Smith 57-1 in 41 Mag....and suggestions for boolits?

[tddeangelo]

Clean slate here, haven't bought a mold or anything, and I have a couple hundred commercially made cast for it (225 RNFP's, I think), so there's no real hurry.

Suggested molds? I am mostly thinking range time, but would like to hunt with it occasionally. I have a couple hundred Nosler "Sporting Handgun" bullets (210's), so I have some "j-words" for it, too. :)

[rkrcpa]

Lyman 410459 or the H&G258. Classics that still work for most any need.

[tddeangelo]

rkrcpa, whereabouts in PA? I'm near Cabela's.

[376Steyr]

Unfortunately, the Lyman 410459 is discontinued and the H&G 258 is difficult to obtain. NOE Bullet Moulds should have a nifty 224 SWC, the equivalent of the two, available for sale sometime in May. Details here: http://noebulletmolds.com/smf/index.php/topic,626.0.html After the Group Buy, they should have some extras for sale on the website.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

The Lee 195gr is a good paper puncher with RedDot I use a 220gr Lyman for hunting

[captaint]

I've had great results with the MP 412-200HP. Haven't shot any in solid form yet, but the HP's shoot real well.. I also have the RCBS 210gr mold. I did cast some up, but I've not loaded any yet. Try 6.8 of RedDot.

[rkrcpa]

rkrcpa, whereabouts in PA? I'm near Cabela's.

I'm a little south of you in Chester County. I'll be up at Cabela's tomorrow, need a bit of fresh air and it's supposed to be nice tomorrow. Good day to blow the dust off the bike.

[superdan]

+1 for the NOE 224 gr SWC mold. You might be able to get in on it still if you hurry.

[sixshot]

I've owned several 41 moulds over the years but the one that always gets the call when I go hunting is a 230 gr. Keith slug made from a Saeco mould. I've taken lots of game with it, everything from small game up through Javelina, whitetail & mule deer elk & antelope, it works everytime & always exits, even on elk. My load for 45 years has been 17 grs. of 2400 with that bullet. A buddy used it on his bull moose, one shot as the bull faced us at about 65 yds. It didn't exit on the moose as it was a straight on shot.

Dick

[tygar]

I have the old Lyman or RCBS (to lazy to go look) 2 cav 210gr. Used it in m M57 for every thing. Shot good.

[tigweldit]

Lyman 41032 with 7-8 grains Unique, nice target,plinking,small game. 410459 with 10 grains of Unique for larger game. Both very accurate in my M-57.

[Lloyd Smale]

cant recall off hand without going out and looking but the lyman swc that is gas checked and goes around 225 and the lbt 250 lfngc are two bullets that shoot great in every 41 ive tried them in

[Dan Cash]

I have a LBT mould cut for my M57 that drops at 250 plain based. It is pleasant to shoot over 6 grain of Unique and quite accurate. The same bullet over a suitable dose of 2400 is, to me, preferable to the .44 Mag of which I have 2. This gun and load is my go to pocket rifle.

[Airman Basic]

Have used the 210 grain RCBS with success, a month or so ago, a kind shooter here sold me a 6 hole 210 grain Lee tumble lube SWC. Works great and shoots great. Lee discontinued the 6 banger but the double is still available. I searched for the large mold for years, worth the hunt, IMO.

[GLynn41]

Mountian mold will make you anything almost-if you want a .410459 MM can make you one--Accurate Molds have lots of choices too - a 225-230 Keith or LWN
will work on most any thing in the lower US -- if more is needed a 255 will rock--while i have taken deer with heavier -290+ these more normal weights work just fine--a 255LWN @ 1320 shot from the back of the ribs to the front of the opposite shoulder and exited a 280# boar at around 30 yards - there are many good loads using Unique, Herco, 800x, 2400, AA#9, H110/296-- so have at it and have fun

[azrednek]

If you can find any of the discontinued Lee 41 full wad cutters they make wonderful plinking rounds for the 41. I've shot well over a thousand over a 20 year period in my 57 and 58. Loaded with 4 or 5 grs of Bullseye the cluster real well out to 15-20 yrds.

[cajun shooter]

Used my 6 1/2 inch bbl model 57 to shoot my first IHMSA matches. The rear sight elevation screw was lacking a few threads to make good adjustments for the 500 meter rams.
I had to laugh one match as my spotter advised me to look at my sight, at first I became somewhat annoyed, then I looked to see the rear sight about 1/2 inch above the rear slot as the screw had let go.
I was most likely shooting well over the berm and was the reason my spotter could not see any rounds hitting close by. Ha!! Ha!!

[MGD]

For fun the H&G #255 175gr wadcutter is fun. For action pistol games the Lyman 410426 240gr RN speedloads well. The Lyman 410459 is a good all around bullet also.

[Groo]

Groo here
SNS casting has a 215gr swc coated boolit in 41.
I have shot about 500 so far with very good results. [ 6gr Trailboss for a Police load]
PS. Watch the nose length of any cast boolit, there are many designed for the Ruger Blackhawk that are too long for an S&W [ I found out the hard way]
We shot the SNS boolit/load above in 5 different 41's.
The "worst" group at 7yds was 1/2 dollar size, most were quarter size.
AND no leading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MarkP]

I use the LEE 210 TL & 195 gr with Reddot in my S&W 58 for my plinking loads.

Dad's friend has an old LEE mold that drops a puck type WC (really short like a Lyman 358101)

[azrednek]

I use the LEE 210 TL & 195 gr with Reddot in my S&W 58 for my plinking loads.

Dad's friend has an old LEE mold that drops a puck type WC (really short like a Lyman 358101)

These 41 mag threads reminds me of how much Felix is missed. When it came to the 41 he was the expert.

[RJM52]

Any one of the Keith style boolits will work well in a 57. I have used the Lyman, RCBS and MP molds and can't tell the difference in accuracy with any of them...

Bought one of the Accurate 41-215V molds last year and it is impressive. Has a .37 meplat and has cut nice round holes out to 100 yards. Have loaded it light and heavy and accuracy is always great...

One problem you may encounter with bullets over 230 grain is that the front sight may not be tall enough. I have shot 300s from my 4" 57 and at 25 yards with the rear sight bottomed out they are 8" over POA...

Bob

Accurate 41-215V, 41-250F and 41-250L

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Bullet%20Tests/004_zpscfim9sap.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Bullet%20Tests/004_zpscfim9sap.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Bullet%20Tests/013_zps5040a75b.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Bullet%20Tests/013_zps5040a75b.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Bullet%20Tests/014_zpsa0dba482.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Bullet%20Tests/014_zpsa0dba482.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Bullet%20Tests/015_zpsbdf04729.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Bullet%20Tests/015_zpsbdf04729.jpg.html)

[azrednek]

One problem you may encounter with bullets over 230 grain is that the front sight may not be tall enough. I have shot 300s from my 4" 57 and at 25 yards with the rear sight bottomed out they are 8" over POA...

Bob

I've probably fooled around more with the rear sight on my 57-2 w 8 3/8 more than any handgun I have. Using cast slugs varying from 170 to 255 gr loaded mild to wild for the past 20 or so years. I currently have the sights set dead on at 30 yards for the GC 41 HP's from Miha .

As much as I hate to admit it. I got the best shot to shot accuracy several years ago shooting factory Winchester Silver-Tips in both my 41's. I've never been able to duplicate it with my hand loads either jacketed or cast. Age and failing eyesight has also contributed to the declining accuracy.

For several years I shot the discontinued Lee 240 and could get a pretty decent group out to 50 yards. I used the Lee 240 loaded with HERCO but can't recall the load for Javalina medicine but unfortunately was unsuccessful with it.

Health permitting, if I can ever get busy at my loading bench again. The 41 cal mold I got from Miha with several hollow pointing pins has the potential to achieve the accuracy I got years ago.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/dnisbet/P1010094_zps9znk7bvy.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/dnisbet/media/P1010094_zps9znk7bvy.jpg.html)

From left to right:
Lyman 410610, Lee 170 WC + Lyman HBWC (forgot number) Unfortunately I shot up al the castings from Miha's mold.

The Lyman HBWC is a terrific shooter but by far one of, if not the hardest most frustrating casting sessions I ever had. Afterward the mold immediately went to Ebay.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/dnisbet/WINDOWS-VGO8QL2/Pictures/2015-02-13%20001/P1010001_zpszgbtxys3.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/dnisbet/media/WINDOWS-VGO8QL2/Pictures/2015-02-13%20001/P1010001_zpszgbtxys3.jpg.html)

[tddeangelo]

Wow....forgot to check this thread for a few days (gotta subscribe....guess I should check the pref's in the forum to see if I "auto-subscribe" to my own threads, lol). Great info!

Unique seems to be a go-to powder, along with H110. Both are HARD to get these days. Any others that are more available anyone would recommend?

I've read a bit about sizing. Not a huge revolver guy, but I always wanted a Smith in 41 Mag, and got it last fall finally. When I read about slugging revolvers, invariably the reading discusses slugging the chamber throat. So...to see what size to get for my revolver, what do I slug? The cylinder chambers? I'm not new to reloading, but the vast majority of my work has been with bottlenecked rifles and j-words. ;)

[osteodoc08]

You can still find used, serviceable 410459 molds. I bought one a few years back and it shoots well. I also have the MP 258 copy. I actually have more 41 molds than anything else save my 45 colt molds. My all time favorite besides the 410459/258 mold is an Accurate 411250V and I've shot more impressive groups more often out of all my 41s than anything else.

[tygar]

I have noted a lot of guys are shooting heavier bullets in their 41s. My 6.5 M57 really liked the standard 210 gr load in both factory and cast.

I could hit the crow at 100 consistently with Unique so never tried heavier. How have you found accuracy in the heavy loads at long distance?

[osteodoc08]

I have noted a lot of guys are shooting heavier bullets in their 41s. My 6.5 M57 really liked the standard 210 gr load in both factory and cast.

I could hit the crow at 100 consistently with Unique so never tried heavier. How have you found accuracy in the heavy loads at long distance?

The velocities that are achievable in the 230-250 range are very respectable. I can't speak for others but the accurate 411250V allowed me to shoot 1.5-2" groups at 100 yds with my BH Hunter with a scope. I achieved similar accuracy with the 410459, but was able to be more consistent, consistently with that mold. Other than plinking at buckets at distance, I've never gone for accuracy past 100 yds.

[tygar]

lol "long range" for me with iron sites is 100ds.

I might want to buy some heavier bullets to try but usually just shoot the .44 for 240-250s.

[RJM52]

Long Range....255 grain Cast Performance bullet with 22.0 grain of H110 runs 1350 fps from a 5.5" Gary Reeder Custom Super Blackhawk. About 1400 from a 6" Freedom Arms 654 and 1200 from a 4" Model 57.

Accuracy...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Single%20Action/SW57060511035.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Single%20Action/SW57060511035.jpg.html)

3x3' target at 780 yards...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140902_112433_zps97f9695f.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140902_112433_zps97f9695f.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140902_112506_zps26edcfc8.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140902_112506_zps26edcfc8.jpg.html)


View from the shooting position...



http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/024_zpsf7aff418.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/024_zpsf7aff418.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_161334_zpsffe14b54.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_161334_zpsffe14b54.jpg.html)

Long hike up...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_170632_zps26b3129c.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_170632_zps26b3129c.jpg.html)

Looking for boolits...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171355_zps1aae5632.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171355_zps1aae5632.jpg.html)

Find boolit...255 CP...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171429_zpsc70c7de3.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171429_zpsc70c7de3.jpg.html)

Hits in target...the large one was a .41 and a .45 ACP launched from a Glock 21..

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171632_zpsc95b355d.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171632_zpsc95b355d.jpg.html)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/RJM52/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171924_zps84a5c8ba.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/RJM52/media/Western%20Vacation%207-15-14/20140906_171924_zps84a5c8ba.jpg.html)

Bob

[tygar]

Nice. I once walked a 1911 to a 500yd steel man. Seems to me I was closer to shooting straight up than horizontal.

One of my friends was a long range pistol champ for quite a while & he can really get out there with his single shots.

Way past my abilities.

[osteodoc08]

That's pretty sweet. I have a few hundred yards I can launch lead at various objects such as buckets and what not. That's pretty nice.