Author Topic: Sell Me on a .41 mag (Read 4115 times)

kmittleman · « **on:** April 21, 2011, 10:30:14 AM »

Hey Folks,

I've been thinking this may be the caliber to get for deer / hog hunting and woods carry. The Ruger BH in 6 1/2" looks pretty sweet and just right for Maryland Deer hunting laws. I'm drawn to this caliber because it seems to be just right in terms of power, recoil, and trajectory. Also, I reload and like the uniqueness of the caliber.

Any opinions welcomed.

-Kevin

gr8ful · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2011, 11:22:52 AM »

Hits like a 44 kicks like a 357, gives ya lots of cool points when you take it out at camp, whats not to love? Be careful though once you get one, they tend to follow you home! Try some 240gr wfngc's from cast performance over H4227 and you will be impressed.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2011, 11:27:21 AM »

41 vs 44 in same gun the 41 has more bbl steel and weight. Good or bad depends on user. The 41 has less bullet choice , but how many do you need ? 44 might be easier to find in a pinch, don't get pinched

. The 44 might have an ever so slight advantage in power.
The 357 mag is better to tote.
Hey I like 44 mags in Redhawks but for the most part over the last two years carry a 10 mm while hunting and walking , go figure .
As for uniquness, that's how i ended up with a 327 FM. Don't look for me to say no to a 41 for the same reason.
Get your gun and enjoy. If the wife ain't 100% for it there is always the bear protection thing

it always comes up anyway.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2011, 02:04:40 PM »

I also am looking at one because the greatest pistol man of my life time had a big hand in developing it..Elmer Keith enjoyed it: killed 5 caribou with his....if he thought it was great that is good enough for me...looked at a 6 " Smith today, but it was over priced..

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2011, 02:44:07 PM »

Wyoming Coyote Hunter

Ya got to remember Elmer did that before Ross Seifried killed that water buff down under with a really heavy hard cast bullet in a Ruger .45 Colt which was written up in G&A back in the '80s. Subsequent if you read all the forums you'll find deer, elk, bears, pig and even caribou have all been issued body armor since then and it takes a gawd awefull heavy for caliber hard cast bullet out of a cartridge a lot bigger than the .41 Magnum to kill anything. kmittleman is really taking his life in his own hands by even considering such a cartridge as the .41. And if he were to push them puny 210 gr bullets at 1400 fps out of it they'd probably just bounce off any of them critters, especially the hallow pointy bullets. By geez if he's not shooting at least a .44 pushing a 310+ gr hard cast bullet (the absolute minimum recommended these days) he'll get laughed right out of camp and probably banned from hunting ever again.....think I'm kidding don't you? Well I'm not so 'll put myself out and suggest he ought to go ahead and buy that Ruger .41 and send it to me. I'll work up some decent loads (probably just use the same ones I use in my .41 Bisley) and test it out to make sure it can kill something.......probably take me 10 - 20 years the way tag draws go these days but what the hey....better safe than sorry right?

Larry Gibson

drdougrx · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2011, 03:05:09 PM »

Mine is an older BH with the 6 1/2" barrel. I shoot 255gr WFNGC over good dose of H110. It's lighter to carry and a smaller package than a full sized SBH. I think a 44SBH is fine hunting gun....but...the 41 is just plain cool.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2011, 03:29:42 PM »

Larry, I have friends that are hot on the very heavy wt. bullets in both .44 and .45 calibers...but I feel if 250 worked in the past, it will continue to do so...the 41mag. is a round I have never owned...just lately got the idea it would be very nice to own a Smith with a 4" barrel..may try to deal on the 6" Smith I mentioned earlier...have to return to my gunsmiths tomorrow to get a model 12 worked on...while he tries to get it running for my gobbler hunt, I will try and make a deal on the .41.......

gjdykeman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2011, 04:03:00 PM »

I have a NMBH in 45 LC, 5-1/2", tried for years to hit the broad side of a barn door with open sites. No luck. Scoped with a 2X and got down to 6" at 50y. OK. Got a S&W 586 Classic Hunter. 41 MAG. Shoots like a laser. Open or Scoped. Recently re-attached the scope to it and under 1" at 25y and under 4" at 100y. Bench rested. Free hand 4" at 50y. I reload and ammo is not an issue. At the range today a guy asked what is that hand cannon you are shooting. I love the 41 MAG, shoots better than some of my rifles.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2011, 03:01:22 AM »

586 is a 357 not a 41. Personaly i never saw what all the hoopla surounding the 41 was about. Ive had quite a few of them and never really go attached. Never saw what it possibly did that the 44 didnt do better.

Quote from: gjdykeman on April 21, 2011, 04:03:00 PM

I have a NMBH in 45 LC, 5-1/2", tried for years to hit the broad side of a barn door with open sites. No luck. Scoped with a 2X and got down to 6" at 50y. OK. Got a S&W 586 Classic Hunter. 41 MAG. Shoots like a laser. Open or Scoped. Recently re-attached the scope to it and under 1" at 25y and under 4" at 100y. Bench rested. Free hand 4" at 50y. I reload and ammo is not an issue. At the range today a guy asked what is that hand cannon you are shooting. I love the 41 MAG, shoots better than some of my rifles.

gjdykeman · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2011, 05:10:20 AM »

Sorry old farts disease, sold the 586 to get the 657-3. Sold the 586 for 500 bought the 657 for 300. Both were unfired in the box. A 629 and a 686 were were also available. I reload and liked the price and novelty. I am a 45LC guy but couldn't pass on the price. Still impressed with the accuracy of the smith. I will be using it this fall exclusively. I have plenty of brass and bullets. My next project is to build a 41 mag handi.

Dand · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2011, 12:49:47 AM »

Got my first 41 back when I was walking salmon streams for work and got tired of carrying a shotgun all the time. The Pipeline and Dirty Harry craze had run the price of 44's thru the roof and were very hard to find in Anchorage. I have small hands and wrists so I figured the orphan M58 in the case would be fine for me. I liked carrying it and got into reloading when I realized I would have to shoot a lot to be any good. Got to wanting adjustable sites so traded the 58 and cash for a 57 4". Dang, I wish I'd kept the 58. Love the 57 and carried it a lot - had fun shooting rabbits with it. Then got the itch to hunt big game so picked up the first 41 Bisley I saw in Kodiak but never managed to find game with it. Pitted the barrel when I wasn't paying close enough attention around salt water. Got a new barrel. Found a stainless Redhawk. Took a small caribou but decided I hadn't practiced enough to hunt big game much, and our caribou herd went bust. Found a 657 Mt gun that is the most comfortable gun for me to carry - and it doesn't rust. Its accurate too. I keep it in the tent with me when camping. Just had to try a Marlin when I found one. I really enjoy the Marlin - makes ammo go away even faster than a 6 shooter. Well I like the 41 mag and wish the caribou would come back so I could hunt them more. I think with the right bullets its fine for my needs. The 265 Corbon hard cast were probably too big & hard for that caribou but enough if I have to argue with a bear some day. I think there are more bullets around for it today than ever before. I have some jacketed 250 gr bullets made by a guy in Bend Ore that I like. I'd love to try them on caribou. I don't want to try taking a moose with my 41 unless I was very close and had no other arm - just don't want to risk it. But I'm sure it would do the job up close.

41 magnum · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2011, 10:24:00 AM »

When I started shooting silhouettes, out to 200 meters, with open sights, in Oregon in the 80's, I tried a 44 but after the first 40 rds was flinching, so my dentist, fellow competitor, let me shoot his 41 some
I handled it better and maybe the gun fit my hand better anyway

Put a 2x Burris on it finally and have taken 2 elk @ 60 & 90 yds--passed thru lungs, 2 black bears-=passed thru lungs at 50 and 85 yds, 2 mule deer--one bullet did not pass thru at 75 yds angling shot and lost only 10 gr weight and dropped it anyway, 27 whitetail deer from 5-122 yds --all but 4 of all these critters were one shot kills--about 70% passed thru

shooting a Speer 200 gr SP, except on bear and elk shot the 210 gr Sierra Silhouette, all over H110 about 1300 fps

I'd load a 265 gr Keith for moose and Griz and all the H110 I could safely shoot

Boomer, as my wife calls it, is a 6.5" Blackhawk with SuperBH grip frame and Pachmayr grips

If my wife hears that gun go off, she's already at the barn with the skinning winch ready when I get there!!!!!!!!!!

hope this helps

ole John

S.B. · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2011, 03:13:01 PM »

Cast don't buy bullets.
Steve

41 mag · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2011, 02:50:41 AM »

I have been shooting the 41 since the mid 80's. This is a short time compared to some around here but I have put thousands of rounds down range through mine.

I started out with a 3 screw flat top which I picked up at a pawn show for little of nothing. It was in almost new conditions and I couldn't pass it up. After several years of thoroughly working it out, I came across what I had wanted from the get go, a Redhawk, and I swapped one for the other. Shortly after I picked up a 44 in a RH as well. Shooting the pair of them has it's drawbacks as I rotate them and sometimes forget which one I have along. Not that I bring the wrong ammo just when shooting the 44 it drops more than the 41 with it's 240gr loads over the 41's 200gr loads.

With the RH in both 41 and 44, I have shot hundreds of loads over the years, and once I decided that they all have a purpose, I found the load I use now. While shooting cast might be great, and there are plenty of great offerings out there, I never got into doing it myself on a practical scale. Lead in my area was pretty hard to come by and nowadays even harder. So I shoot mostly jacketed bullets. They work for me, and drop what I put them through with boring regularity.

I use the Remington bulk 200gr SJHP's 99.5% of the time over 20.5grs of 296 in Starline cases and Winchester primers. This load shoots right at 1320'ish from my revolver, and groups tighter than I can hold out as far as I want to shoot them. We hunt feral hogs a LOT and this load easily has dropped far more of them on the spot, than several loads I use in bigger calibers. They work so well, that my friend purchased a S&W, I think 657, in 41 just so he could get in on the fun. He shoots the same load and has equally as much accuracy and downrange results as I have had.

One thing I have found with this round is the fact that most who load for it believe you have to use a major crimp when loading as with some of the other magnums. I can say this, try out several when you work up your loads. You only need enough to hold the bullet still, and in most cases this is only enough to roll the lip of the case into the cannalure. With the case tension added to it I have yet to be able to load enough powder to make a bullet jump the crimp except when using lead bullets. These DO require a tad more but not much.

One other thing, if your hunting with yours like we do with ours, practice out to 100yds. You may never shoot game out that far but is sure is nice to know you can hit a yote standing broadside just daring you to give him a try. I have shot over more stuff at distance compensating for the drop of my 44, than I care to remember. The 41 shoots plenty flat, and hits plenty hard for most hunting applications.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2011, 05:24:01 AM »

I have owned a few myself.. Kill a few deer and hogs with mine, but once I went to the 44 Mag and larger. I never looked back to the 41 Mag.

There is noting wrong with the 41 Mag, but I just like bigger holes in my game.

irold · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2011, 02:48:03 PM »

Think I've read the entire thread , didn't see whether you owned any other handguns. If this is your only " go-to " hunting handgun , I'd pass. Get a 44 or 45. As someone else stated , the 41 won't do anything the 44 won't do and probably better. Recoil,,,,not an issue. You said you reload...ya don't need to load everything up for hunting elephant. But iffin ya want to hunt elephant...well ya get the picture. If your just getting a 41 for the H of it...go for it. Check on the availability of loading componets , think you'll find the 44 is a lot more abundant.
OMHO , regards , irold

Mikey · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2011, 01:51:34 AM »

Kevin: my opinion is that you have already sold yourself on the 41 and really don't need any help from us. And hey, why not? It's a good caliber that has sufficient power and penetration for anything in Maryland, including wayward politicians. Just remember that you can have more fun with a 41, and I borrowed this statement.................

GradyL41 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2011, 01:48:53 PM »

I am the opposite of Lloyd-- never saw any big advantage to the .429 over the .410 -I just happen to like my .41's I can shoot a 312gr if I want too -- I have shot very few of them _ I even have some 350 gr-- have shot a few but --do not feel like I need them -- usually--i shoot 210 -255gr or so -- Have not shot a jhp in years all cast LWNGC or cast HP-- yea I had a wonderful 3 screw .44 super but let it go the .41 was just fine-- then I had a .45 colt and a .454-- but back to the .41-- the .454 no doubt has the power over both of the .41 and .44-- so if I want real power I will just go back to my .454-- or better yet A 510 gnr-- but mostly for me I will take my .41's-- because it just right -- like my .358 win just right and I have plenty of brass-- molds, gcs-- etc- and several .41 wildcats
for what ever it is worth - a number of writers over the years state that the .41 penetrates very well Keith, JD Jones etc-- even if i had bears in my yard --.41 would be ok but like i said if want more a .510 would do for me-- I like my .41

Mohawk · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2011, 02:24:17 PM »

I say get the .41. I am too a victim of being different. The .41 will be fine for deer...... and hogs..... I don't have a lot of experience with in a hog handgun. My "operating system" works differently when it comes to taking game. But the .41 should not have a problem with any game. Myself and Redhawk argue this point annually and to be honest I think we are both right. The largest handgun I have ever owned is a .45 Colt for deer. That is where Redhawk starts. And we both get our game. There are no right or wrong answers. Just answers. I love hearing from Redhawk and Mikey as they have MUCH more time behind a .44 .45 magnum level CTG than me. Don't overthink anything. If I want a TX whitetail within bow range a S&W Model 10 or 19 will do. If I wanted to hunt pigs that's when I consult Rehawk or Mikey. Hasn't happened yet but I am sure it will one day.

roger460xvr · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2011, 02:43:31 PM »

I love the 41mag..I have a ruger41cal blackhawk 6.5 barrel and its scoped for hunting like the 44mag--460xvr but the 41 has a soft spot that i can,t get rid of..

roger460xvr · « **Reply #20 on:** April 25, 2011, 02:46:28 PM »

here it is..............

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2011, 05:05:57 AM »

A .41 will do whatever you ask of it. But like someone else on this thread said, I prefer the bigger .44M or 45LC. A .41 is a good option that just sort of fell out of favor for no real reason other that it's not a .44.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2011, 05:12:21 AM »

Another point to keep in mind: Revolver calibers to efficiency is like girls to pretty, if you can relate to such a comparison/ratio. Although a .41 if enough, it's not AS much as the .44 or .45. Just like a pretty girl is nice to look at, she's not AS nice to look at as an extremely pretty one.

There are valid reasons to choose a .357M over a .44M (game hunted, recoil), but I don't personally see a reason to choose an almost .44 over a .44. My opinion only. I have other weird opinions. My favorite revolver calibers? .44 Special and .45LC. I got no use for a .44M, even though one can't do better with that caliber. Weird.

Fire Fox · « **Reply #23 on:** January 23, 2012, 12:14:38 PM »

You said it in your post. The 6.5 in Blackhawk in 41 is not heavy, quick and just plain handy. You need to go to a 200 gr bullet for best results. It is not a 44 mag and should not be attempted to become one. For the animals you are talking about it will do great.I have a friend that hunts Black Bear often and he has carried the 41 6.5 in Black hawk for a lot of years with a lot

of bears to his credit with no losses.He also has a 44 mag for bigger stuff but seems to gravitate to the 41 for deer and Black Bear with the 200 gr or heavier bullets. He said he tried the silver tip 190 or might be 195 gr and they did not work as well as the 220 gr. Hope this helps.

leadman · « **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2012, 06:25:00 PM »

My first 41 was an old Model BH with 4 5/8" barrel. It shot well but it had to go down the road when household money was needed.
I now have a stainless Super blackhawk Hunter in 41 with a T/C stainless 2 1/2X scope on it. This a quite a bit heavier than the first one so would not make a good everyday carry gun. But the weight does make it a dream to shoot. A 220gr Saeco T/C with a load of Lil Gun behind it almost hits 1,500 fps. 200 yards hits on gallon milk bottle are very doable. I have shot at rocks and other targets farther and it is easier to hit them than with my 44 mag.

The gun you are looking at should be a good one for carrying and hunting. Reloading tools are abundant on the internet and most of the expendable supplies can be found locally where I live. Ammo is in the stores also.

Flash · « **Reply #25 on:** February 08, 2012, 10:19:47 AM »

Gosh, if you're going to buy one, get a 4 5/8" barrel. Even scoped, they are so enjoyable to carry and shoot. Within handgun ranges, the barrel length difference won't matter but you'll love how compact the shorter barrel is. Two more inches of barrel won't make a dead deer any deader.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #26 on:** February 09, 2012, 01:17:23 AM »

I had an oldtimer that was handgun hunting when i was still a kid say this about it. If you want to look cool and atract attention at the range show up with a 41mag or 45 colt. everyone will think you know handguns. If you want to kill crap (crap wasnt his chosen word) get yourself a 44 mag and dont worry about what everyone else thinks.

williamlayton · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2012, 01:36:01 AM »

I have a 4 inch .41---I think that the next purchase----there is ALWAYS a next purchase---will be a .41 with a longer barrel.
The .41 suits me for a largest gun I want.
Blessings

painted horse · « **Reply #28 on:** February 10, 2012, 01:28:50 PM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on February 09, 2012, 01:17:23 AM

I had an oldtimer that was handgun hunting when i was still a kid say this about it. If you want to look cool and atract attention at the range show up with a 41mag or 45 colt. everyone will think you know handguns. If you want to kill crap (crap wasnt his chosen word) get yourself a 44 mag and dont worry about what everyone else thinks.

........and man alive, that is why, I carry my, colt 45..

(the only range we have around here is open range)

kynardsj · « **Reply #29 on:** February 10, 2012, 01:54:26 PM »

Although I'm not a fan of the 41 mag I have some friends that swear by it. I reload and all my big revolvers are Ruger 45 LC's. I can go as wild or mild as I choose to. I think it's a red truck, blue truck kind of thing. If you like it and it does what you want it to, then it doesn't matter what others think.