Plated bullets for 41 mag

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Mark Bergo

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does anyone load copper plated bullets in the .41 mag? I have a ice cream bucket full copper plated 220 gn .410 dia. flat point bullets with canulear groove. The only load data I can find in my manuals is in a Lee manual using Accurate Arms powders which I don't have and can't find. I have Unique, H110, W296, 2400 and Blue Dot. Does anyone have any loading data to share? I need to load for a Henry BBS lever action. I had several hundred rounds of Speer 200 gn JHP and 200 gn JFP, but they will not feed. The design of the plated ones look like they should feed, just need some loading data for the powders I have. None of the shops stock powder any more in my area
 
I would start with Unique... but they can likely handle 2400 as well, and would probably work well in your Henry.

Alliant does not recommend BlueDot in the .41 now... true story, bro.

Dave's 8.0grn Unique would be a good place to start, you can ramp up from there.
 
I have made midrange loads, Blue Dot being one of them, with the Extreme 210 gr bullet, but nothing full bore.

Welcome to THR
 
I load 200 Rainer 220 grain plated bullets over 7.2 grains of Ramshot True Blue. My Model 57 Smith & Wesson loves this load.
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Yeah transfer this to the hand load section. Answers will for sure be found over there
 
Just FYI, there is a lot of reliable data available online... Hodgdon, Speer, Alliant... they are all there. I like to compare it to my book data... which can be outdated.
 
Wbbh said
I load 200 Rainer 220 grain plated bullets over 7.2 grains of Ramshot True Blue. My Model 57 Smith & Wesson loves this load.

Walkalong said
I like True Blue for midrange loads with the X-Treme plated 210.

I just picked up some True Blue today to try it out in my 57.

Thanks for posting, it rekindled my interest in 41 Mag. I usually only shoot it with max load of 2400. These might be fun.

I have about 500 Extreme 210 plated bullets. They have been laying around here for years. Time to get them out.
 
I've been meaning to pick up some .44 cal RMR plated bullets to try in my Marlin .444. I noticed they had a velocity restriction on them that was slower than what I wanted to shoot. I called them and they told me the suggested velocity was for use in revolvers because of the forcing cone. They told me in rifles you could load them up to normal velocities. I just thought I'd add this as you are asking about shooting plated bullets in a lever action. I'd call the bullet maker if theres any questions. Good luck
 
I loaded the 220 gn plated .410 bullets last night. I used the Lee manual for 220 gn copper plated and used a double disk to get just over the starting load with Accurate #9 powder my load is 15.3 gr. I then loaded the same bullets using Accurate #7 and was able to use one disk that put me just over the starting load. I used Federal 150 primers and new Starline brass and used a Lee FCD to crimp. Gave a firm but not hard crimp, did not want to break the thin copper plating. I loaded 5 rds of each in my Henry .41 mag and fired 4 rds of each, checking for any pressure signs. I ejected the 5th rd of each and checked cartridges for OAL and the bullets did not get pushed deeper at all. I checked my target after firing 4 rds of each and was not impressed with the #9, there was about a 4" spread. I checked the #7 and that was a 2" spread maybe a hair under. I believe I will stay with AA #7 and maybe try Unique. A client gave me 2 cans of Unique to try. I will try 8.0 gns, but have not found a load for 220 gn copper plated bullets. I have an old Lyman Cast Bullet manual that might give a recipe for loading hard cast 220 gn.
 
AA#9 is better for full power loads in 41 mag, and it doesn’t surprise me that it was driving plated bullets to inaccuracy. #7 is the better bet of those.

Would suggest some Unique loads in the 7-something range.
 
In reality, using data for 215grn jacketed bullets would be fine... as long as you aren't maxing them out. I hardly load anything but cast (not plated... cast) for the .41 anymore, and my standard load is 9grn Unique. That load is in the middle of the jacketed data, but it works well enough... I've been loading it for about 25 years. 8grn Unique would be a good place to start... with a standard primer.
 
I have about 400 .41 loaded with bullets from a 215 gn Lyman mold, they are gas checks. I tried a few and they are stubborn cycling in my Henry. Almost as bad as the Speer JHP and JFP's. The plated 220's cycle well, so I will either have to pull bullets or shoot them up in my Contender. Looking for a good revolver, preferably a Dan Wesson, but .41's of any kind are a rare item in any of the gun shops
 
Looking for a good revolver, preferably a Dan Wesson,

Good luck with that... and bring your checkbook. I was lucky enough to have an internet friend with a .41 DW that he wanted to get rid of, it was the only way I could join the club. They go for stupid money on GB and other places... the demand is certainly there. For that matter... the .41 barrel sets go for almost as much as the pistol. Another reasonable alternative would be a Ruger Redhawk or, if you don't mind a single-action... a Blackhawk in it's many forms. I've not had good luck with Ruger pistols, including a .41 stainless Bisley, but I'm almost willing to punch myself in the face and buy another one.
 
I have about 400 .41 loaded with bullets from a 215 gn Lyman mold, they are gas checks. I tried a few and they are stubborn cycling in my Henry.

I had an issue last go 'round with some cast 220grn Keith bullets... the nose was just a litttttttle longer than a normal 215grn cast (psudo Keith SWC profile...) and they would hang up in my Marlin. I found I had to point the muzzle up and give the lever a little jiggle to get the cartridge to settle at the back of the carrier before it would lift it and clear the chamber.
 
This may be helpful to some, especially for plated bullets but also since .41 mag bullets can be pretty variable in diameter if loading multiple types. I was loading laser-cast and nearly ripping the press off the bench during crimping, given diameter, but they were great bullets performance-wise. I discovered the Lee collet die for handgun rounds, now use for several calibers including both .41 mag Redhawk and Henry carbine. Won’t break thru plating, and can handle variable diameter bullets easily and comfortably. My great finding after seriously ~ 75000 rounds loaded. Maybe should have put this in the 41 mag association thread, but it’s more universal.
 
results of starting loads using AA#9, #7, and Unique. #9 was upper body group, #7 was between the eyes, and the diamonds were both Unique. Range was about 55 yds. #9 load was 15.2 gr, #7 was 12.3 gn and Unique was 8.2. No pressure signs, no copper plating cut or broken through on the 3 bullets I pulled. No bullets pushed deeper in the cases from recoil, (which was almost none existent). The #7 group looked the best to me. Wind was maybe 5 mph straight from my back, temp around 95 degree. I am going to play around more with the #7 and the Unique powders, nothing very hot with these plated bullets. This is intended to be my go to the woods coyote repellent loads for my Henry. The Henry has a red dot that I like in low light like in the woods towards dusk. I will need to move the dot right about 1/2 moa and try some more.


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I have a friend that was a big fan of #7 and #9 in the .41... I've always been pretty pleased with Unique and, now, IMR4227. That #7 looks like a good fit!
 
I have some H4227, but it is about 30 yrs old. I might have to give it a try if I can find any data for it's use with a 220 gn lead bullet.
 
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