Author Topic: can .41 magnum shells be safely fired in a .405 winchester (Read 708 times)

whelen36 · « **on:** March 19, 2005, 02:22:35 PM »

can they be safely fired for plinking , or as an emergency back up if your in an situation of survival

?
i've heard that they're both .41 caliber

i forgot to mention , it's in a t/c encore rifle barrel

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2005, 06:06:57 PM »

I was always taught, if it is not intended for that gun, don't shoot it out of it. In other words, only shot what the chamber calls for. JMHO.

grodon of the north · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2005, 10:36:59 PM »

Wouldn't it be similar to using 38 special ammo in a 357 mag chamber or the 44 special in the 44 mag chamber? Or 38/357 in the 357 Max chamber? Or 44sp./44mag in the 445 super mag?
And if that reasoning works how about 45 Colt in a 454 Casull. Of course my reasoning doesn't always parallel fact. :roll:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2005, 02:25:58 AM »

Quote from: grodon of the north

Wouldn't it be similar to using 38 special ammo in a 357 mag chamber or the 44 special in the 44 mag chamber? Or 38/357 in the 357 Max chamber? Or 44sp./44mag in the 445 super mag?
And if that reasoning works how about 45 Colt in a 454 Casull. Of course my reasoning doesn't always parallel fact. :roll:

But the guns are chambered for both and state that it can be done.

tcman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2005, 03:21:34 AM »

Why would you carry extra ammo in the "wrong" caliber as emergency backup versus carrying extra proper ammo?

whelen36 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2005, 05:37:38 AM »

i have a .41 magnum revolver , and a newly aquired .405 winchester barrel for my encore. now i wouldn't carry the wrong ammo but do take a backup side arm with me. the reason i asked is say you were on a desolate area hunting trip that went awry. and you've expended all of the .405 shells you have , the revolver isn't scoped for longer shots at supper ( say , 50 to 75 yards away ) , and all you have left is .41 mag ammo. would it work safely in the .405 barrel .

this was just a hypothetical question , to see if it would work , i know acuracy wouldn't be as up to par as it should be with the different ammo .

i know i've heard of them doing this in the old west , with rifle and pistol , just in the same cartridge .

Lone Star · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2005, 03:50:35 PM »

It would be a terrible idea and possibly unsafe. The base diameter of a .405 chamber is about 0.465", and the diamater of a .41 Magnum case is 0.435", or a mismatch of 0.030". That could be enough to allow the .41 case to rupture and vent gas back into the shooter's face.

Then there is the rim thickness issue - 0.073" for the .405 and 0.060" for the .41 Mag. That's excess headspace which could also cause problems. That's two reasons not to do it.

For number three: if the case did not seal the chamber - and with the large radial gap it may not - the bullet could get lodged in the barrel, rendering the riflle a fancy club. Just generally a bad idea, but I suppose someone would do it regardless of anyone else's recommendations. :roll: