There was a load posted a while ago . .41 mag 230 gr cast 19.gr alliant 2400. Is 19,gr too much ? will be shooting it in a Smith & wesson 657 .41 Mag?? Hope someone can help. Thank You

Seems like a simple question...gets complicated.

The older manuals listed higher loads of 2400 than the newer manuals...considerably higher. A 1994 Lyman listed 18.8gr. max. under a 215 SWCGC...the 2002 manual lists 16.2gr. max. with that same bullet.

For years I used 18.5gr. with that bullet (minus the gas check...mold modified to cast a plain base) and had no problems at all. With a modern lot of 2400, back off to 17.0gr to get the same velocity I was getting with 18.5gr. of the old powder. Even taht may not be safe, but am running under an assuption that velocity and pressure are pretty closely linked.

Would have been much better to load a few rounds at 16.5gr., 17gr., then 17.5gr., then 18gr., etc. befor jumping on that upper limit loading. Your load may be fine in your gun, it's not far off what I've used in the past....but with modern 2400, I have some reservations.

Gas checks? when do you use then and when not?

Gas checks? when do you use then and when not?

Haven't found a need to use them in handguns.

Are a help at high speeds, but in handguns once I start getting up to 1600fps, see more a need for weight than more speed, so just switch to a heavier (gas check-less) bullet rather than push lighter bullets faster.

Not anti-gas check for everything...if pushing a bullet past 1600-1700fps, will find it a lot easier to get a good shooting load with a gas check than without...gas checked bullets are less picky about loads...and gas check bullets can help push slightly softer alloy (that may expand well).

But I don't use them in any of my .41mag. loads simply becasue I've not found a need for them.

I've had similar experiences with 2400 - I think the current stuff is hotter. We discussed this in relation to .45 Colt loads a while back. I go back and forth on the gas check thing - I like the convenience of not using them plus it saves money but I have an old Lyman 429244 GCHP mould that sure throws an accurate bullet and as Ribbonstone mentioned, you can cast them soft enough to expand some without leading your barrel. They shoot really well in my old M-29.