Post by Lee Martin on Feb 15, 2019 19:44:35 GMT -5
Uberti stopped chambering .41 Colt a few years ago, but I found one NIB through a wholesaler. A 3.5" Cimarron Lightning to be exact. Like all Uberti Lightnings, it uses the smaller Model P frame. Quality is A+ on every front.
The .41 Colt (aka .41 Long Colt) dates back to 1877. Originally offered in Colt’s DA Thunderer, it was also found in SAAs, Bisleys, and Army Special DAs. The early guns came with bore diameters between 0.406” – 0.408” and used heeled bullets (outside lubed). In the mid-1890’s, Colt went to 0.400” – 0.401” groove diameter like the .38-40. They also lengthened the brass and switched to 0.386” inside lubed bullets. These were hollow base slugs, similar to Minie balls. Cast from soft lead, the tail upsized to 0.400" under pressure. Factory loads used a 200 gr round nose over black powder. Velocities were in the 700 fps range.
I found a new set of Redding dies and 300 pieces of Starline brass at Graf & Sons. Buffalo Arms sent me a batch of 200 gr RN bullets sized 0.386”. These are hollow base and from what I’m told they tend to shoot better than healed. I loaded 100 with 3.5 grs of Green Dot, sparked by a small pistol primer. I'll find out how it does tomorrow. If the bullets fly decent, I’ll order the same mold from Buffalo Arms.
-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"
The .41 Colt (aka .41 Long Colt) dates back to 1877. Originally offered in Colt’s DA Thunderer, it was also found in SAAs, Bisleys, and Army Special DAs. The early guns came with bore diameters between 0.406” – 0.408” and used heeled bullets (outside lubed). In the mid-1890’s, Colt went to 0.400” – 0.401” groove diameter like the .38-40. They also lengthened the brass and switched to 0.386” inside lubed bullets. These were hollow base slugs, similar to Minie balls. Cast from soft lead, the tail upsized to 0.400" under pressure. Factory loads used a 200 gr round nose over black powder. Velocities were in the 700 fps range.
I found a new set of Redding dies and 300 pieces of Starline brass at Graf & Sons. Buffalo Arms sent me a batch of 200 gr RN bullets sized 0.386”. These are hollow base and from what I’m told they tend to shoot better than healed. I loaded 100 with 3.5 grs of Green Dot, sparked by a small pistol primer. I'll find out how it does tomorrow. If the bullets fly decent, I’ll order the same mold from Buffalo Arms.
-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"
