Is there a accurate sub-sonic .41 mag rd.

[Uncle Ethan]

I have two MD57 S&W .41's -one w/6"bbl, the other with a 8-3/8" bbl. Is there an accurate sub-sonic [below 1100fps] load for these revolvers? I could cut down brass 1/10 of an inch and work up .41 sp loads, but I would prefer one of the newer powders that will give good performance at lower velocities. Thks for your help.

 

[Leftoverdj]

Unc, the old police load is subsonic. 7.5 to 8.0 grains of Unique under a 210-215 SWC for about 1000 fps.

I have not gotten much accuracy under that level except with a 220 HBWC from an obsolete Lyman mould.

 

[Uncle Ethan]

What about a reduced load and seating the bullet farther into the case instead of trimming cases? Thanks for the help.

 

[Leftoverdj]

Unc, your bullets have to be crimped. Even down at 800 fps, you still have .45 ACP level recoil. Trim and you get a jump from the case to the throat. Some guns will tolerate that with accuracy and some won't, at least when it comes to shooting .38 Special in .357 chambers.

I have not worked at reduced loads in .41 Mag real seriously, but it is something I have piddled with off and on for 25 years. Never really got anywhere. If I give it another go, I'll look for the fluffiest mid speed pistol powder I can find. Should be pretty easy to find with the Lee manual's density chart.

Likely to be someone along who knows more about this than I do. I've only had a couple of .41 Mags and one was a Model 58 for which I was only interested in police level loads that shot to the fixed sights.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I load 210-gr. lead SWCs to about 950 fps with WW 231 for use in my Model 58.

They're accurate, but with the fixed sights bullet drop is a bit of a problem.

If I drop much below 950 fps., though, accuracy tails off rapidly.

 

[m0ntels]

I want some .41 HBWC

Only seen them once and the guy wanted like a buck a piece for them.

Randy

 

[Uncle Ethan]

Randy, maybe LeftoverDJ could give us the number off his obsolete Lyman mold and we could build our own! I have some wheel weights and some pure lead, as well as linotype.

 

[Leftoverdj]

Lyman 41027 Cast them 50/50 WW/Pb or softer.

Lee will do special runs, and I like Lee's HB system a lot better than Lyman's. Need to order 25 to get the price reasonable.

If anyone is interested in doing a group buy, I'm in, will supply samples to take measurements from, and will walk you through the process, but I've got a group buy running and don't feel like doing another right now.

 

[m0ntels]

I'd like to cast so I could make slugs too, but I dont really have a place to cook up some molten lead. I got all the free wheel weights I could ever want too...I work at a dealership. Found a local caster that makes a bunch of nice bullets for about $15-18 per 500 which has been holding me over. Maybe I should find a mold and see how much he'd want to do up a big batch. I really dont see a big demand for these things, but I love em in 38, so why not 41? Never hurts to ask I guess. I'd buy a few molds if just to hold on to though. I'd like to smack the first person who ever said reloading saves you money...it only leads to an expensive addiction in other things

Randy *mmmm...big bore wadcutters*

*PS. I've shot the 8.0 Unique under 220 LSWC load with good success...first time I ever hit a 100yd target with a pistol

 

[MADISON]

Sub-Sonic .41 Magnum

I have three [3] loads. You can use either the 210 or 220 grain bullet:
17.5 grains of 2400
8.0 grains of Unique [Duplicates the old police carry load.]
5.0 grains of Unique. My PPC load.