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Post by Encore64 on Sept 14, 2016 16:42:40 GMT -5
I'll admit I've never understood much about this round. But, my undying love for the 44 Special kept it in the back of my mind.
Fast forward to Starline introducing correctly headstamped brass. It moved up on my list.
This month Brian Pearce's article in Handloader Magazine was an eye opener. He promises next issue will have a full array of data.
With the recent purchase of a FA-97 in 41 Magnum, this now has a place on my bench.
When bullets are too long for Magnum brass they can just be loaded in the Special cases. With the correct data of course.
Opinions and Experiences are sought...
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eskimo36
.375 Atomic
Oklahoma
Posts: 2,049
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Post by eskimo36 on Sept 14, 2016 16:47:00 GMT -5
I have the 41 Special on my agenda too. I don't even have good reasoning like you do for adding it. I just want it.
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Post by fanofthefortyone on Sept 14, 2016 17:34:58 GMT -5
Finally! Some more fans.
Ronnie
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Post by bushog on Sept 14, 2016 18:10:33 GMT -5
Awesome cartridge.....
Don't own any at the moment but have owned a Clements GP-100, a Harton OM Blackhawk and a Harton OM Single Six all chambered in .41 Special.
I think when I have another one built it will be on a OM flat top with a 4" barrel...and I will...
The Single Six was (is) waaay cool but you really sacrifice on velocity (850fps) with the small platform.
1200fps is easily doable with 215gn bullets in the mid-frame guns or the GP-100 with little recoil.
JMO
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Post by fanofthefortyone on Sept 14, 2016 18:21:15 GMT -5
3 that I own, Single six 5 shot 41 Special by Alan Harton  S&W 586 in 41 special by Hamilton Bowen  And an OMBH by Andy Horvath in 41 special,  Ronnie |
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Post by z1r on Sept 14, 2016 18:22:47 GMT -5
I recently traded for a 3 screw .357 and a Bowen Long cylinder with the intent of building a .41 Mag. The goal is to shoot 265's out of it. Come to find out that the cylinder will be just a hair too short for the bullet I selected. So, I could find a new bullet, or I could go the .41 Special route. My intent was to load the 265's to right around 1000 fps. Something the special is capable of. Course, I could just chamber for the 41 mag and shoot those longer bullets seated in special cases.
Hmmm.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 14, 2016 18:29:13 GMT -5
I recently traded for a 3 screw .357 and a Bowen Long cylinder with the intent of building a .41 Mag. The goal is to shoot 265's out of it. Come to find out that the cylinder will be just a hair too short for the bullet I selected. So, I could find a new bullet, or I could go the .41 Special route. My intent was to load the 265's to right around 1000 fps. Something the special is capable of. Course, I could just chamber for the 41 mag and shoot those longer bullets seated in special cases. Hmmm. My thoughts exactly. |
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Post by jimtx on Sept 14, 2016 18:39:37 GMT -5
I love it, my cut down 41mag BH has mostly 41spl put thru it. I've been waiting for Brian's article since he mentioned it, a little let down by part 1 but I have hopes for part 2 with load data and hopefully "special" load data with lite loads, If I want something faster I'll shoot 41mag!
Some GS's won't build them on S6 or SS6's, If you keep the loads as "special" 170-215"gr under 1000FPS IMO I think would be fine. S&W 357 built into them are nice carry guns, but to me it looks most "at home" in an OM BH. If possible I think a steel frame Colt NF or peacemaker would look cool as well. |
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 14, 2016 18:44:47 GMT -5
I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I want 41 Special data loaded to the same pressure as the 41 Magnum.
My interest is the long nosed Keith style bullets and my favorite, the TruShot 265 grn LFN.
Hope we both get the data we want in the next issue. I expect we will.
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Post by toroflow on Sept 14, 2016 19:59:34 GMT -5
What are you folks that are reloading for 41 Special using for a roll crimp? I am thinking of cutting a 41 mag seating die off about .250". I have not tried any of this yet, but looking for a solution for when I do commit to 41 Special. Thanks.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 14, 2016 20:07:41 GMT -5
I found a NIB set of Lyman 41 Magnum / 41 AE dies for $10. Crimps fine on the shorter cartridges.
I'll likely add a Lee Powder Thru die and stick with them.
Hornady still makes these die sets and they should work fine as well.
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Post by mhblaw on Sept 15, 2016 14:00:41 GMT -5
Hornaday New Dimension dies work for both. Taffin had an article on loads for the 41 Special. I have two by Bowen on OMBH's, one with a Bisley frame. Those two are probably my most popular shooters out of the many calibers I load and shoot.
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Post by fanofthefortyone on Sept 15, 2016 14:06:07 GMT -5
I had a local machine shop trim a die for me.
Ronnie
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Post by rjm52 on Sept 15, 2016 14:22:20 GMT -5
Always wanted to try a real .41 Special...that hope was about to be realized a few years ago when USFA brought out their Shooting Master and was to be in what they called .41 Short Mag...better known as .41 Special. From what I was told while have one of my guns fixed at the factory Brian Pearce was one of those who was really pushing USFAs to make guns in the round. Unfortunately USFA went under before any .41s were produced...but I did stumble across a NIB .357 SM and sent it to Mr. Clements for conversion to .41 Special...so the dream lived...  Two other factory produced guns are also really better off as .41 Specials...the Taurus Trackers and FA 97...as both have much shorter than normal cylinders.... These are the loads that I have loaded so far that were just posted on the Campfire... www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/11436207/41_Special#Post11436207No reason that the .41 Special can't be loaded up to the same pressure level that the .41 Magnum is... Bob |
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 15, 2016 15:20:02 GMT -5
Good posts and I won't argue the point of short cylinders. But, having the 45 Colt version for a while now, I have some bullets that are too long.
That being said, there are plenty of great bullets that work just fine.
I've never lost much sleep over what won't work or what I don't have. Too busy enjoying what works and what the Lord has blessed me with.
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