Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading Reloading the 41 Magnum

Thanks to each of you for your help and comments!

I agree completely with everything that RJM posted.

I've used the 230 gr. Keith bullet for over 45 years, mostly with 17 grs. of 2400. My everyday plinking load is the same bullet with 8 grs. of Unique. Took my last elk with a 250 gr. LBT WFN using 9.2 grs. of Unique running about 1150 fps, broke both front shoulders with an exit at about 74 yds (I think) she never took a single step.Gun was my 5 1/2" Bisley.

Dick

Have some Montana Bullet Works 250 gr. LBT WFNGC arriving today. Working up a bear load for the 657 no dash 3". Going to start with 20.0 gr. of WW 296 in a nickel Starline case & Federal 155 cap. Ought to be quite the recoil/light-show

My son Cameron (26) likes to backpack in Montana's Cabinet mountains, the grizzly is definitely present. These loads will be for him. He hikes with another young man who packs the short 12 gauge loaded with slugs/00 buckshot but I'd still like Cam to have something on his hip.

Also have a Glock 40 MOS in 10mm with the Burris Fastfire ll, the 15 rounds of Sig-Sauer 180 gr. FMJ @ 1250 fps might be an option.

Thoughts?

20 grains of H110/296 with the 250 LBT is max...it sits the base of the bullet right on top of the powder charge. Velocity from a FA 97 4.25" barrel is 1309 fps...it is somewhat "snappy".

Federal uses this same bullet in their CastCore load. It is only going 1080 fps from a 4" S&W 57...it is much more pleasant to shoot and I doubt any less effective.

If you want an effective bear bullet for the 10mm get some of the Montana 200 grain LBTs...they have fed in the 1911s and Glocks I have shot them in.

http://10mm-firearms.com/reloading-10mm-ammo/montana-bullets-works-10mm-200-grain/

A friend of mine went on an elk hunt in Western Montana last fall. He was going to take my 3" 657 but decided to get his own G29 instead. The 40 is way too bulky to be hauling around the mountains...

Bob

I run that exact same bullet in front of 7.5 grains of Unique in my S&W 357PD - it shoots good and is manageable in the PD. Never had to use it for protection but feel pretty comfortable if I had too.

PrnnDog

I went with 19.0 grains of WW 296. Rest of my load data remains the same.

Weighed the bullets right out of the box, they averaged 241 grains.

41

Shooting a maximum load for your gun isn't necessarily the best thing to do for a bear load, shooting a heavy bullet that you shoot well is probably more important. Bears are blink quick & a fast follow up shot might be needed in some cases so be sure you can handle the load you have in your gun. A good 240-250 gr bullet will do very well if placed correctly. Good luck.

Dick

Long running thread for my favorite caliber, my Little Dandy has a rotor that throws 20gr of H10 and with a Nosler 210, accuracy is outstanding and penetration and expansion is perfect

Understood, I'll range test this hot WW-296 WFNGC 240 gr. load & see just how manageble the recoil is in my 3" 657.

I can always punt & work up a lower velocity load using 2400 or Unique using standard primers.


41

I have a 5 ½” Redhawk and a 5” (custom) Model 57. They have very different load preferences.

Out-of-the-book loads, that produce normal pressures in the Redhawk, have to be pounded out of the S&W cylinder. In addition the S&W is very sensitive to the brand of brass used. An often-used load (#410459 – 18gn 2400) that I consider to be maximum in Remington cases must be reduced to 16.2gn in Winchester cases to avoid sticky extraction.

After comparing various primers I use Federal 150s exclusively. Other brands have produced greater velocity variation. Magnum primers, even with slow-burning powders, have produced greater velocity variation but no greater velocity than Federal 150s.

Favorite loads in the S&W (Remington cases only):
170 Sierra –16.0 gn Blue Dot or 12.0 gn SR 4756 (the 4756 load groups with 175 Silvertip factory load)
210 Sierra or Speer Gold Dot – 17.5 gn 2400
#410459 – 9.5 gn CFE Pistol or 18.0 gn 2400
265 True Shot – 14.6 gn #9 (1040fps) or 19.5 gn #11FS (1110fps)

Favorites in the Redhawk (Winchester cases):
All of these loads, though not over published maximums, caused cases to stick in the cylinder of the S&W.
210 Gold Dot – 18.0 gn 2400
#410459 – 19.0 gn 2400 (shares 25 yd groups with 175 Win. Silvertip factory load)
265 True Shot – 8.5 gn CFE Pistol (1040fps) or 15.0 gn 2400 (1150fps)

Experiments are ongoing with Accurate #11FS hoping for a low-flash and clean-burning substitute for 2400. H110/296, in my subjective opinion, gives excessive muzzle blast, flash and recoil.

19.0gr of 296 topped with a 210gr hornady xtp has worked well in my ruger redhawk for over 20years. Bo reason to shake things up now

I'm not sure they have any advantage at any range

You ever shoot that load through a chronograph?
I'm loading up the same but with 21gr of 296, it breathes a little fire with that charge and some recoil.

Started this over on the CastBoolit Forums...lots of posts and links to everything .41...

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

When I posted the above I didn't realize how OLD this thread is...oh well we can just keep this .41 thread moving along... There must be some new .41 owners out there....

Bob

Well My S&W 41 Mag still likes my 2 year old reloads, but I can hear it calling from the safe, wanting to be fed. Any new sensible recipes are always interesting. Especially if they use Keith Type cast bullets.

My S&Ws all get 210-220 gran bullets with 8.0-10.0 grains of Unique...very boring...very very accurate. About the only exception is the 3" 657. I've found shooting lighter weight bullets in that one to be better...

didn't know you ever used 11grains of unique.
the addiction grows, anothe 41 on the way to arizona

Have 3 .41 mags, a M58, M57 6",Blackhawk 6 1/2'. everyday day load is 215 bayou bullet coated hard cast and 8 grs Unique, also have a heavier load using a gas checked 260 hard cast (buddy casts them) over 12 grs blue dot. And the hornady 210gr XTP over 20 grs win296 for deer hunting.