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.41 "SS"

#1 User is offline   John Z Sr 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 08:55 AM

Had an idea to try out something new and was looking for some feedback. I have a 6" S&W 57 that has been milled for moonclips and love the gun. Thought I would try and trim down some .41 Mag brass to "special" lenght, like .357/ .38 and .44mag/.44 spec. so they would load into the cylinder a little faster. Figure I'll call them ".41 SS" for short special. Has anyone tried this before? I plan to only load for ICORE or USPSA minor, 125 ish power factor and thought Trail Boss might be a good safe powder to start using 195 gr. cast lead bullets,, any feedback would be welcomed

#2 User is offline   A63111 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 10:48 AM

Years ago I did this for 38/357. Found great accuracy using the 38 load data in a 357 case, The extra length got it closer to the forcing cone. Didn't seem to mind the extra case length. This was a very pleasant target load at the time.

#3 User is offline   Toolguy 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 11:00 AM

Should be fine with a light target load. WW231 would be another good powder. A lot of people shoot 38 short colt in 357 chambers with
fine accuracy. I've shot 38 special in 357 chambers for 30 years and get very small groups at 50 yards.
Warren Moore

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#4 User is offline   Duane Thomas 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 11:05 AM

Years ago I read an article written by guy who did this, and had a Smith & Wesson Model 686 rechambered (new barrel and 5-shot cylinder) for the resulting cartridge. He even had ".357 Magnum" ground off the barrel and replaced (somewhat amateurishly, I thought) with ".41 Special". As I recall, he was quite pleased with his loads and gun.
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#5 User is offline   John Z Sr 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 11:24 AM

Thank you for replies so far, now all I have to do is trim up a bunch more and start my load developement. As I get data, I will post in case others might want to try this out

#6 User is offline   JeffWard 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 12:50 PM

... hmmmm... .460 S&W Magnum X-Frame, shooting 45 Colt... soft!

Anyone make a legal holster?

LOL
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#7 User is offline   Joe4d 

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Posted 16 November 2009 - 02:42 PM

You have just reinvented the .41 colt.

#8 User is offline   Resjudicata 

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Posted 17 November 2009 - 05:00 AM

What do you guys use to trim brass like this?

Thanks,
Chris
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#9 User is offline   David.Hylton 

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Posted 17 November 2009 - 05:56 AM

There have been several articles written about the .41 special. An internet search may turn up load data.

There was a gunsmith converting Ruger Single-Sixes to 5 shot revolvers for the cartridge. I've thought about it for the fun of it.

It would be like a hot .41 Colt, but the Colt used a heeled bullet like a 22 rimfire.

Dave


http://www.reloading...1%20Special.htm
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#10 User is offline   John Z Sr 

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Posted 17 November 2009 - 04:34 PM

Been trimming on a Hornady trimmer, powered by my arm that now is too weak to hold up a 6" N- frame. Chamfer/debur on RCBS ELECTRIC case prep machine

#11 User is offline   Toolguy 

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Posted 17 November 2009 - 04:45 PM

I use an RCBS Pwer Trimmer. Want to borrow it?
Warren Moore

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#12 User is offline   John Z Sr 

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Posted 17 November 2009 - 06:26 PM

Appreciate the offer. Got about 80 pieces done now and loaded up for some range testing/ chrono work, hopefully this weekend. Once I have some good data to share, I'll post it incase anyone else wants to give this a try.

#13 User is offline   whiskeytango 

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Posted 19 November 2009 - 10:20 AM

I have a 357PD and was wanting to do the same thing as you. There's a guy over on the smith and wesson forum that had a good bit of Starline brass that was stamped "41 Special". I think he had around 10k cases or so. The only problem that you run into is your dies- they may not be set up to accept such a short case. When I looked into doing the 41 special, I was going to have to get my expander die milled down and I think my seating die too.

Right now, I'm using regular .41mag brass with a 225g RNFP with about 4.0g of Trail Boss and it's a pleasant load to shoot in a titanium frame gun.

Here's where I get my bullets
http://www.betterbul...KSS_Pricing.pdf

Here's the brass link
http://smith-wessonf...cial-brass.html

You do have to be a member at the SW forum to view the post I believe.

#14 User is offline   John Z Sr 

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Posted 19 November 2009 - 04:47 PM

Thanks WhiskeyTango, hope you can come up to NC and shoot the ICORE match in October, John
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