414 SuperMag project

[Lee Martin]

I worked on my 414 SuperMag El Dorado yesterday and thought I'd post some pictures:

Completed cylinder prior to heat-treating and polishing:



Post-heat treating and cleaned-up:



I'm ordering the barrel blank today so things will be on hold for a few weeks (turned out I didn't have as much 41 blank as I thought). Barrel length will be 9" even with a Weigand base and blade. I still need to install the rear sight and clean-up the hammer scuffs (the inside of the frame will also be smoothed so it doesn't reoccur).

I'm really glad I'm doing this on a Chimney Rock El Dorado. Nothing against Ruger Maxs, but you can't beat the actions on those old NC El Dorados. In fact, the trigger on this one scales 3/4 of a pound.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[kings6]

Lee, will this gun stay withthe factory style grip frame or will you undertake a bisley style conversion?

[Lee Martin]

It'll stay factory El Dorado. Adapting a Bisley gripframe would be a ton of work. Plus it wouldn't mate well with the El Dorado hammer.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[hyvltge]

Thanks Lee for the update and pics.... I still hate you though.

[sixshooter]

Cool. Was it a 357 or 375 originally? And did you just rebore the cylinder?

[Lee Martin]

Originally a 357 Maximum. I kept that cylinder as is and built the 414 from scratch.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Deleted]

Tell me that isn't your living room carpet Lee

[Lee Martin]

Feb 8, 2011 16:38:32 GMT -5 @bigbore454 said:

Tell me that isn't your living room carpet Lee

No, but ironically that was part of my grandparents old living room carpet....my dad cut a piece and uses it as a workbench mat.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[Aggie01]

And here I sit with this Bisley .357 max, a prewarning .41 barrel, and no play money .

Any chance you are gonna really wring this one out and give us another of your excellent articles exploring the potential of the round?

[Lee Martin]

John...I'll definitely work-up load data and publish chronograph results. There're a couple of 414 SuperMag articles on the web, but most only cover 210 - 260 grain bullets. I plan on shooting 295 - 335 grain slugs at moderate pressure. The goal is 1,200 fps but without all the pressure you'd generate to hit that in the standard 41 case.

I'll keep you posted.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[jayhawker]

Lee,
Amazing work.
Jayhawker Bob