Need loads for 41 mag

[Highway41]

My 41 mag 6.5" NMBH arrived yesterday and I need some input. I realize this has probably been covered, but I am having issues with the search function. So here goes.

I will be using 2400 and Unique exclusively and would like your best recommendations for everything from plinking to hunting loads. I have 170 gr thru 215gr bullets and boolits, and have a 240gr mold and a wadcutter mold on the way. So any and all recommendations for the full range of 41 projectiles using 2400 and Unique would be greatly appreciated. I am interested in these powders specifically because I've acquired 5lbs of each.

Oh as far as primers go, I have both CCI and Tula large pistol, no magnum primers yet but I will be getting some in the future.

Thanks,
Tracy

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[JonB_in_Glencoe]

First, I'd strongly suggest getting a Lyman Cast bullet handbook #4 if you don't already have it. only $18 from a castboolits advertiser.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000159817004
There are lots of factors to take into consideration for choosing your load, this book is a good read to point you in the right direction. Both powders you mention are good ones for 41 Mag pistol boolits.

If you shooting plain base boolits cast from a WW or soft alloy, I'd keep the pressure under 25K PSI.
I mention that because it explains for my PET load I offer you.
It is below Lyman's starting Load.

for Boolits 200 to 255 grain, I use about 7.5 gr. of Unique, depending on bbl length and boolit weight, that'll get you going about 1000fps M.V. and at about 25K PSI.
Good Luck,
Jon

PS, I also like Red Dot for Lighter 41Mag boolits. It's a little harder finding published data for it though. I use 7.0gr. of red Dot with my 196gr. WC from an AM mold (that boolit was in the photo of my B.H. I posted in your greeting thread)

[Highway41]

Thanks Jon.
I looked through the Lyman cast book at the LGS, not impressed.
Will load up a few with 7.5 unique and take her for a spin.

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[JonB_in_Glencoe]

...I looked through the Lyman cast book at the LGS, not impressed...
Gee, I kinda think it's the best out there. You sure are entitled to your opinion though. You should let me know when you find a published book with cast boolit data that is better, if I don't own that copy, I'd surely buy it.

BTW, I have the #1 and #3...as well as the #4 as well as the RCBS. The #3 does have more and different powders listed, which is helpful, but I don't like it's layout...so it's not my first goto book. I don't generally suggest the #3 to newbies because it's kind of hard to find (in the $20 price range).
Good Luck,
Jon

PS. I haven't mastered using it yet, but there is a data lookup connected to this site. click on castpics at the bottom of the page or here it is. http://www.castpics.net/project2/CastDatalist.php

[Highway41]

Prehaps a little clarification on my part is in order. I was not impressed with the specific amount of data relating to the 41 magnum. I am under no delusion that my preference in cartridges is either the most popular or the easiest to find data for. The one I looked through was the store reference copy or it would have left with me, and it is on my list for my next order.

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[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Tracy,
Did you try the castpics data lookup ?
I just typed in "41" under cartridge and clicked on "search"
I got 114 loads, sadly very few were 2400 or Unique.
Jon

http://www.castpics.net/project2/CastDatalist.php?t=CastData&z_Cartridge=LIKE&x_Cartridge=41&v_Cartridge=AND&w_Cartridge=LIKE&y_Cartridge=&z_BulletWt=%3D&x_BulletWt=&z_Bullet=LIKE&x_Bullet=&v_Bullet=AND&w_Bullet=%3D&y_Bullet=&z_Powder=LIKE&x_Powder=&v_Powder=AND&w_Powder=%3D&y_Powder=&Submit=Search+%28*%29

[Highway41]

Yeah I checked the castpic Site. Although I had not before my original post. There just is not a lot of published data that was the reason behind my request. I would dearly love to have the time to do my own load work up but 16 hour days 6 days a week at work does not allow me that luxury. I am more than willing to work up specific loads tailored to my Blackhawk. Was just hoping to save some time with some assistance. Oh, Fyi the 7.5 great of unique load, love it, thanks.

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[GLynn41]

17-17.5 of 2400 will normally shoot well with up to a 225 gr boolit may be 230

[zxcvbob]

9 grains of Universal is a good load with 210 grain cast bullets, so 9.5 or 10 grains of Unique should be just as good or better.

You don't actually need magnum primers with any powders except H110, W296, and maybe HS6.

[felix]

You don't ever need magnum primers with any pistol oriented powder in pistol sized cases. The choice of components is sour if and when magnum primers are REQUIRED. ... felix

[41wyom]

There is a chapter in the newest Lyman handbook that I wrote about the CBA benchrest game. When working with Lyman I learned that they stopped production of their 410610 mould (I have one and it isn’t a good performer, at least for me). They decided that in this newest edition they would allow the inclusion of moulds made by other sources besides just Lyman.

I have (12) .41mag. and (5) .40 cal. BPCR moulds. The “best” so far have been:
H&G 258410 plain base weighing 220-gr.
RCBS 41-210 KT plain base weighing 210-gr.
Saeco #415 gas check weighing 220–gr.
LBT 412-240 SIL. gas check weighing 235-240–gr.

The H&G and RCBS will both give about 1,000 fps with 7.0 gr. of Bullseye

The other two like either VV N-110 or AA #9. Additionally, 4227, 4756 and 4759 have shown good results in some tests. I’ve not had the best of luck with 2400 but plan to do more testing in 2013 with it.

Gas checks at one time were the old Lymans but those aren’t available so now I use the Hornaday 416 checks. On some bullet designs they can be a real tight fit.

I’ve tried many possible powder combinations (since 1982), probably way too many. But those listed above are what I’m messing with now a days.

Tom

[HATCH]

I do 8.5 grains of unique with a magma 220 grain fprn

[crashdummy]

I use 20gr H110 with a CCI 350 primer and a RCBS 205gr plain base bullet sized to .410
Shoots fine in all 6 of my 41s. Velocities run from 1235 fps in the 4" bbl up to 1450 fps in the 7 1/2' bbls.
Have yet to chrono this load in my 10" contender.
Lighter load, 8.0 gr Unique and a Rem 2 1/2 primer 1020fps from the 4" revolver
You will love your 41 !

[badgeredd]

Thanks Jon.
I looked through the Lyman cast book at the LGS, not impressed.
Will load up a few with 7.5 unique and take her for a spin.

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The articles along with the data are very helpful.

[45 2.1]

Try the 240 gr. with 8 gr. of Unique. Not knowing which particular boolits you have is somewhat limiting. 0411" is a good sizing diameter. Some of the 210 to 215 gr. boolits like a maximum charge of Unique.

[Highway41]

Try the 240 gr. with 8 gr. of Unique. Not knowing which particular boolits you have is somewhat limiting. 0411" is a good sizing diameter. Some of the 210 to 215 gr. boolits like a maximum charge of Unique.

The 240 gr is the one I think I am going to concentrate on for a white tail load for next season. Have been watching another thread here about hunting with the lower fps loads.
Plan on getting one of Pat Marlins checkmakers soon so I can put a gc on my plain base boolits for the occasional photon torpedo. Do you have any idea how fast 8gr of unique is pushing the 240 grainer?

[Scramjet]

This thread could'nt have been at a better time:

This last year I bought a S.S.Ruger Bisley 41 mag 5 1/2"brl wheel gun. A gentleman on this web site was selling all kinds of cast bootlits, which I picked up 400, 230gr, .0411dia, Keith style SWC's and am also looking for a good powder, primer, 230gr recipe with a recommended COL. I own the Lyman cast bullet handbook which does not cover any 230gr nor does the recommended castpics data look up.

Any help would be appreciated,
Tom

[littlejack]

Hey Tom:
Your boolit should have a crimp groove on it. Just crimp your case in the groove. As for powders, depends on how hot you want to go. Unique, Hodgdon Universal, Alliant 2400, H110, Win 296 (same as H110), are all good powders that I have used in my .41. It just depends on what you want to do.
I have taken two dear with an 8 grain load of Unique under the Lyman 410459 boolit. I loaded/shot this load for years as my go to target/plinkin load.
Reguards
Jack

[Abenaki]

I have a Ruger Blackhawk, with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. The only cast boolit that I have used is a Lee 195 grain.
I load it with 9.3 grains of Unique. It works great!

I have been using this load for about 35 years.......give or take a few.

Take care
Abenaki

[Scramjet]

Hey Jack:
Sorry for the dumb COL question getting a little mixed up with all the mix n' match trying to figure out a recipe for the 41 mag 230gr 411dia bootlit I can't find info for. I have looked through my two Lee reload books, two Lyman reload books, Hornady, Nosler, and Speer reload books as well with no luck.

I have Unique, AA#9 (lots of it), and 2400 powders, and WLP (pistol) , WSPM, and #155 primers.

Here's the details:
Ruger Bisley 5 1/2" brl 41 mag
.409 bore dia
.410 throats

Bootlets are cast .411dia 230 keith style (with crimp groove). I bought a Lee push through lube sizer 410 dia. I was thinking of running the .411 dia bootlets through the .410 sizer and looking for a target load to start with moving on to hunting loads with this.

Never thought the 41 mag reload data would have been such a hard find.

Any Help Will Be Greatly Appreciated,
Tom

[canyon-ghost]

41 magnum 6.5" NM Blackhawk with 215 grain bullets

14.2 grains of 2400 is a light load for everyday

15.5 grains of 2400 is a full on hunting load

Yep, I own one. Lovely big old things, aren't they?

Good Luck,
Ron
PS: You really won't need magnum primers with 2400, I've even used it in 32-20. That 15.5 grain load came from a book for TC Contenders. It's a starting load(at 15.7 grns.) for 220 grain Keiths, had that mold too.

[littlejack]

Tom:
If you will start a new thread of your own, and state what you are looking for, I think maybe you can get more input from some other members. That way, this thread (the original posters) will not get mixed up with what information you are looking for.
You could even post it on the Wheelguns, Pistols, and Handcannons site.
Jack

[Scramjet]

Will do.
Thanks Jack.
Tom

[leadman]

I shoot the Saeco 220gr TC GC with 17.8grs of Lil Gun behind it. Very accurate load and velocity is in the 1375 fps range. 296 works good also but not the same velocity level as Lil Gun.
If you are shooting a plain based boolit and want to make it scream just invert a gas check in the flared case mouth and let the boolit push it into the case during seating. Make sure to work up the load with the gc. They do raise pressure some. I did this with the old Lee 240gr SWC plain base and almost hit 1500 fps. Not a recommendation to try for this velocity. I'm shooting a SBH Hunter so have an unfluted cylinder.

[45 2.1]

The 240 gr is the one I think I am going to concentrate on for a white tail load for next season. Have been watching another thread here about hunting with the lower fps loads.
Plan on getting one of Pat Marlins checkmakers soon so I can put a gc on my plain base boolits for the occasional photon torpedo. Do you have any idea how fast 8gr of unique is pushing the 240 grainer?

The 8 gr. is a medium load. For hunting I have a BRP 410426 HP mold I designed that I use with a full load of WW296.

[Alan in Vermont]

I looked through the Lyman cast book at the LGS, not impressed.


That is pretty much my take on the Lyman #4 CB manual. Lots of older cartridges are missing, the common stuff from the last manual was reused as-was and some of the cartridges are scantily covered. The rifle loads are middle of the range Pablum, almost nothing to indicate the upper end possibilities fo boolits and nothing at all dealing with gallery loads.

[GLynn41]

start at 15.5 of AA#9 or 2400 and go up- loads for that precise bullet may not be around but look up 240-245gr and work off that-- with Creekers Keith 230gr up to 17 gr depends on your gun of AA#9 - 2400 should about the same -go to Accurate Arms web sight and look .41 data it not hard to find