.41 Mag

[336A]

I've been reading the 3" .44 mag velocity thread with great interest. There is a lot of good info from all that have posted in that thread. So I started thinking what is the velocity (or average one could expect) of a .41 magnum load with a 410459 (or like bullet such as a H&G #258) and 19.0gr of 2400 from a 4 5/8" barrel? I also wonder if 20.0gr of 2400 is safe behind one of the above mentioned bullets, since it was recommended by Elmer Keith, and a lot of folks here I see still use 22.0gr of 2400 behind a 429421 in they're .44's. I have read in a article written by John Taffin that he got 1472 with a 410459 and 19.5 of 2400. But I don't know when that was written or if that data is even relevant today.

I've already tried a H&G #258 with 19.0gr of 2400 and found it to be might to much for me from my Ruger Blackhawk, I guess unlike Elmer I'm a sissy:) I ended up settleing on 18.5gr which just so happens to hit the same point of aim as my 8.5gr Unique load, yet is not as abusive as 19gr. So to make life simple that is where I stopped and accuracy from both loads is great. However for posterities sake I often wonder if Elmer's recommended 20gr charge of 2400 and his H&G #258 is still a safe load. Also what would the average velocity would be with only 19gr of 2400 because I've not found any current data for this combo and I don't own a chronograph. What are the opinions of all .41 magnum experts on this?

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I would think with a 220 grainer and 2400 if you subtract about 40 fps per inch of barrel difference you would be about close. 220 grainers if a tight fit in the case and cylinder will give a descent inertia restriction for that 2400 to get up a good head of steam to burn well. Bullet hardness, barrel condition and groove diameter will also be a bug-a-boo in this guessing but then we are just guessing.
But I garentee one thing... there is no 220 pound critter out there going to absorb many of those and not need to go apply for some free O bummer care fixing up if it does not leak out long before.
Mike in ILL

[Lloyd Smale]

a large framed blackhawk or redhawk will eat that load for lunch.

[HATCH]

I shoot a 3 inch 657 smith.
8.5 grains unique 220 grain fprn.
I got data at home.
It's not a full power load but its a good target load and accurate too.

[jwp475]

Too many variables to guess velocity. I have seen 4" barrels that produced higher velocity than a 6" barrel did on the same day with the same ammo

[336A]

a large framed blackhawk or redhawk will eat that load for lunch.

Which one?

[Lloyd Smale]

any large framed ruger or redhawk. If im not mistaken ruger hasnt made any 41s on the smaller frame so any ruger should be safe with that load.

[kweidner]

Gollee. My 41 runs super fast with unique. Six inch DW. I am getting 1200 ave over 9.5 gr unique with a 220 and the same over a 200 gr with 9 grains. I will wave to go back and look but IIRC at 18 grains of 2400 mine was running 1300. Too fast for the alloy in my particular application. 1200 fps will take anything I am going to point it at I assure you. I like the recoil with these "medium" loads. I am sure my gun will thank me in the end. As well as it shoots, I want it to last a loooooong time. Besides at 100 yds I just hold on a gallon jug and kaboom. This is with anout a 1.5 inch high group at 25yds.

[336A]

Lloyd,I was wondering about which load you was reffering to that ruger will eat for lunch. By chance were you reffering to the 19.0gr of 2400 load?

[leadman]

In my Ruger SBH Hunter with the 220gr Saeco TC I have found LilGun to provide the fastest velocity. Was shooting 17.8gr the other day and velocity was 1,375 fps. The max is either 20 or 22gr, this is good for almost 1,500 fps out of my gun but is not real fun to shoot. The 17.8gr load is very accurate.
I have not noticed any forcing cone wear as some claim with Lilgun.

[GLynn41]

in my 4 5/8" blackhawk and the 410459 19gr of 2400 is hot and runs mid 1300-- say 1340+-
Mr Keith liked 19-20 but even back in the 1978 when i got my first .41 Blackhawk --too hot -18.5gr was better- lost about 30-40 fps --- I have an old Lyman cast boolit handbook and it goes to 21 with the 410459
but not for me--and today's 2400 is different I have a 4 cav Saeco 411 Keith that comes out at 236 gr-- and currently I am using 17 of 2400 with it-- it looks like a scaled down lyman 429421

[jwp475]

In my experience I was able to get higher velocity with 296/H-110 than I could with 2400 in the 41 mag with 210 & 220 grain bullets

[BCRider]

My 49th edition Lyman manual only lists a max of 19.5 gns of 2400 for the lightest bullet in the bunch. So you're already over the usual limit if you're using anything more than a 170gn bullet.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup ive owned at least a dozen 41s through the years and the only gun i was skeptical about shooting that load in was the old model 3 screw 357 i had converted to 41 mag by dave clements. I have no doubt the gun was proably strong enough but with the small frame i knew id be pushing it and the cylinder on that gun was pretty short and demanded seating bullets like swc deap and crimping over the driving band. Kind of shake my head a bit here. Guys will run 45 colts with 25 grains of 110 and a 300 or a 44 mag with 22 grains of 110 and a 300 but are afraid a 41 which has even thicker steal on the cylinder walls and the same large frame will blow up with a load a grain heavier then the loading manual says. I dont know what it would take to destroy a 41 mag ruger but im sure that recipe would be a scary one. By the way i doubt you could pack enough 2400 in a 41 mag case to blow up a redhawk.

[GLynn41]

While I still use 2400 -I prefer h110/296
since I have two .41 wildcat TC barrels-- and a .41 wildcat in a Redhawk
I do not push the normal .41s at all --fav load is 20-21 gr of 296/h110 and either the 225lfngc, 410459 (which while accurate I do not use much) or the the Saceo .411 235 - never shot it at anything but deer but they sail right through -

[336A]

Glynn thanks for the info that is what I kinda figured. BCrider I've done a lot of research and don't see that load as being over max with a true Keith bullet ala H&G #258. The bullets in the Lyman manual you mention have longer shanks, therefore they encroach upon powder capacity more than a true keith bullet. There for the powder charge must be adjusted for that. Also if you look at reloading data for the .41 & .44 mag you will notice a 2gr difference between the two when using 210 & 240gr bullets. I'm pretty confident that 19gr is a reasonable and safe max load with that bullet and 2400. I know that it is with the various 210gr jacketed bullets which will cause even more pressure than a lead boolit due to the friction coeffcient of the the jacket material.

[Scramjet]

336A:
Take a look at the thread I started "need 41mag Keith style 230 Info". There is some information that might be useful.

Tom