Need advise on loading for a Henry 41 mag

[boatbum101]

Managed to git my mitts on a 41 mag Henry . I've loaded 41 mag for my revolvers , but this is my first lever gun . I did load up 500 with 210 JHP for break-in , but after that it's cast only . Made up dummy rounds with 410459 @ oal 1.660 & LBT 240 LFNGC @ oal 1.700 . Both feed & chamber just fine . My intended use will be Hog hunting . Should I keep velocity down to what I'd get from my 6 1/2" RBH say 1,300fps or less ? My guess is with added barrel length I'd gain roughly 300fps over what the same load would do out of my Ruger . Normally I look for best speed I can get with reasonable accuracy ie keep 'em all on a pie plate @ max range I intend to shoot . I figure with this rifle 75 - 100yds max , with majority of shots probably less than that . I really thought about a WFN , but did not know if they'd chamber & could I push them hard enough to keep them stable @ max intended range . Forgot to add that my 410459 are BHN 14 with Carnuba Red & LBT are HTWW BHN 22 with LBT Blue . Will have to see if I'll need a harder alloy on the 410459 . Might have to back of the throttle on them . Any tips , advise etc greatfully accepted . Thanks , Andy .

[Tatume]

Just use the data from your loading manuals. You should expect a bump in velocity, but don't use velocity as a surrogate for reliable loading data. H110 and W296 work well for me, and reliable, pressure tested data are available on

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

I think you're under-estimating the accuracy potential of that nice carbine. I would be looking for 2 MOA at 100 yards.

Take care, Tom

[boatbum101]

I'm concerned with the 410459 alloy / lube holding up with velocity increase mainly . As is they shoot quite well in my revolvers . I use published load data & work my loads up .

[Tatume]

Hi Boatbum,


410459 are BHN 14 with Carnuba Red & LBT are HTWW BHN 22 with LBT Blue

The LBT LFNGC bullet and Blue lube will hold up to rifle velocities just fine. I've not used the Lyman HP bullet, so can't comment on its performance, but from what I have read it is a very good bullet. If it was me, I think I would use the LBT design, as it is known to perform well. Here is an article that describes your HP bullet as used on a mule deer.

http://www.lasc.us/FryxellElmerSay.htm

Also, just fyi, I'm a boat bum too:

184570

Those are two of my friends helping me work on my boat (I took the photo). What sort of boat do you bum around in?

Take care, Tom

[boatbum101]

I've no doubt the LBT will work just fine . First my mould for the 410459 is not a HP , but a solid . Agree for deer a HP is superior , but I use the 41 for hogs . Deer here in Florida are small & for them I use a 357 with the 358439HP . Only one county in the state that consistently yields deer that'll dress out @ 200 , & not a whole lot of them . But that's soybean field shooting & one would be better off with a real centerfire rifle considering that you might have a 300yd shot . Our hogs on the other hand can run up to 400lbs & if you have a raking shot or a " Texas '' heart shot you want more penetration . Both bullets are capable of that & breaking both shoulders on a broadside shot . My current alloy & lube on the plain base Lyman bullet do all I could ask for out of my revolvers @ 1200 - 1300fps . With the added speed of a 20" barrel I fear that I might have to go with a harder alloy or a GC bullet . I've been a Merchant Marine Ch. Eng. for many years & plan on finally pulling the plug 2020 .

[Minerat]

I got a 41 Henry for Christmas and am just starting. I had some 210 gr Berry bullets so used 8 gr Unique to use as break in. Will chrono some them out of curiosity and post results. COL was set a 1.59" since they are short bullets and they feed fine. I also loaded a few MP 416640 CG 200g HP with Molly-Bee & BLL lube with the same 8 grains COL 1.79" and it seems to feed fine too. Will chrono them too. I have a MP 41 cal 265gr Trueshot Clone mould that I will try eventually, it throws a CG 258gr HP with my alloy.

I shoot a 41 BH 4-5/8s and want loads that are safe in both so I don't have to worry about mixing them up. This may mean I have to sacrifice some thump in the rifle but I'll live with it for now. As for hunting I'll probably just use the rifle to throw lead and burn powder for now.

[plainsman456]

What i do for these duel pistol/rifle problems is load for the pistol and shoot them in the rifle.

If one has both if different loads are made up one might have problems if a load for a rifle was shot in a pistol that was not made to handle more pressure.

My 41 mag loads in my Blackhawk go 1500+ and the same loads in my Marlin go over 2000 fps.

Found the same holds true with the 45 colt and the 44 mag.

[osteodoc08]

I've shot a ton out of my 41 Henry. Best accuracy so far is sub 1/2" at 50 yards using the NOE 412237 and the 412238 stoked full tilt with 4227/2400/296 (tel:4227/2400/296).

This is from a bench rest and 4x Leupold scope.

I was not able to cycle the heavier 245+ grains without going past the crimp groove. That's ok. The NOE molds will work for everything I need them to.