. I tried Unique in low to mid level velocities but found it to not burn completely and very dirty cases on the low end. I am looking for something in the 900 to 1000 fps range that burns clean and is available. Thanks for your input and keep it coming, I am watching. james

I use Red Dot for ammo in that range. I think my charge is 6.5 or 7.0 (if I recall, I noticed the beginning of pressure signs with the 7.0 load...or was it 7.5 ?) ...BUT, please look up published data and work up (or work down?) to get a load desired by your gun.

[cherokeetracker]

If I am hunting I like to go with new brass and new bullets. You are pulling bullets, so I would be using them for practise. Green Dot would be best for that. W231 has low flash and if you can later comer up with a good accurate load, it would be best for hunting.second choice for practise is the red dot. I have used it before and it works good in practice loads. Trigger time and follow through are very important in preparing for hunting. Good Luck.

[RJM52]

If you are getting unburned powder with UNIQUE then you probably have inadequate crimp/bullet pull... I've been shooting Unique for years in .41 and .44 with zero issues. Try a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die.

In a 4" barrel with Unique with 210-220 bullets:
8.0 950+-
9.0 1100 +-
10.0 1180 +-

The 210 at 950 is a duplicate of the original 210 LSWC POLICE load made for the Model 58. I chronoed the original Remington load at 940 and the Winchester at 960. Both had very soft lead bullets that crudded up the bore in short order.

If you want target velocity loads 7.0 grains of 231 is cleaner burning than UNIQUE and about 900 fps.

Also see the sticky at the top of this page as there is a lot of data in the .41 Magnum tread...

Bob