41 Colt Bullets

[ShootinIron]

Does anyone know a source for the old 41 colt hollow base out side lubed bullet? I want to dupilcate
an original BP load for my Colt 1989 first model DA. I thought someone made a mold years ago, but
it's been a while sense I chased it around. Casting would be an option, but I'd rather skip that step if possible.
I do have about 200+ original BP loads, but of the 5 I've shot, all but one were duds. I'm not going to pull them
or shoot anymore, that would just be dumb. The right empty boxs will come around some day. I do have about 150
empty 41 cases that all came with the other 200 rounds.

[bmcgilvray]

It appears that casting will be the best bet. Gad can supply proper .41 Long Colt bullets as well.

Gad Custom Reloaded Cartridges and Shell Reloading Services

After measuring bore diameters and chambers I find myself wondering why plain ol' lead .400"- 403" diameter cast solid base bullets, as are available for both the .38-40 and the .40 S&W, wouldn't work in the .41 Long Colt. Why does it have to be hollow base bullets, except for authenticity? I need to handload a few try out for plinking.

[ShootinIron]

It appears that casting will be the best bet. Gad can supply proper .41 Long Colt bullets as well.

Gad Custom Reloaded Cartridges and Shell Reloading Services

After measuring bore diameters and chambers I find myself wondering why plain ol' lead .400"- 403" diameter cast solid base bullets, as are available for both the .38-40 and the .40 S&W, wouldn't work in the .41 Long Colt. Why does it have to be hollow base bullets, except for authenticity? I need to handload a few try out for plinking.

I belive originaly the outside diameter of the bullet is the same OD as the case. So the bullet is really undersize and needs the hollow base to expand to fill the bore. At least that's how it was originally, or am I getting it confused with the 38 Long Colt round? Or are they both the same?
Thanks for the link!

[Chaffee]

The .41 was originally a heel type- bullet until the 1890s when they changed it to a hollowbase. Originally, the bullet diameter was .408. They also lengthened the case a bit . Same story with the .38 LC

[Bisley]

Hello, ShootinIron. In your original post..you mention a hollow-based outside lubed bullet. As Chaffee has pointed out..the original bullet for both the .38 & .41 Colt was heel-based..just like our modern day .22 L.R. ctg. a short "heel" fit inside case, the bearing surface dia. of bullet was same dia. as ctg. case. These early bullets were not hollow-based. Due to the outside lube, they had a tendency to pick up grit & in hot weather, the lube probably melted off. Both rounds were "modernized in the 1890's when the case was lengthened to cover conventional lube grooves..but now bullets were undersized, as bearing surface was inside case..this was taken care of by the hollow-base expanding to take rifling. I can see the reason for the .38 Colt..this was designed for existing revolver dimensions when they converted percussion revolvers to metalic ctg. But the .41??

[ShootinIron]

That's right. The first style was a heel based bullet that was out side lubed. Later is when they went to the hollow base type for the 41.
I needed my memory joggged as it's been a while. I have an 1889 DA in 41 with a 3" barrel I want to shoot. I've got the dies and brass but no bullets. I did check out the link and may just buy a 100 to have some fun with it. BP loads of course.
On another note there was a size diference on the 38 long colt from the original 1989 DA to later when it was changed to .357 standard dia.
I have several 1989's in both size bores.

[ShootinIron]

Mecca!!!!
httpp://harryo.sixshootercommunity.org

[Bisley]

Hello, ShootinIron. Wonderfull article! I have an old Ideal 386178 mould with the seperate wood handled hollow-base former. These moulds are slow..but I guess most things were in those days! Years ago, I bought a pair of 7 1/2" Colt Thunderers. Been too busy with other projects to get around to loading for them..To be honest..those paper-thin cylinder walls give me the willies! Probably best to stick with B.P. Sadly, Rapine is out of business. Best of luck!