Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Charter Arms 2.5", 23 oz 41 Mag

Thought this might be of interest.

Picked up a Charter Arms Magnum Pug – 2.5”, 23 oz., 41 Magnum. Don’t plan on reloading for it, so ordered some factory loads – Barnes Vortex 180gr XFB HP, 230gr “Keith” HSM Bear Load, 230gr SWC, 250gr WFN Grizzly. Chronoed 2 ea of the above (3ea Grizzly) a week ago – LabRadar muzzle vel at approx. 55 deg F. Ordered some Fed 210gr Swift A Frame and Grizzly 210gr Punch and shot those today (45 deg F last 2) both in truck until shot.

180gr Barnes ….… 1,195 fps (21 es)
230gr HSM …….… 1,145 fps (28 es)
230gr Underwood .. 1,263 fps (18 es)
250gr Grizzly …….. 1,169 fps (4 es)
210gr Fed Swift A Frame .. 1,191 fps (1 es)
210gr Grizzly Punch …….. 1,239 fps (20 es)

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The Underwood 230gr had the most recoil and the 180gr Barnes the least. Didn’t put any on paper, but the 180gr Barnes hit the 25 yd plate with a 6 O’Clock hold, all the rest hit quite a bit higher.

Recoil is reasonably manageable – less than .357 Mags in both S&W 360 PD & Ruger LCR. Didn’t seem as snappy as .44 mags in the 329 PD. Trigger finger not impacted but base of thumb and web of hand received moderate impact. HSM offers a “Cowboy” load that is actually fun to shoot.

Grizzly Punch is a bit too long to function reliably in the CA.

Paul

Good info Paul. Those 41 loads are kicking ass from that little snub.

I haven't had a chance to play with one of those. I know that Buffalo Bore does NOT recommend their hot 44 special 255 grain SWC Keith Type, GC, 1000 FPS, load in a Charter Arms. This Heavy .44 Special ammunition can be fired in every .44 Special or .44 Magnum gun made EXCEPT CHARTER ARMS .44 SPECIAL BULLDOG. 41 mag would be a LITTLE thicker cylinder wall, but It's got to be pushing things. I'm open to arguements that they are ok. Personally I'd like the XL 45 Colt.

Great information...

The Underwood 230s are going as fast and in some cases faster than Federal/Remingtom 210s and Winchester Silvertips from a 4"...

If you are looking for a little more control with a cast bullet you may want to try the Federal CastCore 250. It has the LBT WFN bullet that will fit is short cylinder guns and the velocity out of 4" 57 ran 1080.

Bob

Have the 40 S&W version. Shoots Federal 180gr Hydra Shoks pretty well and yep, it's a handful.

I added your data to the .41 thread on the Cast Boolit Forums...

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?276144-41-Magnum-41-Special-Load-Data-Center

Midway indicates Fed 250gr Cast Core has been discontinued. Did a google search and couldn't find any in stock. Also looked on Gunbroker. I'll look locally to see if any gathering dust on ammo shelves.


Paul

The 45 Colt version interests me a bunch. Any of the 225 etc factory defense loads would suit me for carry. Primarily, it'll get fed an 1873 duplication load using the Lee 255 RF. Occasional use with a 255 grain SWC at 1000-1100 fps, which I'm guessing won't kill it.

If it'll do all that and stay on a 6" plate at 25 paces, It'll earn a place at the feed trough here.