I found this information in a article by Todd Spotti on the 414 SuperMag... So does anyone else use the 41 Mag Dies for this?  I also visited Redding's site and I can get a set of custom dies for around $150... Any suggestions...

For dies, I used both RCBS carbide and Hornady titanium nitride 41 Mag dies. The sizer dies worked normally, but I had to screw the expander and seater dies way out so they would work properly with the extra long 414 cases. This was no problem however, and both sets worked well.  I understand that the Gates family has Redding dies that were made specifically for the 414.

Reloading for the 414 was a standard affair as far as the mechanics were concerned.  Just be sure that you use a heavy crimp on the bullets to insure they don't move forward during recoil.  For extra insurance in this area, I always recommend using the Redding profile crimping die which provides a combination of both a taper and roll crimp for maximum holding power.

As I got into researching loads for the 414, I quickly found that there was very little to no data available.  Sierra has some limited data that was published in a previous version of their reloading manual.  You can get the info by calling their tech support 800 number.  However, I would literally be starting from almost scratch in developing loads for this report.

For powder selection I started off with H4227, basically because it's a very good performer in the 357 Supermag.  I then tried out H110, H108, and WW296.  I even dabbled with AA5744 and found it to be very good with the heavy cast bullet from Leadhead.

I also experimented with one of Hodgdon's newer powders, Lil Gun.  This is a powder that was specifically formulated for use with the 410 shotgun, which is also a 41 caliber weapon.  (Interesting coincidence)  Like many shotgun powders, Lil Gun also has magnum pistol applications as well.  I found this powder to be an excellent choice for the 414.

One note of caution always be sure to use rifle primers with this cartridge.  They're needed to properly ignite the relatively large amounts of powder we're using in this cartridge and as a safety factor because of the increased pressures.

As I got into the evaluation, I found 1500 fps with a 210 grain bullet could routinely be achieved with the 414.  This seems to be the normal velocity regime for the Supermag series.  This is sizzling performance for this weight bullet, no doubt about it.  Additional velocity was easily possible but probably unnecessary for silhouettes.  It was kind of fun shooting the 1600 fps loads but I don't know if I'd want to shoot 40 of them.  1700 fps with 170 grain bullets is also possible.  As Shaft would say "Can you dig it?"

As you might imagine, recoil was fairly stout with these full bore loads but it wasn't anything that an experienced silhouette shooter couldn't handle.  The novice however would be well advised to start off with one of the milder loads listed in the table below.   Even with the lighter loads, one need not be concerned about the rams failing to fall.  Every load listed will do the job quite well.

In summary, I found the DW to be an extremely high quality gun, far surpassing the quality of previous Dan Wesson products produced by other companies.  Simply put, it's the best made double action revolver on the planet Earth.  This is just one of those guns that when you buy it, you keep it for life.  The massive strength and still innovate design of the DW easily accommodated the very powerful 414 Supermag cartridge without hesitation.  This cartridge is significantly more powerful than the 44 Mag and definitely flatter shooting.  This is a happy combination of gun and cartridge that will not only flatten steel with overwhelming authority, but will also allow the revolver hunter to harvest game at greater distances without any fear of running out of performance.  That's a heck of a combination.  Good luck and good shooting.

  Loads used in testing the .414*

*These loads are the results of my testing and I accept no liability for there use by others. 

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedInShare on Pinterest

Yeap, it's a NIB Norwich First Issue gun... I also have a NIB 741 so I'm undecided if I should shoot them or not?

Email me any load data you have at files@danwessonforum.com.

Thanks,

Jody

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedInShare on Pinterest

I haven't really explored it any more... ended up picking up a 715 and sending my 445 back to DW so didn't really want to put out for dies right now.

I think I can order new custom dies from Redding for around $150.  I would like to know if folks have used standard 41 mag dies since it states that can be done in the article.

Jody

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedInShare on Pinterest