Author Topic: .41 mag for hogs? (Read 2315 times)

cutter · « **on:** October 12, 2011, 11:10:18 AM »

Anyone use this round? Thinking about a New Model Blackhawk but not quite the omf of the 44 .

jhalcott · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2011, 11:28:14 AM »

It doesn't have ALL the recoil of the .44 MAG either! I have the 41 in a Contender and the .44 in the Ruger sbh. I do not see enough difference in terminal effects to worry about. I do NOT like recoil, so I don't use the very heavy bullets/loads in these guns. A 210 grain .41 or 240 .44 at a decent speed is fine for me. Deer do not seem to like either caliber! Hogs should not be a problem IF YOU can put the bullet where it needs to go.

rjr9603 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:30:18 AM »

Got a 10" 41 on an Encore and is now my main gun for deer. As already stated less recoil than the 44 and preforms great. I dont think you will notice any difference between the 41 and 44 on hogs.

drdougrx · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2011, 06:26:09 AM »

I have a 6.5" BH in 41 mag and use a 250gr WFNGC/H110. If you do not reload, federal makes a 250gr cast core. I love the 41mag! Lots of folks use 210 or 230gr bullets, either cast or jacketed. I like the cast and always tend to shoot heavy for caliber bullets. I'd stay away from under 200gr HPs for hogs. Have fun!

rockbilly · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:52:37 AM »

I have used the .41 for years and good results on both deer and hogs. I started with a Ruger 6 ½ inch then later bought a super 14 barrel for the contender. Since then I have picked up both the Model 57 and 58 Smith. The 57 has a 8 3/8 inch barrel, the 58 is nickel plated with a four inch barrel and fixed sights. I also like the 210 – 230 gr jacketed bullets. I got away from the cast bullets several years ago and have stuck with “store bought” bullets since.

Just a note, The .357 Maximum with a 158 grain bullet is about equally effective, I have that in a Contencer.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:01:15 AM »

I have to ask , if you shoot a 250 gr bullet in both a 41 and 44 mag. in a like gun at the same vel. why does the 41 kick less ?
Why can't the 44 be loaded down to 41 recoil ?
I like the 41 and may get one some day. I have shot several. So I don't bash the 41 but anything it can do the 44spl. / 44mag gun can do and more.

drdougrx · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2011, 02:13:59 PM »

I for one shoot heavy bullets in everything, so, I shoot 187gr WFNGC in the 357, 250gr in the 41mag, 310gr in the 44 and 370gr in the 480.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:07:36 PM »

You tell'm Doug.

drdougrx · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2011, 04:17:39 PM »

Oh Yeah Mikey!

gr8ful · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2011, 04:49:37 PM »

drdougrx is dead on here

I shoot the same bullet in my 4" S&W 57 over h4227 and it has never failed to put the meat in the freezer.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2011, 01:37:20 AM »

Im with shootall here. Ive got 41s and have even killed pigs with them and they do fine but the 44 just makes more sense. The differnce in recoil isnt enough in the same gun that i notice it. Now keep in mind that recoil doenst bother me much so someone else might think differnt but bottom line is if you can shoot a 41 well you can shoot a 44 well. Also if you dont load theres much more options in ammo for the 44. Everything from 44 specials to 300 plus grain cast loads. If you reload finding 44 brass and bullets and molds is much easier then 41s. 41s have allways had a cult following that i didnt buy into. Guys that have them try to justify them buy saying there almost as powerful as a 44 or kick a bit less but the biggest reason they buy them is to just be differnt. truth be told the 44 is more powerful and doesnt kick enough more to matter. Theres no more versitile handgun then a 44 mag!! So if you want to kill stuff get a 44 and if you want to be cool buy a 41.

sixshot · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2011, 06:30:33 AM »

Not sure that .019" makes much difference, but in every way the 44 has a little edge. If I had to choose between the two I'd take the 44 but only by a little bit (maybe .019") I hunt with both regularly & have never seen a bit of difference.
The 44 has a much better bullet selection & factory ammo is easier to find at the local store although I've never heard of anyone running out of ammo on their hunt & trying to find ammo. Handloading the 41 gives you lots of options.
Shoot the one you like, no animal is going to know the difference if both bullets hit the vitals.

Dick

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2011, 06:38:18 AM »

I didn't want to offend a 41 m shooter . I shoot a 44M and 45 Colt both loaded to an equal level ( hot at times) and see little difference. I like the 45 Colt but realize the 44M has more options.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2011, 08:40:34 AM »

Given the same exterior dimentions of the revolver and the same load with the same powder, same weight bullet at the same velocity the .41 will recoil less than the .44 because there's more steel in the revolver; the holes are smaller, thus it is heavier. All that is technically correct but, as mentioned, I also doubt most could tell the difference.

I hunt with both the .41 (Ruger Bisley with 7 1/2" barrel) and a .44 Magnum (Ruger FTBH with 6 1/2" barrel. Given the 210 XTP in the .41 at 1450 fps and the 240 XTP in the .44 at 1400 fps I can't discern any difference between the two when killing pigs or deer. Both do an outstanding job if I do my part. Same holds for 215 gr cast in the .41 at 1350 fps vs 250 gr cast in the .44 at the same 1350 fps. However, the .44 begins to over shadow the .41 when the 270 gr 429244HP or the 429640HP bullets are used. Quite frankly I've not found any of the 300+ gr .44 bullets to be any more effective than the XTPs or the two 270 gr HPs. I've not found any bullet heavier than 220 gr to be any more effective in the .41. If a heavier bullet is wanted then the .44 is the answer. Just my opinion based on my experience. I've no qualms with others using heavier bullets in either cartridge if they like them. I've just not found them to be any better is all.

Larry Gibson

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2011, 08:54:13 AM »

For me if boils down to getting a new gun cause I want to , no spec. must be met . Well as long as the wife dosen't ask WHY ?

rockbilly · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2011, 09:01:17 AM »

Different strokes for different folks!!!!

I have two pairs of jeans, a pair of Levis and a pair of Wranglers, I prefer the Wranglers because they fit better but on occasion I wear the Levis just for something different……..both jeans, both do the job.

I have been blessed and can afford more than one gun, I also have several .44 mags and shoot them on occasion, I agree anything the .41 will do the .44 (might) do better and the larger bullets are bad medicin in either, but as my old Grandpa use to say “variety is the spice of life,” therefore I have both and can switch off as I please.

drdougrx · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2011, 11:20:14 AM »

OK I'll come clean....I bought the 41m BH to have Reeder turn into something else. I shot it and found it was too cool to sacrifice. So...I bisley'd and refinished it.....now it's way too cool for me...

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2011, 11:22:06 AM »

I was between a 41 and 10mm . Got the 10 and like it but like SA revolvers alot too. Save pennies some more.

Ladobe · « **Reply #18 on:** October 20, 2011, 07:54:34 AM »

FWIW, I hunted wild boar along the northcentral CA coastal ranges and razorbacks in the central mid valley in the 60's and 70's... almost always hunted them with a Herter's 401 Power Mag SA revolver. Never felt undergunned and took more than my fair share with it, including some big bruisers. I had a couple of Model 29's, but preferred the 401.

gjdykeman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 20, 2011, 02:33:50 PM »

i use a S&W 657 Classic hunter. 2X scope. I do load my own. I use a 235g Copper plated FN over a generous amount of W296. I shot a very large deer last Sat, free hand at about 25y. A little shaky free hand. I hit it in the spine a little to the right of center. The deer flipped over completely. It tried to run away. I took a little time and neck shot it at about 30y. Flipped over front ways and was done. I have a NMBH in 45 colt 300g cast. I prefer The 41 mag. Shoots like a laser out to 100y with a solid rest. I have no doubt it would do the same to any hog.

AndyHass · « **Reply #20 on:** November 05, 2011, 02:23:49 AM »

When comparing apples to apples loads, I don't think you can argue that there is really a significant difference in performance. The 44 has the edge in being able to move up to heavier bullets, and in availability/variety of components. The 41 has a little less recoil in similar guns....but the reason I own a 41 is what I consider its biggest advantage -- fitting into a 357 frame size. One of the biggest disservices ever done to the 41 was focusing on models in a 44 frame.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #21 on:** December 04, 2011, 10:02:08 AM »

I have this gem for the woods:

And then I came across this woods gun in .41 Mag:

The S&W is my new woods sidearm! Have yet to nail anything with it though.