factory load reports for Smith 657 41 mag, 7.5" barrel

[ccoker]

I have gone through numerous factory offerings and thought I would post some feedback to assist anyone else...

Winchester 240g platinum tips:
at 25 yards rested, shots touching
one doe at 46 yards, both shoulders, 1" hole all the way through, sausage time

Federal Castcore 250g:
field tested on cactus, 3 shots at about 30 yards, one nice hole

Winchester Silvertips 175g:
at 25 yards rested, fairly tight group, an inch or so

SpeerGold Dot 210g:
at 25 yards rested, fairly tight group, an inch or so

Federal 210g JHP:
at 25 yards rested, not quite as tight group, about 2"

Georgia Arms 210g JHP deer stopper (not the gold dot version, they were out)
at 25 yards rested, not quite as tight group, about 2-3" (I think if they were perhaps backed off the pressure a bit the group would tighten up


So, for deer, I would definitely opt for the Winchester 240s and wouldn't hesitate on hogs
2nd choice would be the cast cores for deer, and maybe first choice if I was purely hog hunting

I still want to get some Reed Ammo 210 Gold Dots and some georgia arms 210g "cowboy loads" for practice and price

[Dand]

Thanks for sharing the info. Helps keep the 41 perking along.  Wish it would warm up so I could do more work with the 250 gr jacketed bullets.  But test shooting at -20 to -35 just ain't fun.

[ccoker]

yep, I love this gun
it so easy to shoot well

[ccoker]

I came across cnc cartridge in a thread on 44 special loads
never heard of them before
http://www.cnccartridge.com/41.htm

the 200g JHP load looks like the same bullet as the Georgia Arms deer stopper load, a remington 200g JHP, even though Georgia Arms lists it as a 210, according to my research, it's a 200g

the 215 SWC would be a nice practice load and will be ordering some to try