357mag vs 41mag

[**oneshot**]

I am looking into a handgun.  I've got the gun fever and it's not going away.  I have been searching and trying to get the advantages of either a 357mag and a 41mag.  I plan on using them for deer, and a back-up for coyote during other seasons.   I mostly plan on using them for target and recreational shooting.  I do reload so that topic is not favoring one or the other.

Any comments are appreciated.
Thanks
Tom

[Dusty Miller]

As much as I like the 357 I'm think'n this is a no-brainer, go with the 41.  It gives you just about everything the 357 does only more of it. 

[cattleskinner]

I will have to agree with Dusty.  Granted, there is fewer choices in components for the .41 caliber, there is still more than enough bullets to choose from, or bullet molds if you want to go that route.  The .41 also doesn't have the really sharp muzzle crack/blast that the .357 seems to, at least according to my ears. 

[S.B.]

Ditto, the above statements.

[Bullseye]

I also agree with all the above.

[S_J_KENNELS]

I agree as well. Go with the 41mag.

[gypsyman]

oneshot, guess I'll be the odd man out. And this is why. In your post, you said that your looking for a handgun, and the fever is not going away. Good. But, how many times have you shot a handgun? My first handgun was a model 27,S&W, with a 3.5 inch barrel, in 1972, my father had to buy it for me, as I was only 17 and working at his carryout. Recoil and muzzleblast were pretty nasty. Bought a couple of box's of 38 special, and got pretty good with it. After a bunch of practice, and slowly getting use to the .357 ammo, could I comfortably shoot it. Point is, you don't jump in a Indy car and start racing around a track at 250mph, with out working up to it. A .41 mag is a fine cartridge, and I would definetly prefer it over the .357, but how much shooting experience have you had, with a big bore handgun?  If you start out with the .41mag, you'll have to do some looking to find any ammo, on the light, or special loading side.(maybe the guy that advertises here,Reedsammo might make some.) But my advise, buy a .357, get a couple of box's of .38, and a box of .357, and go practice.--Gypsyman-We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!! Remember-(12/7/41)-(9/11/01)

[gypsyman]

Tom, just re-read your post, and caught the last line on reloading. If you work your way up to full house loads, go with the .41.-Gypsyman-We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!! Remember-(12/7/41)-(9/11/01)

[Mikey]

Tom - if you reload, then start with the 357 and owrk your way up to the 41 later on.  The 357 has an incredibly wide breath of application with whitetail and coyote right in the middle of the mix.  You can start with 38 special loads and work on up to some really heavy (for the bore) stuff in the 357.  The 41 is also a great caliber and reloading maximizes its potential, same with the 357.  I would simply start with the 357 and then work my way up. Hey, a guy can't have too many projects to work on ya know.  HTH.  Mikey.

[blhof]

I concur with starting with the 357, I used a DW 357 with 38 wadcutters on squirrel and rabbits, and loaded up 180 grain 357's for deer and pigs.  I shoot the smaller pigs, I'm looking for meat not trophies.  For large boars the 41 at max is about the min. safe load.

[superdown]

  i agree with gypsyman if you reload it would be pointless to go with the 357 because you can just load up some target/plinking loads then when ready work your way up to a hunting style load.           

[Old Griz]

I'm afraid I'm not gonna be much help. I love a good .357 because you can just do so much with the .357/.38 combination. I know plenty of deer have been taken with them, too. However, since you reload, the .41 would be the way to go. More power, depending on the gun it's hard to tell the difference in recoil (my 57 sure kicks less than my K-frames), and it's always better to have enough gun for what ever the occasion.

If it was to be a recreational gun, I'd say .357. But if it's gonna be a serious hunting gun, too, go .41.

Are you going SA or DA?

[**oneshot**]

Thank you for the responses.
   

[Wyatte]

The 41 mag is one of my all time favorite cartridges for a couple of reasons, and I don't even reload for it!  I have owned numerous 357's and 44's, but there's just something about the 41, especially if you're talking about deer hunting with it. Even though you mentioned you do reload, it's good to know that there too has never been a better selection of factory ammo for  it than there is now.  As the others have stated, I think the 41 mag is the way to go, and I  think you would really like it.   I believe that it is gaining fairly rapidly in popularity too, and for good reason.   wyatte

[wsmitty01]

Buy a TC and you can do whatever you want with any pistol caliber or a lot of powerful rifle calibers also, did it with wheelguns before but now just the contender for me,,,even got rid of the long guns!  Get em both!!

[**oneshot**]

I already have an Encore .308 and have shot a bunch of pistols from .22 to .454.  Found the 454 to be fun until you've shot one or two cylinders worth.  I was doing the 357-vs-44 in my head and thought: What about the .41?   More power than the 357 but not quite the punch of the 44 with hunting loads.
I like to do all my shooting with what loads I plan on hunting with so my brain doesn't get fried trying to figure it out at the moment of truth.

I've decided to go with the .41,  now to finish my choice on what make and model.  Leaning toward a Ruger Blackhawk, since I've shot my fathers 357 blackhawk and like the feel and fit in hand.

Thank you again for the responses.
Tom

[jjvw]

I have been using the 41 for a least 30 years. I have never chased a deer shot with it and I doubt if  they knew it was a 41 or a 44. Same weight bullets have nearly the same energy and speed as the 44 with less recoil.
The 210 sierra has taken many whitetails and a few mulies at 100-125 yds in my redhawk and 1" groups at 150 yards in my 2X scoped contender.  The old sierra 220 sil. works well for big hogs.  Brass is available from Midway. H110 works best for me. Bluedot is more accurate but is sensitive to michigan temp changes. I use Unique behind cast 215's for plinking and practice.

[ccoker]

I dig my 41 smith 657
very effective on deer
I wrestled with the 357/41/44 thing a BUNCH and still do honestly
the 357 gives you cheaper ammo and readily available and the ability to use 38s really cheap for practice

the 44 has a lot more kick than a 41 and the 41 absolutely works

if you reload, I almost think for 44 as it can do anything you want
if not, a 41 seems like the best balance of power and "easy to shoot" recoil
off the shelf loads are very good and work well, balance of power and recoil

honestly, sometimes I kick myself for getting a 41 because practice ammo can't be had locally (and I am in Austin with plenty of gun stores) I have to order it (I like the CNC cartridge 215SWC at about 1050 for $18/50) and Winchester 240g Platinum or Fed 250g castcores are one holers at 25 yards off a bench