Longshot is another very nice powder for the 210-215 gr. SWCs. Very accurate and shootable in the 1050-1100 fps range.
Longshot is another very nice powder for the 210-215 gr. SWCs. Very accurate and shootable in the 1050-1100 fps range.
IMR SR-4756...the powder for .38-44 loads...
Were your loads in magnum brass or special?
I have an order of 220 cutting edge solids coming & Longshot is one of the Powders I plan to work some tests with. Actually going to give those bullets a go in special brass myself. Longshot is very new to me though, so starting right from scratch with it. Just curious what kind of charges you (or anyone) is using in their 41's with Longshot.
I've shot lead my whole life til this point, but started playing with a few jacketed bullets just so I've got data logged. I don't know what's going on abroad, but this winter tire shops here have been forced away from lead via govt "bs" in order to be more environmentally friendly ... I figure, should the day come that things turn completely like California, at least I'll have data ready to go on copper bullets.
I intend to settle on something in the 1100-1200fps range. See what happens.
All my loads are in magnum brass. If my powder charge is less than 50% of capacity I usually deep seat the bullets over the shoulder or the ogive, depending on the bullet.
Changing the nose to accept gas checks wouldn't hurt either.
I ended up not changing it just because it's old and some how bordering on sacred.
Maybe some member can help me out. Have been shooting and reloading .41 mag for about 10 years. Its my favorite caliber. Last week I came across 1000 pieces Of Starline .41 special brass at a LGS. Someone ordered it and never picked it up. I need a .41 special load using either W231(HP38) or Titegroup. The bullet I'm using is Missouri Bullets 215 grain Keith style SWC. I looked thru the posts a couldn't locate any using those powders. I'll say Thank You in advance!
I'm fairly new to this forum and haven't read all 62 pages yet on the 41 magnum. I was wondering if anybody knows why they quit using blue dot powder in the 41 magnum I shot it for years I believe my hot load was around 13 grains. a few years back I was in a sporting goods store and saw a sign that said do not use blue dot powder in a 41 magnum. I thought it was strange as I had been using it for over 20 years but I guess it just got too hot is what the factory told me so now I'm using 2400.
Pete... 6.0 of W231 will be 900-950 fps from a 4" barrel with a 215 LSWC...
Mike...what happened is that there was a bunch of published data out there that ended up over top end so the manufacturer just said any use of BD was potentially dangerous. It wasn't just .41 Magnum. Certain selected bullet weights in .357 and .44 Magnum were also targeted due to the same.
I think one of the problems was that back in the 1970s they changed the burning rate of BD making it just a little slower than Unique vs just a little slower than 2400 as it had been.. I had .41 loads that were just smokin' with the original formula and when I bought the next 8# can, which I just ran out of, all of a sudden I have VERY high pressure signs... This was before the internet and it took a while to find out why...
Was never able to get the same velocities with the new formula as the old and it took 30 years to burn up the rest of the can...
Bob
RJM52 Thank You very much for the info will try it out next weekend after I've had a chance to load a few.
Blue Dot loads in the 41 Magnum were originally tested using the old copper crusher analog system, and looked okay. When they were later retested using electronic pressure equipment they discovered some short duration, high pressure spikes during combustion, that the old system wasn't detecting.
Remember: Ammo will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no ammo.
Any of you guys try cutting edge solids in your 41specials? I've got some coming, they'll be my next project through my own special but curious to hear if anyone's already done some development using them.
Looking for 1100fps+ as a bush & backcountry load with their 210 solid. Don't see any reason that can't be done fairly easy.
Excuse me but the only Cutting Edge bullets in solid for a 41 CALIBER ARE THE 220 GR In a special you would be better off with a 180gr (JMHO) But if you go with the 220 gr not reqal sure you can get 1100 fps with a special since the copper projectiles are longer than lead since the weight difference. I have used the Barnes Load Data for the 180gr in the 41 mag but loaded minimum powder charges. Caution I used a Ruger Blackhawk old model that had been customized to a 41 special. In other words it would take the same pressures as a 41 mag. Remember again that a 220 gr copper bullet is quite long. You may hate me for saying this but you have some better options available than Longshot powder. I have nothing against Longshot. I use it for a few things
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |