41 Magnum

The lead bullets will be your most affordable choice, just use 210 gr lead data and you'll be fine.

Use the 210 data, just don't start right at the top. Back off a little -- which you should do anyway at first -- and you should be fine.

I cast my own 210's using a Lee mold and load them with 9.0 grains of Rex-3 powder. I can't get Rex anymore (I wish I'd bought a bunch of it while it was still available) so am going to work up a new load soon. Will probably use Power Pistol or AA#7 or Herco.

Lyman has a 215gr .41 mag bullet mold #410610 that they list data for. If you buy one of the compiled load data One Book/One caliber books for the .41 mag you will find data for the 215 gr cast along with most other weight bullets.

The Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook is a great source for good loads with cast bullets. Another good source is the web sites by the powder suppliers.
Also look at the sites that specialize in cast bullets.

The 41 mag rocks with cast bullets !
I run my 6 inch guns with loads near the top.

In a 4 inch gun, I find these are a little too much.

To introduce a new shooter to revolver shooting, you can start with Trail Boss loads that feel like a 22 from an N frame.

Midrange loads are fun for plinking.

I have used lots for the MBC 215 Troopers since they became available.
Pick a powder that is suitable for the velocity you want.

Be Safe and Have Fun !
-steve

Cast 210-215:

7.5 grains of Unique duplicates the advertised velocities of the old "Police" load. A nice, accurate load that doesn't beat the gun up. Clocked about 950-960 fps in my Model 58. A good, general-purpose load for plinking, casual target shooting, or a camp gun where you don't need to worry about bears.

8.5 grains steps into low-end "Magnum" territory for 1100 fps give or take 10. 9.0 grains gets you solidly into mid 1100s. Still not a punishing load, but offers ample power for deer and pigs. 9 grains is my favorite all-around loading for the cartridge when the need for maximum power isn't anticipated.

18 Grains of 2400 with the same bullet is a rock'em, sock'em load that'll shoot through the average Whitetail lengthwise. You can bump that up a grain or so in a Blackhawk or Redhawk, but I wouldn't push it with the Smith.

I bought myself a 41 not long ago and had the same troubles you're having. There is a 41 mag thread in the revolver section that has a lot of good information. I myself would use the data for the next heavier bullet and start low and work up.

Congrats, I passed on buying a ruger blackhawk in .41 mag several months ago used in great shape for $299 at a lgs. I could have got it for less bc of being a regular customer. I'm STUPID!!!!

I am getting really good results with 11 gr. of AA#5 with a 210 gr. Lee tumble lube bullet cast from wheel weights. This load puts 6 rounds into 1.5" at 25 yards from my Blackhawk. And no leading. I took my son out to the range and we shot 100 rounds as fast as we could reload and reset the steel targets and no leading. The gun got pretty hot!

My Marlin 1894FG hates this load. I think it might be a little too small for the microgroove rifling.

I'm just still wondering where the 215 grs number came from & lack of specific data

Click to expand...

Cast bullet weight is not an exact science.
It all depends on the lead alloy used to cast it.


If you have a Lyman 215 nominal weight bullet mold?
If you cast a bullet in it using pure lead, it will weigh about 220.
If you cast it with very hard Linotype alloy, it will weight about 210.
If you cast it with Lyman #2 alloy, it will weight about 215.

Then when you size and lube it, it will weigh about 5 grains more, due to the bullet lube you added.

rc

What rc said. I use an RCBS 210-grain mould. RCBS calibrates with Lyman #2, as do most mould makers. With my alloy, they fall out at 213 grains. Lubed, they weigh 217 grains.

Specific data for a 210-grain bullet can be used with a 215-grain bullet, assuming that both bullets occupy an equal or nearly equal volume of the case...especially if you're not into pushing the envelope with your pressures.

I'm using 7 grains of Unique with the 215 gr LSWC from MB. Soft load and accurate.

Gee, I just took the minimum 210 grain load, and the minimum 220 grain load (same powder) and split the difference for the 215 gr lead Missouri Bullet...
Simple me.

You need to go to MidwayUSA right now and order a "Load Book" for the .41 mag. It's a small paper back book that has 512 loads with 20 different bullet designs and 35 powders. It costs about $9.00 and it is my primary source for .41 mag loads.

It pulls data from a bunch of manuals, Speer, Alliant, Nosler, Hornday, Speer, Lyman, Hodgdon etc.

Nine bucks...go get it.