Another .41 Question

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EZred

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I have been loading 250gr WFPGC Cast Performance bullets on top of Trail Boss for .41MAG. IMR is the only place I saw data for this particular bullet and their loads are very mild and shoot well. I was thinking about looking at other powders and the closest approximation I could find in all the manuals was from Lee. It has an extensive list of for 245gr lead bullets. I have Universal and Titegroup on hand and I thought I might follow their loads, BUT then I noticed a gross difference in seating depth. With TB these bullets seat for an OAL of 1.54", which is in line with the seating groove. The Lee manual recommends seating the 245gr bullet for an OAL of 1.63", this would seat the bullet quite a bit further out of the seating groove. Due to the increase in pressure resulting from a .09" deeper I am wondering how far I might back off the min charge, being the overly cautious handloader. I noticed that the 300gr Lead seats at 1.54" as well, but only has data for H110. Any thoughts?
 
EZred: the powder I like best for .41 magnum is AA#9 and here's data: http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/...1Cal(10.4mm)/41 Rem Mag Pages 126 and 127.pdf
They don't show a 250 gr. Bullet, 240 and 290 gr. Bullets is what they list. I wanted to mention it because based on the velocity you want, AA#7 will work very well if you want slightly less velocity than what #9 will provide. The data can be a bit misleading with some powders not achieving their claims for velocity. AA#9 will deliver and in my experience it does it with the best accuracy I've seen if you are attempting to build a hunting load with the 250 gr. cast bullet. Something a little slower, #7 provides very good accuracy in Magnum handgun cases for this.;)
 
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Steve,

Thanks for the knowledge, I didn't think to look at their site, since I had the 2007 Annual magazine, guess I should have it bookmarked by now.

CZ

I am going to pursue AA#9 next trip to McBride's in Austin. Trail Boss has been giving me good target/practice loads, but for performance/mountain loads for the next trip to Idaho I would like to work up something that has some power. I have yet to look at the data, but I take it I could load full power and lighter target get loads for my M57 with #9, versus loading up #7?
 
You'll get higher performance with #9 for sure. After your previous thread, I like what I read about Trail Boss. For 210s around 1000 FPS the higher load density vs. some other powders is definitely worthwhile, IMO. Basically, #7 loads will fall about 100 FPS or so, short of #9 loads, but if you wanted to load, say, a 210 to 1200 FPS, #7 is a very good choice and less powder is required. A good choice for loads between what you can do with Trail Boss and what you'll be able to do with #9, although the load range for #9 may be what you're looking for, anyway.;)
 
EZred, I've actually settled on that Cast Performance 250 grain WFNGC bullet over a stout charge of Lil'Gun in my 4" Taurus backpacking revolver - and we do almost all our backpacking here in Idaho. Seeing as how my wife and I have been backpacking for about 25 years and have yet to even see a grizzly outside of a national park (where it's illegal to carry a gun anyway) I gave up carrying a heavy .454 Casull or heavily loaded .45 LC a couple of years ago. We've never had a problem with the black bears we've encountered, but if we ever do, I suspect my .41 will get us out of trouble. I also suspect it's plenty for mountain lions, wolves or human predators.
I got the load data I use for that bullet from Hodgdon's 2006 Annual Manual. It's kinda weird, but I don't seem to be able to find .41 Magnum load data in Hodgdon's 2007 Annual Manual. As Steve said though, I guess you can find it on their website. Handloads.com has some too.
 
EZred, if I may:

Looks like you're using a premium slug for a cowboy action/plinking load. That's a little expensive. You may want to try a cheaper slug, if plinkers are what you're after.

Or if you are looking for a high preformace loading you really need a different powder. 2400, 296, H4227, vvN110, or 'lil gun would be good choices.
 
I am pretty much guilty of doing exactly that. I had never reloaded anything but jacketed bullets for the M57, but I got a Ruger in .41 and started shooting more of the caliber. So then I decided I should see what I could do with lead maybe loading at milder velocities. I went to Cabela's an the only thing they had on the shelf in .41 was the Cast Perf., so now that I like the results I will most likely order from Midway and pay freight. Any recommendations on what might be economical in the 240-250gr weight?
 
Economical in cast lead at that heavy of a weight in 41 mag is tough. If you were willing to drop to a 215-225 weight range then your options open way up.

The demand for bulk cast bullets that heavy in this caliber just isn't there. Most folks that do want to throw a chunck of lead that heavy just do it out of a 44 or 45 colt.

May want to look up a fellow that posts here on THR under the handle LAH. He may help you out.
 
EZred: I kind of glossed over part of your original post: the OACL question. The 250 gr. WFNGC from Cast Performance has a longer shank and shorter nose than most of the heavyweights for .41 Mag, 240 gr. and heavier. Meaning it will seat deeper to allow you to maintain the max OACL of 1.590", or less. The reason you'll see longer OACLs is because most heavyweight cast bullets tend to have longer noses for the added weight that require a longer length for seating and using the crimp groove on the bullet as in the case of the load you mentioned at 1.630" and some will be even longer. Rugers will typically allow you to use a longer OACL that might not be suitable for the M57 and Cast Performance obviously had that in mind with a heavyweight that will meet the OACL requirement for the M57. Something to keep in mind when you start looking for an economical alternative because some of the heavyweights will be listed with an even longer OACL, as in the case of the Accurate data because of the various brands of bullets being used.

Since you'll be looking at Midway, they have the excellent Oregon Trails 215 gr. SWC. A very good bullet for a lot of different chores, other brands are sold as well.

There are a number of powders that will work here as mentioned. The reason I have been using #9 for high velocity hunting type loads is because of the accuracy it provides and it will come closest to the velocity claimed and do it with less muzzle blast than some of the slightly slower burners listed. It has very good energy to chargeweight potential.;)
 
That makes sense to me now. I have only previously loaded jacketed bullets in .41 so I have not handled many of the cast bullets. I was looking at the Oregon Trail website last night and they appear to have good prices on lots of 500. I am going to shoot the Titegroup loads tomorrow and am going to look into AA#7 &#9. (A friend told me he has great performance from #7 in .357SIG)
 
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