.41 Magnum & Blue Dot

[gbw]

After many years I'm needing to load for my old 57s. Unique is fine for the lead bullet loads, and I used to use Blue Dot for the jacketed hotter stuff.

What are you .41 reprobates using these days? Is Blue Dot still a viable choice? I always did like it.

Thanks,

 

[Runningman]

Winchester 296 is hard to beat for combined accuracy and velocity in the 41 Mag.

 

[W.E.G.]

Plenty of loads if you just google "Blue Dot 41 magnum"

The manufacturer says don't use it for 41 mag.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx

 

[ReloaderFred]

For full power loads, I've used Winchester 296, Hodgdon H-110, Accurate #9 and SR-4756. All work very well in my 6" Model 57, which was my duty gun for many, many years. My Marlin .41 Magnum likes Winchester 296 and 210 grain bullets, which make it more accurate than a small lever action is supposed to be.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Steve C]

While many like to say that H110 and W296 will give you the best velocities in actual chronographed loads I've found that 2400 will do as well or better with 2 to 3 grains less powder with some bullets. One of the best things about the .41 mag is I have yet to find an inaccurate load.

 

[JimKirk]

I always used W296, H110 and 2400 for full loads and Unique for my softer loads. I do have a half can of Blue Dot that I used up, so I shot some of it too, but the others where my main powders. S&W Model 57 6" until some one stole it. Replaced it with a S&W 629 6" that is OK, but I loved the 41 mag much better.

Jimmy K

 

[ForneyRider]

I use H110 for cannon loads and W231 for plinkers.

 

[loadedround]

I use Blue Dot in all almost all my 10mm and 44 Mag loads with the exception of heavy hunting loads in the 44's and then I will use 296.

 

[janobles14]

its already been mentioned but here is the text of it.

Safety Notice

Alliant Powder periodically reviews and tests their published reloading data to verify that our recommended recipes have not changed over time.

During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be used in the following applications:

* Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).
* Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

i dont know how many people have paid attention to it since many of us have used blue dot in these ways for years.

 

[sargenv]

It may also be a warning for Alliant Blue Dot.. not neccesarily for Hercules Blue Dot (of which I still have a few pounds). The formulation has changed a bit over the years. Earlier Blue dot (pre mid 90's) was a bit different and new loading data came out after, I believe, a plant explosion where they made Blue Dot. The old and new versions were different enough that data changed.. The new stuff was fluffier and lighter for the same pressure and it had a slightly different look to it. Older blue dot looked darker. I don't use much Blue dot these days but always found it to be "fiercer" and "flashier" than H110/296 or 2400.

 

[JoelSteinbach]

you can get light plinking rounds or powerful rounds with TiteGroup