41 mag Big Boy Steel and a few friends go to the range.

[Hatchdog]

First shots today with the BBS 41 and all went well. About 40 when I arrived and 55 by the time I left with no wind. Beautiful sunny day, nice to be out. All shots from a bench at 50 yards.

I shot the 41 for load development with four laddered loads using H110 and Hornady 210 gr XTP-HP. I shot 20.0, 20.5, 21.0, and 21.5. None of the groups were great but none were terrible either. Best was the 20.5 but even better was the remanufactured ammo I bought from a guy here locally. I used the reman ammo to get the scope on paper and reasonably zeroed in order to know my loads would be in the area I wanted them. First I shot a couple of shots to check the scope that I had bore sighted using the old fashioned pull the bolt and look down the barrel at a POI and zero the scope to it. To my surprise it was almost exactly on, I must be a genius scope mounter. Anyway, the first couple of shots were right where I wanted so I shot the next three into the center bull on the target. Best group of them all. Maybe I’ll chronograph the remanufactured ammo and try to duplicate the velocity with my hand loads.

I’m not super happy with my results and as BigAl52 has suggested when I can get my hands on some 2400 I’m going to give that a try. For now, I’ll load up the remaining 88 Hornady’s with the H110 so I have something to shoot while looking for some 2400.

One other note, when I was still shooting the reman ammo I moved to another bullseye and shot four times. Looking thru my spotting scope I could only see two holes and for the life of my I couldn’t find the other two. There was no way that two shots could be off the paper as tightly as that load was shooting. When I pulled the target I’m thinking that three went thru the lower hole seen in picture three. If so, that’s pretty incredible.

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Then I got the BBS 357 out that I had done my load work for a few weeks or so ago. It needed to be zeroed and after a couple of adjustments I felt good about it. I had loaded 10 in the magazine to zero and was happy after four shots. So I moved to a fresh bullseye and shot the remaining six. Much to my surprise I ended up with a one hole six shot group. That’s a sweet shooting rifle. Funny, after shooting the very mild 41 mag the 357 was almost a popcorn fart sounding and feeling shots. I think I giggled a little bit.

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Then I had a few 22’s to confirm zero so when the ground squirrels start popping up we’ll be ready.

[Vaquero]

Congrats on getting out to the range, looks like some good groups.
They would definitely put meat on the table.
Glad the 41 didn't give any problems.
That ole 357 is spot on.

RP

[Rifletom]

Whew, mighty fine shooting Hatch! Pics #3 and 4 are superb. Sure hope you can find some 2400. Darn good shooting.

[Headhog]

Congratulations on a great outing and wonderful weather. From the looks of your targets your 41 mag is on, but like you I would want tighter groups. So more load development is needed. As for the BBS 357, there is no doubt you've got that dialed in real fine. Whatever you're loading, that is a keeper.

My BBS 357 is a absolute blast to shoot. The only problem I have is having enough ammo to keep it fed. No matter how much ammo I take to the range I always come back with only empty brass. I just can't put it down.

[BigAl52]

Im not close to a manual. Whats max charge Hatch

[Vaquero]

Al, according to my one book.

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RP

[BigAl52]

Id pump it all the way to max or a half under and see what it does

[Hatchdog]

In my reading I understand that when loading handgun cartridges for a rifle that the max charge is reduced. This is due to the fact that a rifle chamber has no pressure loss like a revolver would have with the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone. Only Speer and Sierra listed rifle data for the 41 and the Speer max is 21.5 and the Sierra is 20.3. So that puts me at max already although I didn’t get any pressure signs on my cases.

Handgun maxes are: Hornady 22.7, Speer 21.5 and Sierra 20.1. Funny that Sierra shows .2 grains less for handguns than rifles. So much for the cylinder gap pressure loss........ looks like Sierra is much more conservative than Hornady and Speer.

Hopefully I’ll get my hands on some 2400 and see if I can improve on these loads.

[Slugnut]

For what it's worth, my brother and I shot the factory Federal Fusion (210g.) in our 41 BBS. Both rifles shot under 1" (5 shots) at 54yds. off a bench/bags. My 41,Ruger SBH likes them as well. You have to keep in mind, most load data for the 41 is for the pistol . If shot from a rifle (+/- 200-300 fps more) you"ll probably exceeding the limits of that bullet for proper penetration.

[Hatchdog]

For what it's worth, my brother and I shot the factory Federal Fusion (210g.) in our 41 BBS. Both rifles shot under 1" (5 shots) at 54yds. off a bench/bags. My 41,Ruger SBH likes them as well. You have to keep in mind, most load data for the 41 is for the pistol . If shot from a rifle (+/- 200-300 fps more) you"ll probably exceeding the limits of that bullet for proper penetration.

Good point on the penetration thought. I don’t plan to hunt with this rifle but if I ever did so that would be a consideration.

[JEBar]

So I moved to a fresh bullseye and shot the remaining six. Much to my surprise I ended up with a one hole six shot group. That’s a sweet shooting rifle.

that group clearly demonstrates outstanding shooting by both the rifle and shooter .... our BBS 357 has proven to be fine rifle and as you note, a pleasure to shoot

[fortyshooter]

I like that 357 BB the best Hatch..they really shoot well!

[Rifletom]

Certainly can't argue with that.

[BigAl52]

Your 357 results look like my 41 mag results with 2400. Hornady 210 xtp.

[fortyshooter]

Anyone try Unique in the .41 Mag?

[Hatchdog]

Your 357 results look like my 41 mag results with 2400. Hornady 210 xtp.

Good to hear, now just got to get my hands on some.

Forty,

I have some Unique on hand and I’ll have to take a look at my manuals for a load. Isn’t Unique “generally” a cast or plated bullet powder? Right now I just shooting jacketed.

[BigAl52]

I use Unigue all the time in 41 mag. mostly with cast but it will work for jacketed. I use 8 grains of it under cast or copper plated. But the groups are not as good as with 2400 and the xtp. Ive not ever tried it with the xtp bullet. You could try it and see what you come up with.

[fortyshooter]

Have had great results with Unique and jacketed bullets especially in .45 ACP and .45 Colt. 2400 will give you more speed potential at higher loads like for 45 Colt Ruger loads and .44 Mag .357 Mag. Nowdays you have to use what you can find.

[Slugnut]

Vaquero, are you feeling better now ? I haven't received the check yet. Hope all is well.

[Vaquero]

Man I put it in the snail mailbox that very next day.
I promise.

RP