.41 mag reloading

[kmoore]

I posted nearly the same information in the Lounge on a .41 thread. But This is a reloading story so here goes.
Another member on the forum mentioned Starline makes .41 special brass and has loading data. The .41 rem. mag. never had a little brother factory round like the 357/38 spl or 44mag/44spl.
I have loaded some .41 mag lighter (less powerful) but it's still a magnum load. The .41 spl looks like it's been around since 2017 but was new to me several weeks ago.
I looked for more information and found Sierra also has load data in 170gr and 210 gr bullets. There is lots of different powder and loads listed by both Sierra and Starline.
My RCBS .41 mag die set works for the .41 spl after adjustments. Some comments said the mag die set might not crimp or resize the .41 spl cases. Mine does, but I ordered a Redding .41 spl profile crimp die just in case.
I loaded and fired 10 rounds w/o using the Redding die. The bullets stayed seated in the cases. Some said they may walk forward in the unfired cases due to recoil and not enough crimp. Mine did not. The Redding die does put a better crimp on the cases and I test fired 20 of those w/o issues.
My .41spl loads were with 170gr Sierra at listed 900 fps and 210 gr Hornady at 750 fps bullets. The Remington factory 210s listed about 1300 fps.
I have a S&W 57 6 inch bbl. In that handgun It felt like the recoil was about half of the mag loads in both 170 and 210s and those 2 felt about the same. For range practice it makes the gun fun to shoot and not fighting with the magnum recoil and slow back on target time after a shot.

 

[rkrcpa]

Best I can tell I started loading 41 Special back in 1995, at first I used cut down 41 mag cases until I was able to get some "factory" brass from the initial run by Starline. I used an old die set I had laying around without problems except that I had to shorten the seating/crimping die. Eventually I added a Redding Profile Crimp die. Brian Pearce did a two part series in Handloader magazine at the end of 2017 that has quite a bit of load data.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Kmoore, I don't have the same amount of expertise of some here, so I have to ask a question. What kind of gun is yours? The only .41s that I have ever seen were either U.S. Navy pistols or derringers.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Now it's diverting to 41 Long Colt......

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Now it's diverting to 41 Long Colt......

???

 

[GypsmJim]

I may have been the one that commented about .41 Special. I found load data online and copied the page, but I didn't note what the source was.

I am using Lee 175 and 215 lead SWC sized to 0.410. Initially I started working up loads with Unique. Based on the published load data the velocities should have been about 680 and 840, respectively. I don't have a chronograph so I did not get my own results.

My results were "OK", but I felt the accuracy was not as good as .41 Magnum. I have since switched to W231 and tweaked it a bit, and now I am quite happy with the results.

For reloading I use the std magnum decapper / sizer. I bought a magnum Lee Powder thru expander die, plus a factory crimp die, and cut 1/8" off the bottom. They work perfectly.

 

[kmoore]

Kmoore, I don't have the same amount of expertise of some here, so I have to ask a question. What kind of gun is yours? The only .41s that I have ever seen were either U.S. Navy pistols or derringers.

It's the S&W model 57, that's an N frame (large revolver) The caliber is .41 Remington magnum. An in between caliber of .357 mag and .44 mag. The caliber never caught on in popular use most people went with either the 357 mag or 44 mag. Some cops used the .41 mag, mine was a cops gun for years. Frankly it's too large and has too much recoil for me to ever want to use as a duty gun.
It was owned by a friend. It took out 2 crooks and saved my friends life during its years of use. The gun saved my buddy when the gun was taken from him. During the hand-to-hand fight for his life the hammer was bent to the point when the crook pointed it at my friends face and he pulled the trigger it could not fire. That fight was 2 crooks against 1 cop.

 

[kmoore]

I may have been the one that commented about .41 Special. I found load data online and copied the page, but I didn't note what the source was.

I am using Lee 175 and 215 lead SWC sized to 0.410. Initially I started working up loads with Unique. Based on the published load data the velocities should have been about 680 and 840, respectively. I don't have a chronograph so I did not get my own results.

My results were "OK", but I felt the accuracy was not as good as .41 Magnum. I have since switched to W231 and tweaked it a bit, and now I am quite happy with the results.

For reloading I use the std magnum decapper / sizer. I bought a magnum Lee Powder thru expander die, plus a factory crimp die, and cut 1/8" off the bottom. They work perfectly.

Good information, I didn't want to name names without permission. But thanks for your 1st post.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

It's the S&W model 57, that's an N frame (large revolver) The caliber is .41 Remington magnum. An in between caliber of .357 mag and .44 mag. The caliber never caught on in popular use most people went with either the 357 mag or 44 mag. Some cops used the .41 mag, mine was a cops gun for years. Frankly it's too large and has too much recoil for me to ever want to use as a duty gun.
It was owned by a friend. It took out 2 crooks and saved my friends life during its years of use. The gun saved my buddy when the gun was taken from him. During the hand-to-hand fight for his life the hammer was bent to the point when the crook pointed it at my friends face and he pulled the trigger it could not fire. That fight was 2 crooks against 1 cop.

Thank you. I want to see if any are out there.

 

[32shooter]

Thank you. I want to see if any are out there.

Ruger is making the Blackhawk in .41mag. At one time they also made the Redhawk in .41mag.

 

[Richard76]

I have both. cast Lee 215 gr SWC and reload with Unique, I think 8 gr I would have to check. Find them both to be quite comfortable to shoot and accurate

 

[ChrisL]

I am having a 41 special cylinder made for my 41 mag Bisley. When I get it (who knows how long that will be) I'll start a thread on the experience. 41 specials have been made by several custom gunsmiths, notably Bowen. The doner guns have been Ruger medium frame Blackhawks in 357 mag and 6-shot S&W L frames in 357 mag. One of the latter recently sold for upwards of $4500 if my memory serves.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

???

I was referencing your post #3 comment...you mentioned 41 cal Navy .....that would be a 41 Colt/Long Colt......M1892 but since you mentioned it I thought you were in the know.

 

[Joey]

I love the .41 mag. First discovered it in "72, bought my first Ruger SA om Blackhawk, carried it for years deer hunting. I have been lusting after a Redhawk, very hard to find, and gone quickly when they do pop up. Guess my dream gun would be Redhawk in .41 spcl.
I load the 170 and 210 grain Sierra, 215 grain Keith lead. I have also used 210 gr Berry plated with good results, just load them under 1000 fps.
Unique for the Berry's. Very accurate.

 

[Sugar River]

Brian Pearce did a two part series in Handloader magazine at the end of 2017 that has quite a bit of load data.

Does anyone have a copy of this data? I'd be very interested since I've been loading .41 Specials for
6 or 7 years.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I was referencing your post #3 comment...you mentioned 41 cal Navy .....that would be a 41 Colt/Long Colt......M1892 but since you mentioned it I thought you were in the know.

I never owned or shot one. I have only seen some owned by friends. Never had the opportunity to hit the range.

 

[cab32]

.41 mag is a comfortable shooter for me in the following,
Ruger Blackhawk in 7.5 in barrel and Redhawk in same barrel length but have always shot factory ammunition

 

[contender]

Latest issue of "Handloader" magazine. (Feb 2026)

.41 Magnum loads for Revolver & lever Action Rifles."
by
Patrick Meitin

 

[Donnieweps]

I am having a 41 special cylinder made for my 41 mag Bisley. When I get it (who knows how long that will be) I'll start a thread on the experience. 41 specials have been made by several custom gunsmiths, notably Bowen. The doner guns have been Ruger medium frame Blackhawks in 357 mag and 6-shot S&W L frames in 357 mag. One of the latter recently sold for upwards of $4500 if my memory serves.

Why? Just download a 41 Mag?

 

[ChrisL]

Does anyone have a copy of this data? I'd be very interested since I've been loading .41 Specials for
6 or 7 years.

Ditto!

 

[Justice B. Swift]

Here is some data that I saved from an old Shooting Times article and also from the Starline Brass web site quit some time ago. I make no claims to performance or safety of the data, nor do accept any responsibility for it's use. If it helps you, great!
I am sorry for the format. The spreadsheet lost it's column alignment in the translation. follow the order of the heading and realize that not all data is listed for each load.

.41 Special (Cowboy Wildcat)
# Data From SHOOTING TIMES Magazine
$ Data From STARLINE BRASS web site
Caliber Bullet gr. - Type - Brand - Powder - Brand - Charge - Primer - Case - Velocity - Mzl. Energy

155 gr. HP Hornady $ Unique Alliant 8.0 gr. Fed 150 1000 fps.
155 gr. HP Hornady $ Unique Alliant 11.0 gr. Fed 150 1375 fps.

170 gr. JHC Sierra $ Unique Alliant 8.0 gr. 1050 fps. 415 ft/lbs.
170 gr. JHC Sierra Unique Alliant 9.0 gr 1150 fps. 500 ft/lbs.
170 gr. JHC Sierra $ Unique Alliant 10. 0 gr. 1250 fps. 590 ft/lbs.

180 gr. HB-SWC Speer $ Unique Alliant 7.0 gr. Fed 150 875 fps.
180 gr. GDHP Speer # Power Pistol Alliant 8.6 gr. Rem 1120 fps. 500 ft/lbs.

195 gr. CSWC Lee # Trail Boss IMR 6.5 gr. Rem 985 fps. 420 ft/lbs.

200 gr. JHP Speer # Unique Alliant 7.4 gr. Win 1100 fps. 537 ft/lbs.
200 gr. CSWC Laser Cast # 2400 * Alliant 13.0 gr. Win 1070 fps. 510 ft/lbs.
200 gr. JHP Speer # 2400 * Alliant 14.0 gr. Win 1190 fps.
200 gr. JHP Speer # H-4227 Hodgdon 15.0 gr. Win 1050 fps. 490 ft/lbs.

215 gr. CSWC RimRock $ Unique Alliant 6.0 gr. Wolf LP 840 fps. 335 ft/lbs.
215 gr. CSWC Laser Cast # Trail Boss IMR 5.9 gr. Win 885 fps. 375 ft/lbs.
215 gr. CSWC Laser Cast # Power Pistol Alliant 7.4 gr. CCI 350 1045 fps. 521 ft/lbs.
215 gr. LSWC Bull-X # Blue Dot Hercules 9.5 gr. CCI 350 1065 fps. 540 ft/lbs.

220 gr. JHP Speer # Unique Alliant 7.3 gr. CCI 350 1050 fps. 538 ft/lbs.
220 gr. JHP Speer # 2400 * Hercules 14.0 gr. CCI 350 1165 fps. 662 ft/lbs.

 

[turd]

210 grain LSWC w/8.0 grains Unique works for me. Never understood why the .41 Special.

 

[s4s4u]

Never understood why the .41 Special

Same can be said about the 41 Magnum....

 

[s4s4u]

I am having a 41 special cylinder made for my 41 mag Bisley.

 

[Hertervillian]

As too why the special. If you are rather unorganized it makes it quite simple to find your low power loads vs full power.

I use the system for my 327 Fed. I don’t need it for the 41 I use different bullets for low power vs high power.

 

[s4s4u]

Why? Just download a 41 Mag?

Or just slide the specials into the mag cylinder....like 38's in a 357....

 

[Justice B. Swift]

To help others to understand the reason for the 41 Special, it was developed to satisfy a niche for Cowboy Action shooters. It allows the better use of a .41 caliber six shooter by providing a smaller case volume more suited to light powder charges of modern smokeless propellants, used at reduced velocities common to the sport. In addition, the shorter "Special" case makes ejection more efficient particularly in Ruger six shooters where the ejector rod doesn't travel far enough to clear a longer magnum case free of the cylinder. I have gone to shooting the .45 Schofield in my .45 Colt revolvers for the same reason, and they will function fine in my companion .45 Colt rifle.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Or just slide the specials into the mag cylinder....like 38's in a 357....

But But But that other thread said.......