BTS 40 in revolver

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I just stumbled into a 40 cal. Revolver...I think.
actually the Herters 401 powermag.
I have never heard of this caliber and gun before,
here is a link with lots of info.
http://www.gunblast.com/Fryxell_Herters401.htm
a co-worker tells me his Dad has some Guns to sell.
He mentioned He got a Herters 44 mag from his dad
and his Dad has a Herters 41 Mag to sell.
Well upon searching this morning, Herters didn't sell
a 41 Mag...they sold a 401 powermag.
I'm so excited about getting this single-action.
it should be ideal for shooting the 193gr. BTBJHP.
More later,
Jon

[buck1]

I have heard of those, but never saw one. good find...Buck

[BT Sniper]

SWEET! Is this close to a 10mm "mag" as in 10mm but a bit longer? That would be Perfect. Do let us know.

Side note here Jon, I started putting together your 308 dies :) I'll keep you informed.

BT

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

BT,
I may be getting ahead of myself...
Cause, I haven't even seen this gun yet,
I am only speculating the owners son doesn't know what it is.
I hope it's original and not a converted gun.
I guess many Herter's .401 Powermag guns were converted.
Jon

**Info from a website**
Herter's Famous Custom Grade Super .401 PowerMag Revolver
The cartridge was a .40 caliber magnum, housed in a 1.275" case, loaded to magnum level ballistics (nearly the same size as a 41 mag).

Herter's did not actually manufacture the .401 Powermag revolver; rather they contracted with J. P. Sauer & Sohn

here is a stock photo. it looks like a blackhawk.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/Herter401powermagSARevolverstockphoto.jpg

[legend]

in the sixties i wanted a 401 powermag,badly,and could not afford one.
in the seventys ruger blessed me with the blackhawk 41 magnum !
its still my favorite handgun of all time.

herters was way ahead of their time.

i miss the catalog with its lengthy,colorfull descriptions.


but then i miss convertables,vermont the way it used to be, ten cent cokes in the bottle, and a certain little redhead also.....

i hope you enjoy it !

[kawalekm]

Now that is a cool project. Since the revolver is single action, I wonder if you can make a 10mm conversion cylinder for it?

[sargenv]

I was able to get the 193's up to 1150 fps using Longshot in a very long loaded 40 S&W case. I was loading them to 1.260". I think Longshot ran out of oomph and I have not yet tried Blue Dot, H110, SR 4756, or other like minded magnum propellants.. I don't see why you can't work up a load for BT's bullets in that alternate 40 cal gun. I was loading mine into a 6.5" 610-2 and a 3 7/8" 610-3.

[shaggist]

If you Google '401 Powermag', and go through the websites that popup, there are all sorts of load data for this cartridge. It is about equivalent to the .41 Mag of today.

[BT Sniper]

Looks like a pretty good gun there Jon. I saw brass could be formed from 41 mag. Did you actually purchase this gun yet?

Can't wait to hear about it.

BT

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

No I haven't gotten to see it yet.
I have this week off work.
I will see the guy when I go back to work on Monday the 30th.
I hope he remembers to bring the gun.
Jon

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Well,
I ordered a mold via a Group Buy,
RD TLC356-135-RF 6 Cavity - 9mm Luger
in anticipation of getting this revolver.
should add 10 grs to the 193 gr BTBJHP to make it 203.
Yeah, I guess I could have modified a mold...I just can't do that to a perfectly good mold.
also, it looks like a nice Gas check boolit for 9mm Luger.
Jon

[BT Sniper]

Your on your way there Jon. Let me know what you use for your lead alloy and what weight they drop at. Then I can make you a new HP if you desire heeping the bullet a bit shorter. Of course it may be just right for a FN. Did I get you one of those for your 40s?

Just recieved a perfect nose pin for your 308 die. It is going to be a SWEET set up. It could be ready soon (few weeks or less) depends how many bullets I want to try out with it first :) Drop me an email sometime, make sure you're still interested you know.

BT

That is a very nice looking revolver too by the way, from all the reading I found on it. Hope you get it.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

BT,
I'll be posting my Lead alloy experiment when ever I get around to it...could be months.

regarding the 40 die, Appearently you don't remember it was 5 or 6 months ago. I had you make 3 nose punches (Flat, small HP, Large HP) I should be set, especially since
bullet length should be no problem for a 401 Powermag revolver load...I think ?

YES YES YES, I still want the 308 die.
Jon

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Well it appears my $$$ offer on the Herters 401 Powermag wasn't near enough to what the fellow wanted. I offered $300 sight unseen, probably more than it's worth. my Co-worker told me His Dad said He'd rather keep it mounted to the wall than sell it that cheap. So, No 40 cal revolver for me today :(
Jon