.41 Mag Powder Recommendations

General_Tso · July 7, 2004, 10:04 PM

Hey, folks.

Any recommendations for a good powder pushing a 210-grain Hornady XTP Hollowpoint? I don't have the money do too much experimenting, so I'd like some feedback from you guys.

steveno · July 8, 2004, 02:54 PM

H-110 for jacketed bullets and Unique for cast bullets. I have never used Unique with jacketed bullets but it would probably be ok also

General_Tso · July 8, 2004, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the imput, Steveno. I appreciate it.

srsmith · July 8, 2004, 10:45 PM

For full power loads with jacketed bullets, H110 is the powder of choice.
Use an aggressive crimp and a mag primer.
The 210 XTP is a great deer hunting bullet.
With 22 gr of H110, my chronograph reads about 1380 fps from a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk.

To approximate the old "police load", I use 6.3 gr of TiteGroup.
This drives the Berry 210 gr plated bullet at
about 880 fps in the Ruger and about 800 fps in a 4" S&W M58.
A nice plinking and target load.

Be safe and have fun !

General_Tso · July 9, 2004, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the imput, I really appreciate it!

Jbar4Ranch · July 9, 2004, 11:47 PM

Paco Kelly claims Blue Dot is the very best powder available for the .41 mag. In 4 different .41's, I've found it peaks too quickly and I can't achieve the velocities that Paco is claiming without excessive pressure. I get much better results with 20.0 grains of 2400 and a cast 220 grain SWC.

WESHOOT2 · July 10, 2004, 09:16 AM

IMNSLE I've found in my gun (5.5" Redhawk):

Most accurate = AA9
Most velocity = W296 (my H110 reached its max sooner)
Most fun = Universal Clays (210g LSWC, 7.3g)

norielX · July 10, 2004, 01:52 PM

Just started loading for .41 mag as well, and I'm still in load development with AA #9. I haven't been able to get out to the range and test, so unfortunately I'm stuck at this stage. I'll be shooting out of my 8" and change M57.

Majic · July 13, 2004, 02:25 AM

I've done quite well with AA#9, but overall I get the best of all worlds with H-110 in full power loads. Unique is great with what I call .41 special loads (AA#5 makes a good substitute with a little adjusting). I've even found an insane plinker with AA#2. Deadly accurate, no recoil, but I can't recommend it to anyone as you have to be really carefull because of the possibility of detonation.

**Mike Irwin** · July 13, 2004, 08:56 AM

WW 231 for moderate lead loads.

AA 7 for hotter lead loads and moderate jacketed loads.

WW 296 for jacketed thumpers.

General_Tso · July 14, 2004, 12:31 PM

For the time being, I decided to go H110, because--at least according to my manual--it seemed to be a good one stop shopping for the 210 gr. XTPs and heavy cast bullets should I load some of those too. I appreciate all the help, I'll probably use a lot of your suggestions soon once I get a little more comfortable with reloading and branch out a bit.

steveno · July 14, 2004, 02:53 PM

I don't know how many pounds of H-110 I have shot in 41 mag's over the years but it has been a lot. for heavy jacketed bullet loads it is probably the best. I bought my first 41 mag ( 6.5 ruger blackhawk) back in the early 1980's and I have had (and still have) several other 41 mag's. what can't be done with a 41 mag probably needs to be done with a rifle.

THE .41 MAN · July 14, 2004, 05:28 PM

For hunting loads, I use a lot of W296. I got a real good deal on some kegs of it. For the medium loads, I use Unique by the keg also. At present I'm experimenting with Lil' Gun. Have tried Bullseye for slow gallery loads also.

General_Tso · July 14, 2004, 07:16 PM

Quote:

what can't be done with a 41 mag probably needs to be done with a rifle.

You know, that was part of my reasoning when I chose a .41 Mag barrel for my Encore. Here in Ohio, we can only use straight-walled cartridges (.357 Mag and larger) in a handgun. You can use rounds like .454, .500 S&W, or .45-70, for example. I was going to get a .454, but I wanted to practice a ton and I thought it might beat me up too much. When I move, I'll probably be able to use bottle-necked cartridges in my Encore so if I really need something beefier I'll get something like the .410 GNR, which 41 Man mentioned in another of my threads, or something a little more conventional--or just use one of my rifles.

I've had more than one gun store know-it-all criticize my choice of calibers, but I'm not worried that any whitetails will say in their last dying gasp, "You wussy, you should have got a .44."

**Mike Irwin** · July 15, 2004, 12:27 AM

H110 and WW296 are the same powder, packaged for sale by different companies.

What one does, the other will do.

General_Tso · July 15, 2004, 11:51 AM

Mike,

Oh, I didn't know that. That's interesting. There's a lot of nuances to reloading.

--Erich

**Mike Irwin** · July 15, 2004, 02:33 PM

Loading data is NOT interchangable, though.

steveno · July 15, 2004, 03:43 PM

the last time I seen the both of the powders they definitely did not look the same. H-110 was a much finer grain powder

**Mal H** · July 15, 2004, 05:22 PM

Mike speaks true, as usual.

At this very instant I am looking at small piles of H-110 and WW296 using a magnifying glass. They are indistinguishable from each other. The grains are not very uniform in size for both types. They appear as small flattened blobs and are very dark to black in color.

This subject has been brought up numerous times in the past. Both powders are produced by the same company and delivered to both WW and Hodgdon. However, that company has changed names often - Olin, Primex, and now St. Marks unless it has changed names again.

One of these days I'm going to load up 2 groups of .44 Mags with the exact same amount of both powders and chronograph them. That will remove the differences (different bullets, different cases, different guns/barrel lengths, different weather, etc.) that account for the slightly different loads you will find in the manuals. One of these days ....

General_Tso · July 15, 2004, 07:57 PM

So why is the loading data different?

**Mike Irwin** · July 15, 2004, 08:52 PM

The same reason why different reloading manuals have different loads for the exact same powder.

Those many, many variables that are inherent in the process.

Each company uses different equipment, different components, and different people to develope the loads.

General_Tso · July 15, 2004, 09:47 PM

Okay, that makes sense to me. Thanks, Mike.

**Mal H** · July 15, 2004, 10:36 PM

and yet

I guess my last paragraph wasn't as clear to others as it appeared to be to me.

**Mike Irwin** · July 15, 2004, 11:45 PM

You're an explanatory legend in your own mind...

MADISON · August 12, 2004, 01:36 PM

I have fired a .41 Magnum, almost from it's inseption and, reloaded for it since 1970. I have found:
IMR 4227 is too hot foor a S&W but, not a Ruger.
2400 or 800X is ok for both guns.
Here are the loads I use:
5.0 gr of UNIQUE [ppc LOAD].
8.0 GR OF unique [Duplicates the "Old Police Load".
17.5 gr of 2400 [A mid to light load, depending on Ruger or my S&W.]

July 7, 2004, 10:04 PM	#1
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	.41 Mag Powder Recommendations Hey, folks. Any recommendations for a good powder pushing a 210-grain Hornady XTP Hollowpoint? I don't have the money do too much experimenting, so I'd like some feedback from you guys. __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 8, 2004, 03:07 PM	#3
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	Thanks for the imput, Steveno. I appreciate it. __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 9, 2004, 11:47 PM	#6
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	Paco Kelly claims Blue Dot is the very best powder available for the .41 mag. In 4 different .41's, I've found it peaks too quickly and I can't achieve the velocities that Paco is claiming without excessive pressure. I get much better results with 20.0 grains of 2400 and a cast 220 grain SWC. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

July 10, 2004, 09:16 AM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	"Push" vs 'Choices'..... IMNSLE I've found in my gun (5.5" Redhawk): Most accurate = AA9 Most velocity = W296 (my H110 reached its max sooner) Most fun = Universal Clays (210g LSWC, 7.3g) __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 10, 2004, 01:52 PM	#8
norielX Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 164	Just started loading for .41 mag as well, and I'm still in load development with AA #9. I haven't been able to get out to the range and test, so unfortunately I'm stuck at this stage. I'll be shooting out of my 8" and change M57. __________________ -- norielX

July 8, 2004, 02:54 PM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	H-110 for jacketed bullets and Unique for cast bullets. I have never used Unique with jacketed bullets but it would probably be ok also

July 8, 2004, 10:45 PM	#4
srsmith Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 36	For full power loads with jacketed bullets, H110 is the powder of choice. Use an aggressive crimp and a mag primer. The 210 XTP is a great deer hunting bullet. With 22 gr of H110, my chronograph reads about 1380 fps from a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk. To approximate the old "police load", I use 6.3 gr of TiteGroup. This drives the Berry 210 gr plated bullet at about 880 fps in the Ruger and about 800 fps in a 4" S&W M58. A nice plinking and target load. Be safe and have fun !

July 9, 2004, 09:18 AM	#5
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	Thanks for the imput, I really appreciate it! __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 13, 2004, 02:25 AM	#9
Majic Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3,888	I've done quite well with AA#9, but overall I get the best of all worlds with H-110 in full power loads. Unique is great with what I call .41 special loads (AA#5 makes a good substitute with a little adjusting). I've even found an insane plinker with AA#2. Deadly accurate, no recoil, but I can't recommend it to anyone as you have to be really carefull because of the possibility of detonation.

July 13, 2004, 08:56 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	WW 231 for moderate lead loads. AA 7 for hotter lead loads and moderate jacketed loads. WW 296 for jacketed thumpers. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 14, 2004, 12:31 PM	#11
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	For the time being, I decided to go H110, because--at least according to my manual--it seemed to be a good one stop shopping for the 210 gr. XTPs and heavy cast bullets should I load some of those too. I appreciate all the help, I'll probably use a lot of your suggestions soon once I get a little more comfortable with reloading and branch out a bit. __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 14, 2004, 02:53 PM	#12
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	I don't know how many pounds of H-110 I have shot in 41 mag's over the years but it has been a lot. for heavy jacketed bullet loads it is probably the best. I bought my first 41 mag ( 6.5 ruger blackhawk) back in the early 1980's and I have had (and still have) several other 41 mag's. what can't be done with a 41 mag probably needs to be done with a rifle.

July 14, 2004, 05:28 PM	#13
THE .41 MAN Member Join Date: January 3, 2000 Location: PRK, USA Posts: 31	.41Magnum loads For hunting loads, I use a lot of W296. I got a real good deal on some kegs of it. For the medium loads, I use Unique by the keg also. At present I'm experimenting with Lil' Gun. Have tried Bullseye for slow gallery loads also. __________________ THE .41 MAN HAVE MORE FUN WITH A .41

July 15, 2004, 12:27 AM	#15
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	H110 and WW296 are the same powder, packaged for sale by different companies. What one does, the other will do. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 15, 2004, 11:51 AM	#16
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	Mike, Oh, I didn't know that. That's interesting. There's a lot of nuances to reloading. --Erich __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 15, 2004, 02:33 PM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Loading data is NOT interchangable, though. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 15, 2004, 03:43 PM	#18
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	the last time I seen the both of the powders they definitely did not look the same. H-110 was a much finer grain powder

July 15, 2004, 05:22 PM	#19
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	Mike speaks true, as usual. At this very instant I am looking at small piles of H-110 and WW296 using a magnifying glass. They are indistinguishable from each other. The grains are not very uniform in size for both types. They appear as small flattened blobs and are very dark to black in color. This subject has been brought up numerous times in the past. Both powders are produced by the same company and delivered to both WW and Hodgdon. However, that company has changed names often - Olin, Primex, and now St. Marks unless it has changed names again. One of these days I'm going to load up 2 groups of .44 Mags with the exact same amount of both powders and chronograph them. That will remove the differences (different bullets, different cases, different guns/barrel lengths, different weather, etc.) that account for the slightly different loads you will find in the manuals. One of these days ....

July 15, 2004, 07:57 PM	#20
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	Dumb Question So why is the loading data different? __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 15, 2004, 08:52 PM	#21
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	The same reason why different reloading manuals have different loads for the exact same powder. Those many, many variables that are inherent in the process. Each company uses different equipment, different components, and different people to develope the loads. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 15, 2004, 09:47 PM	#22
General_Tso Member Join Date: August 14, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 61	Okay, that makes sense to me. Thanks, Mike. __________________ --General Tso "Now, you know why they call me 'Dirty Harry': Every dirty job that comes along."

July 15, 2004, 10:36 PM	#23
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	and yet I guess my last paragraph wasn't as clear to others as it appeared to be to me.

July 15, 2004, 11:45 PM	#24
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	You're an explanatory legend in your own mind... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 12, 2004, 01:36 PM	#25
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	.41 Mag Powder Recommendations I have fired a .41 Magnum, almost from it's inseption and, reloaded for it since 1970. I have found: IMR 4227 is too hot foor a S&W but, not a Ruger. 2400 or 800X is ok for both guns. Here are the loads I use: 5.0 gr of UNIQUE [ppc LOAD]. 8.0 GR OF unique [Duplicates the "Old Police Load". 17.5 gr of 2400 [A mid to light load, depending on Ruger or my S&W.]