Odd .41 mold

[RugerFan]

Here is kind of an odd .41 mold.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230114641546&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013

[Uncle Grinch]

Looks some what like Lyman's 41028, but without the lube groove.

Never seen this one before.

[Redleg99]

I'm guessing it was custom made.
Is there an advantage to not having a lube groove?

[Leftoverdj]

Looks like a lube groove and no crimp groove to me. I'd bet $20 (but not more) that it was intended for an autoloader. There were a couple of cartridges using .410 diameter bullets before the .40 S&W filled that niche.

[C A Plater]

From the nose profile it looks to me like the NEI #223 cut short. That one is a 230 grain with one lube and a crimp groove. NEI will cut any mold short upon request and I had that done once myself to a 4 cavity and had one cavity done without the gas check.

[Redleg99]

Leftoverdj: I won't take your bet because what you are saying seems logical.
I remember the .41 Action Express - perhaps that is what the mould was intended for?
Were there other auto pistol cartridges that took .410 caliber bullets?

[Leftoverdj]

Redleg, I vaguely recall reading about a .41 cartridge with a rebated head to bring pocket 9mms up to near .45 ACP power levels. It may have produced by Star, or aftermarket barrels for the little Star and brass may have been available from some other source, possibly both. It would have had a very brief life because of the introduction of the .40 S&W and the demise of Star.

C.A. Plater's theory makes perfect sense in that context. The shooter of such an oddball item wanting lessened recoil would have had to choose between a shortened production item or an expensive custom mould at a time when custom mould makers were few.

Forgive me any inaccuracies. My memory is good, but dredging up details about an obscure cartridge from 25-30 years ago is asking a bit much of it.

[Mohillbilly]

The Jericho pistol (renamed Baby Eagle) by Maginum Industries.shot the .41 Action Express(.41 cal with a 9mm base to fit 9mm slides/boltface),and a few others like CZ,or TZ..Also the original Auto Mag shot a cartridge with a .41 caliber bullet( out of a reamed /necked down .308 brass).I think Lee Jurras (Hi Vel) developed this.....