Hey All,

Obviously there's not much info out there on reloading the .41 Mag. I need a bit of help here...

The Gun: S&W 357PD Airlite, 4" bbl in .41 Mag (yeah, light gun.)

The Goal: A controllable high-penetration load. I'm thinking 265 gr bullet at around 1000-1100fps.

I'm looking at the following:

265 gr. Beartooth GC Hardcast long-nose bullet
2400 powder.
Starline Brass
Federal or CCI primer.

Anyone have any suggestions? I've seen H110 data for a 260 gr. bullet at 18.5 gr. H110. Delivers 1275fps from a 6"bbl. But that's hotter than I need by a significant margin. And I don't like the idea of doing a "reduced" load with H110 - hence why I'm suggesting 2400 powder.

I'm thinking of a starting load of around 12gr. 2400, probably maxing at around 14.0gr.

Any thoughts here guys? I don't have any load data to work from for this type of load...

i don't shoot that heavy a bullet in a 41, but i really hate 2400 with all the unburned powder i always get from it. H110 is a far better choice for me

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i don't shoot that heavy a bullet in a 41, but i really hate 2400 with all the unburned powder i always get from it. H110 is a far better choice for me

I agree with the above comment on the use of 2400. I used it for a while in a 44 Mag but got tired of all the grim and dirt that it leaves behind. I also switched to H110 for my heavy loads with a 44 Mag and a 45 Colt Mag.

I would think that the load you're looking at will indeed produce some recoil but then when it does you end up saving $$$$ because you don't shoot it as much. Good luck in your search.

I think for what you are trying to do, ie. a slightly reduced load, 2400 is a better choice than H-110 or 296, which can get erratic with less than full power loads and in low tempertures.

Unique might get you to @1000fps.
With such a heavy bullet I would start with maybe 7 grains.

Have you tried the Federal Cast Core load?

I have shot it in 44 Mag, and it is a good product.

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah, the 265 is a long bullet and pretty heavy for caliber - but I'm after solid penetration without being a max load.

I'm pushing this through a .357PD airweight - like, 28 oz. empty.

I've shot a few Grizzly 250gr. Cast Loads and, well, let's just say that was pretty darn borderline. I kept all 6 shots in a tight enough group (2") with DA fire, so if pushed I could always just go that route. Still, I prefer to load my own. That, and I have 200 bullets worth of 265's...

Anyway, I have the following powders on the bench now:

HP 38 (used for light loads)
Unique
2400
H110

Here are my notes on the following loads:

215gr. LaserCast Bullet in all cases:
HP38: 7.0 gr. Mild recoil. Chrono'ed 925fps.
2400: 16.0 gr. Moderate recoil. Chrono'ed 1075fps.
H110: 20.0 gr. Heavy Recoil. Not Chrono'ed. That feckin' HURT. Fired three rounds.

So, that gives you an idea where I'm at.

Closest loads I can find for use with a 265gr. slug are from Lyman:

240gr. Mold #410426.
Powder: 2400. 14.0gr. - 18.5gr.

Accurate Powders shows the following:
240gr. Lead RN:
#7 Powder: 12.6-14.0gr. (#7 is similar in burn rate to 2400)

290gr. Lead Flat Nose:
#7 Powder: 10.0 - 11.2gr.
#9 powder: 12.1 - 13.5gr. (#9 similar to H110)

So, I'm thinking 12.0gr. of 2400 should be just about the right starting point to try the 265 gr. slug. Again, due to the light weight of the revolver, I'm only looking for 1000-1100 fps. I'm trying to stay on the side of controllability for 6 shots. I'm certainly not pushing for redline max magnum loads here.

Thoughts?

I think you are on the right track, try the 2400.

I have shot a friends Scandium 44 Mag. Factory 270 Speer and Federal 300gr Cast Core, were less punishing to the hand than factory full power 240gr loads.

Buffalo Bore loads a "Reduced Recoil" 255gr 44 Mag load for the Scandium framed 44 Mag. Velocity is @1250fps. in a 4" S&W.

My friend got some of the Cast Performance 250gr WFNGC's for his Smith, and the powder that was suggested to him from them was Lil Gun. It equaled the velocity of the other powders but with less pressure. However with your velocity criteria this load would be a bit much.

Not sure if you have access to the following powders possibly through a friend, but Hodgdon's site list the following loads for that bullet weight,

265 GR. WLNGC AutoComp 7.7 1040 26,300 CUP 8.7 1132 35,700 CUP
265 GR. WLNGC Titegroup 7.0 1064 32,200 CUP 7.6 1116 37,900 CUP

For my 41 loads I for the most part stick to the 200 - 215gr cast or jacketed loads. I have some heavier bullets which I have tried through the years but never really needed them.

Good luck.

Initial Load Testing:

12.0-14.0 gr. 2400. 265gr. WLNFPGC bullet (LOL!)

12.0: decidedly soft. I don't think this was getting efficient ignition at all.
12.5
13.0
13.5: significant change from 13.0. The load had a snap to it and this was the first time the round "felt right". Combustion was good, recoil was very controllable.
14.0: More of the same, and a tight 1" group at 7 yards (yeah, but it's a start). 14.0gr. / 265gr. load was softer in recoil than a 16.0 / 215gr. bullet load. I definitely think I'll find what I want within in the next two grains.

So, no chrono, but I'll get out and test 14.0-16.0 during the next week and I'll get some chrono readings to boot.

Just a quick range update.

I ran out with the following loads:

6x 14.0
3x 14.5
3x 15.0
3x 15.5: no pressure signs, clean burning.
3x 16.0: Just the barest hint of an increase in pressure over the 15.5 load. Still safe. Bullet "creep" under recoil evident on the 6th round - going to have to use a heavier crimp.

No chrono data yet. 16.0 shot "point of aim", same as my 110 plinkers at 25 feet - I find this odd and suspect that will change.

Recoil was controlable, enabling me to put 6 rounds into 1.25", DA shooting.

I'm going to chrono the 16.0 gr. load to see where I'm at. If it's between 1000 - 1100 fps, I think I will call it "good". If not, I'll push to 17.0 gr slowly...cases aren't sticky so there's still room work...

BTW, Buffalo Bore quotes 1300fps in a 4" S&W Mountain Gun... so I think I'm doing well for my intentions. I presume BB probably uses H110 or LilGun at max loads...

Anyway, just keeping this thread going for my records.