Given the cost and availability of ammunition, I'll bet most 41 magnum shooters reload their own.  This is how I got started.  It is time-consuming, but the cost savings per round in this caliber is undeniable.  Generally speaking, I enjoy it.  It is part of the hobby for me.  I also reload 38 special, 357 magnum, and 243 Winchester.  I help my buddy reload 45 [long] colt.  It is a form of silent meditation, and satisfying.

I've got a Lee Loadmaster Progressive Press.  For 41 magnum, I have die set #90628, which includes the sizing die/decapper.  This is in the first station, and it resizes the empty brass case and pops the used primer out the bottom.  The old primer drops into the ram.  In the bottom center of the picture below, you'll see the ram.  It is the silver steel cylinder.  I oil it with 10w30 motor oil.  (I have a couple of quarts of it from previous vehicles; my truck uses 0w20).

In station two, there is no die; this is where the new primer is seated into the primer pocket.  I do not generally clean my primer pocket, though I do have the RCBS tool to do so.  In my experience, primer seating is the most troublesome part in the Lee Loadmaster.  The primer does not always dispense from the primer feeder.  The spring often gets bent out of position and ruined, so I try to keep at least 3 or 4 extra springs.  I have a Hornady hand primer that I use from time to time if I've loaded a few hundred and have a couple left that didn't get properly primed.

In station three is the powder thru expanding die.  This die bells open the case mouth ever so slightly and drops powder from the hopper.  The Lee Loadmaster came with an Auto-Disk system.  I upgraded this to the Lee Auto-Drum Powder measure.  I highly recommend this upgrade to anyone using Lee.  It is infinitely adjustable, and facilitates minuscule adjustments to the amount of powder dispensed.

In station four you'll find the bullet seating die.  It is adjustable, which seats the bullet deeper or shallower into the case.  I generally use the cannelure as a guide, because I've found that seating to the top edge gives me an overall length of between 1.575" and 1.580".  Bullet seating is facilitated by the bell in the case mouth from the previous station.  Lead bullets in particular slide into the case smoother when the case mouth is opened up a bit.  Don't open it too much; it won't feed thru the dies.  In the picture below, you'll see the cannelure barely visible at the top of the case, and an unloaded bullet with the cannelure fully visible.

In the fifth and final station, I apply a tight crimp to the top edge of the case.  This is recommended for 41 magnum.  A tighter crimp holds the bullet just an instant longer while pressure is built in the case.  This improves accuracy, muzzle velocity, and energy.  This is done by Lee Factory Crimp Die #90416.

Shell plate #19L is the correct one for 14 magnum in the Lee Loadmaster.

I've got Starline and Remington cases.  I prefer the Starline.  Remington cases crack.  I've got a Franklin Arsenal tumbler for cleaning my cases.  I've used cheap corn cob media, and Lyman Tufnut.  Cases tumbled in Tufnut come out sparkling clean.  I highly recommend it.

I've used CCI and Remington large pistol primers.  I have no preference.  I tend to go for the Magnum primers, but I've used "regular" large pistol primers without ill effect.

CCI LP #300

CCI LPM #350

Remington LP #2 1/2

I've used Missouri Bullet Co. 215gr "Keith" style Hi-Tek coated lead bullets.  I've used Remington 200gr jacketed soft point bullets, Berry's plated 210gr FP, Speer 220gr JSP SWC, and Hornady 210gr XTP jacketed bullets.  I prefer jacketed ammunition, as shown in the pictures above.  I did not like the Speer JSP.  Because of trouble with the primers, I had to tap out a few of them, and ended up tapping the lead core out of the jacket cup which remained stuck in the case.  My favorite is the Hornady 210gr XTP.  They seem to shoot the best, and I can buy them off the shelf at my local sporting goods store.

I've used Unique powder, Winchester #296, and Accurate #9.  I prefer 15.6 grains of AA#9.  W296 takes a heavy charge, 20+ grains.  Unique is a bit dirtier, even with a heavy crimp.  Accurate Arms powder is hard to find, and I won't pay $30 hazmat fee, so I get it from the local gun show every so often.  Alliant 2400 is on my list to try.

After loading, I weigh every round to ensure a proper charge.  I've had bullets stuck in barrels due to insufficient powder, and that just sucks up one side and down the other.  For this purpose, I've got a digital scale which shows tenths of a grain.  I've also got calipers for measuring the OAL.

What bullets have you guys used?  What powders?

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