Reloading equipment for .41 magnum.

08 May 2003, 05:23

I need to buy reloading gear for my .41 magnum.
I am very experienced reloading for rifle but new to reloading for a revolver.
I want to use the dies that don't require lubrication and believe I need to crimp my loads.
What dies and misc equipment are recommended?
Also recommend powder and controlled expansion bullet.
Pros and cons of cast vs. jacketed bullets.
This revolver will be my trail gun for protection when backpacking in the wilderness of Idaho.
Appreciate any assistance with these topics.

08 May 2003, 05:56

Bigdaddytacp

quote:
Originally posted by rukidnme:
I need to buy reloading gear for my .41 magnum.
I am very experienced reloading for rifle but new to reloading for a revolver.
I want to use the dies that don't require lubrication and believe I need to crimp my loads.
What dies and misc equipment are recommended?
Also recommend powder and controlled expansion bullet.
Pros and cons of cast vs. jacketed bullets.
This revolver will be my trail gun for protection when backpacking in the wilderness of Idaho.
Appreciate any assistance with these topics.

.....You want Carbide dies and I have had good luck with RCBS......the seating die also holds a crimp area that adjust the crimp by die depth in the press and then you adjust the stem for the seating of the bullet......with some bullets and HEAVY loads I prefer to seat the bullet completely and then seperately crimp by die readjustment or better a seperate die that stays adjusted for just crimp....for the revolver loadings the roll crimp works well and is standard in revolver cartridges.....lead bullets of normal type work well in target low speed loadings for just fun shooting...the more expensive hardened type lead bullets will take full power loadings and work well for almost any use and are accurate im most guns....the jacketed bullets are also good for the upper end loads and do shoot cleaner in most guns.....but the lead seems to be easier on the barrel of the gun and does shoot dirtier and require a little more cleaning to get the gun back to clean....good lead solvent and regular powder solvent with a good rod/brush....NO STAINLESS brush!!! and jag with tight patchs will clean out the barrel and a Lewis(Outers) lead remover system will clean the forcing cone and barrel if stubborn problems develope in cleaning.....I used 2400 for heavy loadings and H110 with 210jacketed and 225 heavy lead bullets.....41 bullets aren't as plentiful as 44/45 but most shoot well and the brass is durable and takes several loadings......even with the carbide dies the brass needs to be clean and kept trimmed to the same length to get a better crimp on the heavy recoil type loads......HTH..good luck and good shooting!!

08 May 2003, 07:30

Tusker10mm

Well you are sure starting off right in the handgun field. I use Redding dies, and press. My load for the 41, and the one I have used for at least 20 years, and anyone may use at their own risk-
170or 210 gr Hornady XTP
13.2 gr IMR 800X
CCI 300 primers-
I got this load from one George Nonte, (bless His memory), and have never found any reason to use anything else.
Good Luck! [Smile]

08 May 2003, 11:01

Magnum Mike

GREAT PICK OF CALIBERS!! [Big Grin]

Dies - Redding carbide. No case lube needed.

Bullets -

Jacketed - I have used most of the major brands in jacketed, cast, etc... If you are looking for a rapidly expanding bullet (for defense or small critters, thin skinned) i would suggest the Sierra 170JHC. I have used this bullet for a number of years on varmints and driven to high velocity, it is "killer"! [Big Grin]

For larger game, i would select either the Sierra 210JHC or Hornady 210XTP. If bears are a concern, i might even consider the Sierra 220FPJ, this is a nonexpanding bullet but would provide plenty of penetration and bone smashing qualities. Another bullet to consider is the Remington 210JSP. This bullet will not expand much (unless heavy bone is encountered) and accuracy out of my guns in this caliber has been great. Penetration in on the order of a cast bullet.

Cast - I have used a 210 (really a 215) grain hardcast plain base bullet for years for plinking and small game. The hardcast will NOT expand but when you punch a hole over 40 caliber, it "leaves a mark", LOL! [Wink]

I am currently working with the gas checked heavy weights in the 41mag & 405 Winchester (soon to be tested in a 414 Super Mag also). I belive that the heavies (over 250 grains) lend themselves better to the larger cases or for short range work in the magnum. All the high quality commercial hardcast bullets will provide deep penetration (given enough velocity) and good accuracy.

Powders - H110 or W296 are my pick. I have loaded many thousands of rounds of 41mag with H110 and have yet to seriously desire a different powder.

Primers - You WILL need a magnum primer. I am a fan of Winchester primers BUT in the magnum loads i use CCI-350's. Those heavy doses of H110 or W296 like a HOT primer, especially in the colder weather. Lighter target type loads i use the WLP.

Crimp - Absolutely!! If you are shooting a revolver, you need it. The standard die set will crimp in the seating die. If you are going to shoot heavy loads, i would recommend the addition of a Redding Profile Crimp die. This die provides a more uniform crimp, well worth the additional step.

Load data - I would be happy to share data from my experience with this caliber. Just send me an e-mail (listed in the link above).

EDIT: pic added...

HTH,

[ 05-09-2003, 05:30: Message edited by: MSSmagnum ]

08 May 2003, 11:35

denton

My application is target shooting, plus a means of getting my 83 year old father-in-law, who can't use a rifle anymore, to go deer hunting with me. The .41 is a great all-around caliber.

I can only report on what I've used... no basis of comparison with other brands.

I use the Lee carbide dies. They work very well, and require no lube.

For plinking, I use RimRock copper plated bullets, and AA#9 with CCI's standard Large Pistol primer, and a reduced load.

For the rare occasions when I'm out trying to convince Bambi to come home with me, I use the conventional jacketed bullet and Hornady's listed maximum load.

For hunting, target shooting, and fierce critter protection, it's hard to beat as an all-around caliber.

09 May 2003, 12:23

BigIron

You will find the .41 happy with most common handgun powders when they are used for their intended purpose.

I have had good target accuracy with Green Dot (6.0 I believe, but my data book isn't in front of me) and 210-215 LSWC's.

W296 & H110 are the accepted standard powders for magnum revolver loads, but I'd sure like to work with Hodgdon's Li'l Gun in the .41 - it seems to have potential.

2400 or AA9 may provide better accuracy with heavy loads in your particular gun, though they probably won't give you every last foot-second that H110 will at comparable pressures.

BigIron

09 May 2003, 14:57

Still Crawfish

rukidnme,
Welcome to the wonderful world of .41s'. Like most of us here who love it you should find that your .41 is a real sweetheart to shoot, gentle on the hand and ear.
I only have one thing to add to what the other posters have said. I find wthat when I load VERY heavy 2400 is more pleasent to shoot then the same level load in 110/296. It has to do with peak pressure curve and a bunch of other voodoo physics stuff. I come to this opinion after being a .41RemMag shooter almost exclusively for 14 years. Hope you come to enjoy it as much as we do.