Western powders for .41 Magnum?

[Moon]

Which Western powders work well for .41 Magnum? Since acquiring my .41 Blackhawk a couple of years ago, I've discovered that most load manuals have poor data for .41. Enter Western powders. Last night I found their load manual online. It lists loads for all of the common .41 bullet weights for every Western handgun powder. It appears to be a great resource.

I have never used Western powders. Which would work best for .41? Ideally, I'd like one or two powders that can send a 210-215gr lead or jacketed bullet at around 1,000 fps for practice and 1,200+ for hunting. My best guess is that AA No.9 could do that. And for pure magnums, 4100 also looks interesting. I'd appreciate any insights that you may have on these powders, or any other Western powders that I should be considering. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You are correct, AA#9 will give you what you are looking for and it's a clean and good metering powder too. For 1000 fps you might go faster to AA#7.

If you decide to go a little hotter Accurate 4100 will do well as will Ramshot Enforcer.

Accurate TCM is said to do well in the 41 Magnum but I don't know anyone who has used it yet.

 

[Walkalong]

True Blue is great for midrange .41 Mag load. AA #5 should be as well, but I haven't tried it. AA #9 is great for full power loads in .41 Mag. There is no reason Enforcer should not work well.

 

[Walkalong]

From what I understand, 4100 and Enforcer are the same thing. I know the Western Powder data for them in 300 BLK is identical.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

From what I understand, 4100 and Enforcer are the same thing. I know the Western Powder data for them in 300 BLK is identical.

I just looked at the 41 Magnum data and a few others. The data for both is also identical for the handgun data too. I didn't realize they were the same but it does make sense.

 

[Charlie98]

I've discovered that most load manuals have poor data for .41

Not really, I've never had a problem finding data with suitable powders... online, in print, or otherwise. That isn't to say Western Powders are a bad choice for the .41, friend of mine swears by #5 and #9...

 

[denton]

Accurate #9 works very well for me in the 41 Mag, both for full power and for light target loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not really, I've never had a problem finding data with suitable powders... online, in print, or otherwise. That isn't to say Western Powders are a bad choice for the .41, friend of mine swears by #5 and #9...

If Accurate powders were available where I live I would use plenty of AA#2, AA#5 and AA#9 for sure. The reality is I live in an old skool area where Winchester and IMR powders own the shelves. That's not a bad thing, it's just a fact.

 

[ATLDave]

I like AA#9 in my .41 Magnum for my full-power loads. There are other powders that could eek out a little bit more velocity, but I like the way #9 meters and shoots, and it certainly doesn't make popgun rounds at full doses!

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Don't ignore Accurate #7 in the 41 Mag.

I have worked up some fabulous loads in my 44 Mag SRH using #7, and I'm certain it will work fine in my old 3-screw 41 Mag BH also.
I just haven't gotten to it yet.

 

[Moon]

Hooda,

AA7 is one that I'm looking at. I'm thinking it may be good for the 1,000 fps load, and that I could use 4100/Ramshot Enforcer for the true magnum end of the spectrum.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hooda,

AA7 is one that I'm looking at. I'm thinking it may be good for the 1,000 fps load, and that I could use 4100/Ramshot Enforcer for the true magnum end of the spectrum.

That sounds like a good plan.

I mainly use 3 powders, W231, HS-6 and W296. I have many others but I can load everything I shoot very well with those 3. You have a very good range of powders to choose from with Western powders.

 

[ATLDave]

AA7 is one that I'm looking at. I'm thinking it may be good for the 1,000 fps load, and that I could use 4100/Ramshot Enforcer for the true magnum end of the spectrum.

AA#7 is also useful for full-tilt 9mm and 38 super, and not-quite-all-she's-got .357. If you load any of those, you've got some other applications for it.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

AA#7 is also useful for full-tilt 9mm and 38 super, and not-quite-all-she's-got .357. If you load any of those, you've got some other applications for it.

AA#7 was pretty much designed for full-boogie 9mm.

As for 357 Mag, it'll give you almost top end, without the flash/fireball/obnoxious-ness of H110/W296.

 

[ATLDave]

AA#7 was pretty much designed for full-boogie 9mm.

Yep. My understanding was that it was originally developed for military ammo destined for subguns... hotter than NATO standard. For a while, it became the standard powder for USPSA/IPSC open guns, first in 38 super and then 9mm Major. There are now other powders that can fill those roles, too, but it remains a popular choice.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Data from their web site.
http://blog.westernpowders.com/newest-reloading-data/

 

[SlowFuse]

Back in the powder shortage a few years back I couldnt find any H110 which was my go-to for magnum pistol loads of any type. So I picked up a couple pounds of Enforcer and started working loads.

I dont have a 41 Mag but this powder really made a breakthrough in my 327 Fed Mag loads. Im a Hodgdon fan but I would be fine never loading H110 in that specific caliber again. It worked well in 357 and 454 Casull too.

If youre not wanting full tilt loads #7 is definitely worth a try and #9 will get you close to enforcer levels.

 

[RealGun]

Hooda,

AA7 is one that I'm looking at. I'm thinking it may be good for the 1,000 fps load, and that I could use 4100/Ramshot Enforcer for the true magnum end of the spectrum.

You've got it. AA#7 is great for mid level lead bullet loads and works in 41 Special also. I skip over #9 and go right to Enforcer/4100 for gas checks or jacketed. These Belgian powders are nice but are so fine that they leak from some equipment and can even cause a slider to jam. Watch closely.

 

[SlowFuse]

They are fine as @RealGun says. If you have a Lee drum get ready for cleanup.

 

[Charlie98]

Jeez... and I thought H110 was bad...