.41 Magnum loads

by E Sisk, Monday, December 31, 2018, 18:36 (2091 days ago)

While loading up a few hundred .41 Mag. cast loads this weekend, I ran across a full box of Sierra 170 gr. JHP. bullets. When I pulled out my Ken Waters Pet loads, he listed 16gr. Blue Dot as the most accurate 170gr. load (a little warm from my notes). I know Paco Kelly has written that Blue Dot is the Champagne of powders for the .41. I also know about the Alliant ban on Blue Dot in the .41. I burned quite a bit of the old BD back before the change. I'm not sure if the BD I have now is pre or post change. Is there any current BD data out there? Have not found any if there is. Anyone still using BD in a .41? I am loading for a 5 shot FA97 so I don't think strength is an issue. There is some anecdotal evidence that the difference came about do to a switch from cotton to wood fiber for production of nitrocellulose, but considering the source(net) the application of sodium chloride may be neccessary. Considering just backing off a full grain to 15gr BD, loading 5 rounds and trying them out. Alternatively any one have a favorite 170 gr. Sierra load?