Heavy .41 mag bullets

[redhawk41]

I recently purchased some 265 grain bullets from Cast Performance for my .41 mag redhawk. i plan on loading these to use as backup bear medicine while in the woods. Any experience, recommendations, opinions on heavy bullets in the .41 mag?

 

[redhawk41]

since this one has sat in the rafters for a while ...

i thought i would make a report.

currently i load these bullets over 18.5 gr of win 296, working into this load using data provided by Cast Performance http://www.castperformance.com/

recoil is stout (left grip marks in my hand) and accuracy is, well, they seem accurate but i need more practice (3" groups at 10 meters). i suppose this is sufficient for the intended use.

i would like to record some chronograph readings and perform some penetration tests into wet newspaper, but have not had the time or opportunity to date. if i had to guess i would put velocity in the 1200 fps range (~850 ft-lbs).

all-in-all i am quite satisfied with this heavy .41 caliber thumper.

 

[BillCA]

Whoa there son!

Cast Performance lists 18.0 grains as the load for WW296, not 18.5 when using their 265gr bullet!

Have you tried the Federal 250gr CastCore .41 Mag? 1250fps at 867 thump-pounds sounds just like what you need to punch authoritative holes in bears.

 

[redhawk41]

BillCA, the load data that came with the bullets says:

Only starting load data is given.

i worked up from 18.0 to 20.0 (this time, no pressure signs) and found 18.5 to be the best compromise between accuracy and recoil. i am pretty sure i won't try anything higher than 20.

i'll tell you what, after shootin' these and then shootin' the 215 gr cast wadcutters over ~7 gr W231, they almost feel like a .22!