41 Long Colt reloading

[sdpy]

Hey all,

Long time reader here. Picked up a 1889 colt navy a couple months back, but have been hesitant to start reloading as most of my experience is with rifle ammo. My local gun shop insisted 41 colt (not long colt) would work fine in the gun. I compared it to my starline brass and it looks to be a couple cm shorter with a slightly smaller cast bullet (likely heeled).

Not sure if it's worth testing, or if it's even safe to test for that matter, would like some opinions of firing 41 colt in a long colt chambered revolver.

Cheers.

 

[boxhitch]

.

 

[Alex McKr]

sdpy: It should be perfectly safe to fire .41 Short Colt cartridges, in your revolver. Still...slugging your revolver's bore would be a prudent first step, before attempting the heeled-bullet route. If for no other reason than selecting a properly dimensioned bullet mould.
In which case: Accurate Moulds. Or: Old West Bullet Moulds, are good places to look,
Loading heeled bullets isn't really that hard(I load .38 Short Colt). Though it is a bit different from what modern reloaders are used to. Something to consider, before going down that rabbit hole.
Though brass, bullet molds, reloading dies and other accessories are currently available for the .41 Colt*...It's easier...at least in my opinion... to stick to the Long cartridge your 1889 was designed for.


Al
* See: Old West Bullet Moulds, for selection