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41 colt

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 3:35 am
by English Mtn Gunsmith
Has anyone ever loaded 41 colt? It's a 41 caliber healed bullet. Both the bore and od if the brass is .410". I have a client that's wanting to build some rounds to shoot his 1900 build date colt new army.

Re: 41 colt

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 4:17 am
by 7000grain
Buffalo Arms has brass in stock but you can form from 38 spl/357 mag with some work. https://www.buffaloarms.com/41-colt-sta ... 1colt.html

If forming from .38 Special:
1. Anneal cases to prevent splitting during neck expansion
2. Expand necks gradually using a Redding .41 Colt die
3. Trim to ~0.93” length

Midsouth has dies available: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ ... -3-die-set

Bullets:

• Hollow-base (HB):
• 185–200gr soft lead (20:1 alloy) for bore diameters ≤0.401”
• Rapine 386195 HB (185gr) or Lyman 386178 HB (175–200gr)
• Heeled-bullets:
• Required for older revolvers with 0.406”–0.408” groove diameters
• NEI 205-41LC (200gr) or custom lathe-turned designs

Ideal/Lyman produced some well-regarded moulds for the 41 Colt:
• 386178: 0.386” diameter, 200gr round nose lead, hollow-base bullet
• Recommended for 41 Long Colt. This is the one I have used.
• Use very soft alloy for best results
• 386177: 0.388”/0.406” diameter, 196gr round nose lead, heel-base bullet
• Designed for 41 Long Colt
• 386176: 0.388”/0.406” diameter, 163gr round nose lead, heel-base bullet
• Originally for 41 Short Colt but can work in 41 Long Colt

Since it's original you want to use FFFg. I've read fill case and compress. Mine is a conversion so I use modern powder and follow recipe in Lyman book.

Re: 41 colt

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 2:56 pm
by English Mtn Gunsmith
Thank you. I saw that buffalo arma has brass and bullets. Starline also makes brass and have it in stock. Good call on using bp on a gun that old. I'm going to have to do some research and see if it requires it. Being built in 1900 it very well might be bp only.

Re: 41 colt

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 3:52 pm
by 7000grain
I would only shoot BP in that.