New to me 41 L.C. Now ammo...

[tokguy]

A new and expensive addiction

Got it from a fellow CGN'r who got burned on it...but we came to a mutually beneficial agreement.
It likes me more anyhow

I can get it re-nickled locally for 150-200.
100 $ worth of parts from Numrich & perhaps some handmade wooden grips.
Shining and shooting in a couple months.
But...
OK 41L.C. Colt guru's... brass, bullets & dies? Any fav's? I reload in an amateurish way; not scared, just not an expert either.
And if someone had a pic of a strut spring that I might per-use...Numrich doesn't have any and it's one I'll need to fab.

 

[scianna54]

Try coltparts.com, what do you mean with amateurish reloading? 41 LC brass is not available right now or at high cost, just use 38 special but you need the 41 LC die set, you can order at buffaloarms.com but need the 38 special shell holder, as to charge, there are many threads here, Unique works with 3 to 3.5 gr., not much more to say.

 

[H Wally]

I found this site useful for 41LC reloading - kindof the cheap'n'easy method
http://www.dnmsport.com/41LC/41 LONG COLT.htm

As far as bullets, you can choose between hollow base undersized bullets, or the heeled full size bullets. I haven't heard a ton of positive reviews for heeled 41 cal bullets, but I do understand with very pure lead and maybe higher pressures they can perform decently.

I used a hollow based undersized bullet with an extra deep hollow base that worked well in the one gun I had an opportunity to try it in. Once again, pure soft lead was necessary for it to work well. I have no idea if higher pressure would help with accuracy or blow out the skirt... I may have hit a sweet spot by accident.

 

[41 Colt]

I think your crane screw is coming loose in that photo...

I have been using 4.4gr Unique in mine. I have also tried Universal, Blue Dot, 2400 and most recently True Blue. I have found 5.4gr True Blue to be the best, burns much more evenly (extreme spread, standard deviation etc.) then anything else, and is a somewhat low pressure smokeless.

I think Ben Hunchak still has a .41 Colt heeled bullet. If not and you want to cast try Bernie at Old West Molds, he has a few designs. I use Starline brass, Mytic Precsion or Budget Shooter Supply on here should be able to get it for you, and I like the Redding Die set.

 

[starpuss]

REDDING 41LONG COLT 3 DIE STEEL SET $85-95.00 (Works Real nice. i bet i had close to 7 sets of them in this cal in the past. , i sell them with the gun most of the time)​

STARLINE 41 LONG COLT BRASS 100pice $65-75.00 (best brass on the market i say.. i shoot 38 special most of the time. but still like the 41 colt brass)

(i made an order the other day , but brass is on backorder. )

Mystic Precision

PO Box 1245
Summerland, British Columbia V0H 1Z0​

Canada
Phone 250-494-0341
Fax 250-494-9610
info@mysticprecision.com
www.mysticprecision.com


i say you should blue it! and i find Lyman #386178 works best (.387" diameter, 200 gr. HB RN)

 

[tokguy]

Thanks very much guys.
The gun was carefully & temporarily re-assembled for the pic's ( so the screw is most likely loose), LOL. As soon as I get to work(where I'll have time...ironically enough), I'll be dis-assembling it and delving deep into the mysteries of tuning it up ( coffee ...STAT!).
Re-loading, I muck about in it cautiously; but I'm no expert by any means. Mostly low-powered stuff with cast bullets. 38-55, 360 BP express maybe some 9mm in the day ( on this board that's like a dirty secret...it was just a phase; really ).
But I'm leary about fire-forming 38 special. I've got a 38 special and the thought of mixing up the rounds & experiencing catastrophic failure...no thanks.
I'll spend the extra money & buy proper brass. Heck it cost me 75 for 20 pieces of 360 express(it took 2 years to find it) LOL. The dies were the same price!
I'll probably go with the Redding die set and I'm leaning toward a hollow based bullet mold. I cast my own already. Lower pressures...I like the sound of that. Why beat up the old girl?
Warming up the visa card right now.
Again thanks all!

 

[DEZ]

Going with the propper brass is definitly the way to go 38 special brass tends to be a little thicker and will create higher pressures than the proper 41 colt brass