New to me 41 mag

[AggiePharmD]

Got a lead on a New Model Blackhawk with the 6.5" barrel over this past weekend. I'd been eyeing it at a local pawn shop for a few months but never pulled the trigger. Priced about what a new one would be and the finish was pretty dogged. Anyhow a buddy knew I was interested and asked the guys at the pawn shop what was their lowest price as he had a friend intersted. Anyhow turns out the pawn shop guys and this friend of mine are pretty tight. Let's just say it found its way into my safe yesterday on my day off. Roughish finish but mechanically sound. Plus the barrel is almost perfect. :)

Always a suckered for a 41 mag

[Beagle333]

I always wanted one, but I'm already expanding calibers faster than I can get equipment to load it.
I'm sure that one is going to be loads of fun! :grin:

[Scharfschuetze]

Just got 'a love a good 41 Magnum. It's a great calibre that I used for several years (S&W Model 58) as an LEO. I still have the revolver and plan to keep it.

I've been using the RCBS 41-210-SWC mould for well over 30 years for the revolver. I duplicate the old police issue load with it using Unique powder and that load has poleaxed a few head of livestock for me so I've never felt the need to use a full magnum load in the revolver.

[AggiePharmD]

I know it'll be blasphemy round these parts but I'm tempted to buy cast boolits for some of my calibers especially if a 300 blackout Ruger bolt gun happens to follow me home. I can't keep up with boolit making and loading fast enough to do all the shooting in want to. I'm just glad I don't live in the country where I can step off my back porch and shoot otherwise I'd have to quit my job! I'll concentrate on hoarding lead for now and shoot when I'm retired...provided I can afford to do that after all the money I spend on my hab...er I mean hobby.

[AggiePharmD]

My first was a model 57 4" pistol. My dad has a 3" model 57 that I've claimed in his will. You just can't have enough. What is that land you speak of? My next project is to load up some with Trail Boss.

[birddog]

I picked my first one up at a savings and then had to replace things. Still a great caliber and fun to work with.
Charlie

[44man]

Great gun and most finish problems will be the paint on the grip frame.

[AggiePharmD]

Great gun and most finish problems will be the paint on the grip frame.

Hit the nail on the head. Grip frame for sure. Are those aluminum or a light cast metal?

[Groo]

Groo here
The grip frame is aluminum .
But now you are lost!!!!!
Once you go 41 , others will seem somehow lesser.

[44man]

Brownells sells a great spray paint for those frames. Aluma Hide I think. I have used it and it will make your gun like new.

[AggiePharmD]

Yep I agree once you go 41 you never go back. :)

[AggiePharmD]

Brownells sells a great spray paint for those frames. Aluma Hide I think. I have used it and it will make your gun like new.

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check on that.

[Larry Gibson]

[QUOTE=AggiePharmD;3319897]I know it'll be blasphemy round these parts but I'm tempted to buy cast boolits for some of my calibers especially if a 300 blackout Ruger bolt gun happens to follow me home.........QUOTE]

Not really "blasphemy" to most of us to use commercial cast......I've shot lots of them in numerous calibers including the .41 Magnum. I've had several revolvers of .41 magnum over the years but transitioned to Ruger BHs as the large S&W N frame is not comfortable for me to shoot regardless of the grips on them with any medium or magnum level load. I can shoot the standard or Bisley BHs all day long with full magnum loads w/o discomfort....that's just me though as I found the S&Ws, especially older M57s, to be excellent revolvers.

You might find many commercial cast bullets will lead though. Many think it is because the alloy is too hard and they are undersized. However I've hound the .410 bullets are not undersized for the several Ruger cylinder .41 throats I have pin measured. The harder alloys also don't lead if a better softer lube is used. The leading is due to the hard wax lube most commercial casters use. I have to say though that numerous commercial casters are using better lubes these days. You just have to try the ones you get to find out. Some of the smaller commercial casters will let you order un-sized and un-lubed bullets which is the best way to go if you still have time to size and lube your own. I also have washed a lot of commercial cast bullets in Colman fuel to remove the lube (bullets in coffee can, cover with fuel, let soak 45 minutes to hour, swish around, pour of fuel, tumble bullets in an old bath towel and when dry relubed with 50/50 or BAC lube). If that's not an option you can easily put a coat of LLA on the bullets which many times solves the problem with mild and medium level loads.

I've found most cast bullets from 175 - 220 gr shoot very well in the 41 Magnum. I've not shot heavier because I'm not trying to make a 44 magnum out of it. Like Scharfschuetze I've used the RCBS 41-210-SWC for years with outstanding success for medium and full level magnum loads. I've used Lee's 175, 195 SWCs over BE and Unique for light and medium level loads but have settled on the Lee TL410-210-SWC because it shoot extremely well in the 800 - 1150 fps range but mostly because I have it in a 6 cavity mould.

Any commercial cast of 200 - 210 gr over 5.5 - 6.5 gr BE will make a very good light load in the 800 +/- fps range. Over 8 - 9 gr Unique will give you 1000 - 1150 fps also with excellent results for the "medium" velocity load. For full magnum level loads 210 - 220 gr cast over top end loads of 2400, Bluedot or Acc #9 will give magnum level performance in the 1250 - 1350+ fps range out of your 5.5" barrel with SAAMI MAP psi's.

Larry Gibson

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[44man]

I agree with Larry about the lubes. The .41 can be a knock your eye out at 200 yards. It is just a baby .44 after all. I think you will find it can do everything wanted.

[Wild Bill 7]

I loaded some Lee micro groove boolits with 4.6 Trail Boss for the wife. Nice powder puff loads too. Powder coated with Smoke's fucia(pink) for her. New model Blackhawk with the longer barrel and they are pretty accurate also.

[Lefty Red]

Didn't known they made the 41 in a 5.5" barrel. I thought it was just a 4.75ish" and 6.5". I had the shorter one and would have loved it in a 5.5".

[Walla2]

Great cartridge. I just started shooting PC in it. What a joy.

[Gofaaast]

Hard to beat the 41, welcome to the frat!!!

[Lefty Red]

I know it'll be blasphemy round these parts but I'm tempted to buy cast boolits for some of my calibers especially if a 300 blackout Ruger bolt gun happens to follow me home. I can't keep up with boolit making and loading fast enough to do all the shooting in want to. I'm just glad I don't live in the country where I can step off my back porch and shoot otherwise I'd have to quit my job! I'll concentrate on hoarding lead for now and shoot when I'm retired...provided I can afford to do that after all the money I spend on my hab...er I mean hobby.

Since in an apartment and my casting was nilled due to "saftey worries", I buy from MO Bullet Company. As good as Lasercrafts IMHO.

Jerry

[Lefty Red]

I loaded some Lee micro groove boolits with 4.6 Trail Boss for the wife. Nice powder puff loads too. Powder coated with Smoke's fucia(pink) for her. New model Blackhawk with the longer barrel and they are pretty accurate also.

I used that mold for my 41 and it was the best groups I got from casted. $15 mold back then! One ragged hole at 25 yards with a healthy dose of Blue Dot. But that was when I took Paco Kelly's word as gossip and didn't know about standard level or light loads. LOL

Jerry

[Sax.45]

Great cal. I have a Ruger Blackhawk Hunter in .41 mag that gets used in the rotation for deer hunting, Very accurate.

[bearcove]

I got my uncle's 41 NM BH 4 5/8 Great carry gun. I don't think any thing I shoot will get out a micrometer. Other carry gun 44mag. Same same

[AggiePharmD]

Didn't known they made the 41 in a 5.5" barrel. I thought it was just a 4.75ish" and 6.5". I had the shorter one and would have loved it in a 5.5".

You know I stand corrected. It is a 6.5" barrel.

[Lefty Red]

You know I stand corrected. It is a 6.5" barrel.
Darn! I was hoping that they made a run of them!
I know its not much of s difference, but the 5.5" just feels better. And the front sight isn't moving so much. ;)

Local gun swapper has one for sale. I try to be good......

[GLynn41]

I have owned most every cal-- 9mm to my current 500 GNR- but came back to the .41 and use almost nothing else- there is a sticky on .41'sunder favorite loads-- you might look at that --- my two boolits are a Michec 208 ge HP and a Saeco .411 230 gr K-- in a 4'' tracker and a 6'' DWA-- and then some .41 wildcats-- 95% of my hunting is deer and some boar - .41 is all good have fun

[Ruger45Bisley]

Congrats I love me some .41 magnum!

[AggiePharmD]

41 Mag as always been my favorite pistol caliber. I seem to like the "odd man out" type calibers to include the 6mm Remington as well. Yep it is basically a .243 Win but it is just a bit different...kinda like me. :)

[Sax.45]

I like some odd ball calibers too. Got me a Herters .401 Power Mag, Which is really close to the .41 mag. I don't have any original .401 brass, just use .41 mag brass to make em.

[lonewolf5347]

2400 powder in my 41 ruger 4 5/8 barrel is a tack drive out to 50 yards 210 grain cast boolets

[AggiePharmD]

Made a range trip yesterday to exercise this old girl and her grandmother....one of my M1917s. Anyhow I was shooting some commercial reloads, 20-35 yards from a sand bag rest, with the H-2400 powder and honestly don't recall the charge as I've lost that info in an old email switch over. This is however more than fine as the blasted things really kicked even with the longer barrel. It was controllable but not for all day shooting. As you can see, I seems to have a couple of throats that are smaller than .410" as they seem to create fliers. I'll have to send it off for a reaming with one of my other cylinders. Shot about 44 rounds. Finally had enough sense left (that wasn't beat out of me yet) to run a cylinder thru on a fresh target. My next project with this one is TB loads.

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