22-rimfire
Member
I won't argue with that logic. I like 41mags, but when I want something more powerful, the 480 Ruger comes out to play. Wish Ruger offered it in a Black Hawk.
41 Magnum Opinions?
- Thread starter bulltaco
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Jakkar
Member
I have just managed to put 50 rounds through my new to be 80's era Blackhawk since I picked it up but I am sold on the 41 Magnum. I have gathered all of the reloading supplies I need with the exception of the dies which hopefully will be here early next week.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
But when you have a 41 you don't need no steeenkin' 43s or 45s
warriorsociologist
Member
^ LOL...
Nice grips on that BH!
Nice grips on that BH!
First Shirt
Member
I bought my first .41 Mag, an OM Blackhawk in 1970, along with a Lyman bullet mold, bullet sizing die, reloading dies and a small cast-iron pot and ladle for casting bullets, all for the princely sum of $85 dollars. And I've had at least one .41 Mag ever since. I've taken deer, wild hogs and coyotes with the round, and used my first one to earn enough money to buy my first rifle, by betting that I could hit a one-quart oil can three times out of five from 100 yards away. If a .41 won't do it, a .44 probably won't either.
And if you reload, a .41 is a better buy, simply because it's not as popular, and they usually sell for less than a similar model in .44
JWB
And if you reload, a .41 is a better buy, simply because it's not as popular, and they usually sell for less than a similar model in .44
JWB
stevereno1
Member
a .41 mag was invented for deer hunting. go bag a buck with your .41 it's the law!
MCgunner
Member
I've not taken a deer with my .45, yet. I've taken two with a .357 Blackhawk. I need to remedy that situation. I'm sorta wondering if I get a .41 Blackhawk, if I should get the 6 1/2" barrel for hunting or the 4 5/8" gun for packin'. I haven't hunted with the 4 5/8" .45 I have, but to tell ya the truth, I can shoot it pretty danged well at 50 yards and think it'd be a good hunting gun despite the short barrel. The 4 5/8" gun totes better and, as you can tell from the above picture, just looks SO good! 
The .357 NEEDs the extra barrel length for performance, but the .41, as with the .45, has enough umph out of the shorter tube to get the job done. A blue one weighs a little less than my stainless .45, too, which would help as far as the packin' goes.
The .357 NEEDs the extra barrel length for performance, but the .41, as with the .45, has enough umph out of the shorter tube to get the job done. A blue one weighs a little less than my stainless .45, too, which would help as far as the packin' goes.22-rimfire
Member
MC, I need to just get more deer. I have only shot one with my 480 SRH. Prior to reading and participating on the gun forums, I never knew how popular handgun hunting is. I have a 6.5" 41 mag Blackhawk too that I have yet to shoot much. I'm used to lugging a pretty substantial handgun around for hunting and the 6.5" Blackhawk would feel light to me.
I have only shot one with my 480 SRH. Prior to reading and participating on the gun forums, I never knew how popular handgun hunting is. I have a 6.5" 41 mag Blackhawk too that I have yet to shoot much. I'm used to lugging a pretty substantial handgun around for hunting and the 6.5" Blackhawk would feel light to me.MCgunner
Member
Well, my primary hunting handgun is pretty hefty, carry in a UM's shoulder holster. It's a 12" scoped .30-30 caliber TC Contender cheater gun. I've shot 5 with it so far. But, I get the urge to use irons and a revolver once in a while. Cost me a hog last year when I shot too high. :banghead: But, hey, that's what handgun hunting is about, the challenge.
I've shot 5 with it so far. But, I get the urge to use irons and a revolver once in a while. Cost me a hog last year when I shot too high. :banghead: But, hey, that's what handgun hunting is about, the challenge. 
ThomasT
Member
I have a 57 no dash with a 6" barrel. Have the dies, brass and loose bullets. Haven't shot much and not in a long time. I have been kicking around the idea of selling it but after reading all the post i may need to shoot it sometime instead.
It has an s2479xx s.n. Anyone have any idea when it was made?
It has an s2479xx s.n. Anyone have any idea when it was made?
ThomasT
Member
I've had two Ruder Blackhawks in .41 mag and both shot very well. I carried one for awhile trying to kill a deer. No luck. They were alittle more pleasant to shoot than the 44 Blackhawks.
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22-rimfire
Member
Ratshooter, you do know when you touch off a 41 mag. The recoil is no 22 or 357. Break out that Model 57 or.... hmm, Christmas is coming up... I know a good home!
Congrats on your new m-57. I rescued a 4" nickle model 57 from a pawn shop about 8 years ago. There is just something about that big bore S&W revolver that just does it for me, looks right, handles right and shoots damn fine. 41 mag will handle everything that a 44 mag will without beating you to death as well. My 57 is a no dash p&r'ed about 98% in condition. Yes, it costs more to keep it fed, but that's what reloading is for. Enjoy your 57, but keep your eye peeled for a model 58, they are the cat's meow! I purchased one about a month ago. Its a 85% shooter grade and my 1st fixed sighted revolver to boot. Every time I handle it I keep thinking , man -o-man..what was I missing all this time! As you can see from all of these responses..the 41 mag and S&W revolvers haven't faded into the sunset yet and probably will not for a very long time to come.
ThomasT
Member
Thanks for the info, I'll think about it.
bulltaco
Member
I'm Hitting The Woods Tomorrow!
I am taking the S&W Model 57 deer hunting tomorrow. I saw a buck and doe in the field right next to my house yesterday morning. The rut is starting to peak here in NC and I have my corn pile the deer are feeding on. I also have my deer calls, a buck grunt tube and a little breeding doe bleater that really works. The weather is cool and breezy. I am shooting the PMC 210 grn hollow points I have been practicing with and I will carry it in a belt and holster I had made for the pistol by the Chief at Little Feather Leather! I'll check in on how I do!
I am taking the S&W Model 57 deer hunting tomorrow. I saw a buck and doe in the field right next to my house yesterday morning. The rut is starting to peak here in NC and I have my corn pile the deer are feeding on. I also have my deer calls, a buck grunt tube and a little breeding doe bleater that really works. The weather is cool and breezy. I am shooting the PMC 210 grn hollow points I have been practicing with and I will carry it in a belt and holster I had made for the pistol by the Chief at Little Feather Leather! I'll check in on how I do!
22-rimfire
Member
Bulltaco: Good luck whitetail hunting. I hope you have the opportunity to use your new 4" M57. I am hoping to do the same on Saturday. I still shoot those PMC loads too! Bought 5 boxes or so earlier this year.
bulltaco
Member
Sportsman Guide
I bought 6 boxes for a deal from SG. Good hunting Rimfire!
I bought 6 boxes for a deal from SG. Good hunting Rimfire!
Joe Gunns
Member
FWIW I was reading the late lamented Skeeter Skelton's book GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD WHISKY, GOOD GUNS, which is a collection of some of his various SHOOTING TIMES columns. He wrote one in '70 or so on the 41 mag in which he says the he hopped on Bill Jordan's bandwagon and talked up the concept to S&W and others and was one of those consulted by them for ideas about the loads. He says that many cops, not being gun enthusiasts, where not able to shoot as accurately with the 357 mag load as with the 38 special. Therefore idea was for the 41 to have two standard loadings. One a law enforcement load at around 950 fps or so and the other a hot load for hunting and shooting through things. He and Bill believed that the milder loading would give recoil about equal to the 38 special with energy closer to the .357 and thus give the average cop more power in a managable package. Hence all the initial talk of the 41 as the ideal cop gun. He said that when the gun was actually introduced no commerical loads were available so a lot of folks ordered dies, which were available, and rolled their own on the hot side. Then when Remington (IFIRC) came out with commercial rounds 5 or so months later, they were all the hot loads. The intended "law enforcement" loadings didn't begin to appear until a long enough time had gone by that the gun scribes, and the law enforement agencies had by and large made their judgements. Those agencies that had adopted them had stocked up on the hot ammo. So as a result of the poor coordination of the product releases the gun never caught on.
In my youth, being a Skeeter fan, I lusted after a .41 but didn't have the funds to get one. The urge has ebbed and I am a contented .45 LC/ACP fan.
In my youth, being a Skeeter fan, I lusted after a .41 but didn't have the funds to get one. The urge has ebbed and I am a contented .45 LC/ACP fan.
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bulltaco
Member
Saw Three Does!
They came by me about thirty yards at twilight. I stood still and they went out into the field next to the woods. I drew a bead on the largest doe but the road was behind her, it was a poor shot at best, and I did not feel like dressing a doe tonight! I was hoping a buck might follow them but alas no. Good karma though! I will be in the woods before sunrise and who knows, maybe a buck will be around. I want to score with the Model 57!
They came by me about thirty yards at twilight. I stood still and they went out into the field next to the woods. I drew a bead on the largest doe but the road was behind her, it was a poor shot at best, and I did not feel like dressing a doe tonight! I was hoping a buck might follow them but alas no. Good karma though! I will be in the woods before sunrise and who knows, maybe a buck will be around. I want to score with the Model 57!
Jakkar
Member
With all the .41 Magnum love in this thread I couldn't pass up this Mod-57 Mountain gun at the show today. Now I have two .41 Magnums to load for this weekend 
warriorsociologist
Member
Hi Gents.
FYI: If anyone here is a cast boolet shooter ....and wants a new mould for their .41 mag, you should check out this ongoing group buy on a custom Lee 6-cavity .413-265gr. Keith-style plain base boolet.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=21912
FYI: If anyone here is a cast boolet shooter ....and wants a new mould for their .41 mag, you should check out this ongoing group buy on a custom Lee 6-cavity .413-265gr. Keith-style plain base boolet.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=21912
The problem with the 45 Colt, and I love the round almost as much as the .41, is that SAAMI will never re-write the cartridge specs for it, and chambers are going to be loose, even in a nicely made N frame Smith. This means cases stretch and wear a little faster, and you lose some velocity. I can live with this. But it is worth mentioning. Yes, the 45 Colt can outperform the 44 mag with less pressure as well, a very good thing. For a number of years I skipped the 44 altogether.
But the 41 is a more efficient cartridge than either the 45 Colt or 44 mag. Metcalf used to chrony velocities out of various factory goods and the 41 lost less fps in a short tube than the 44. I don't see why a warm 45 Colt also wouldn't lose more in the same length tube than a 41.
There is something the larger rounds can do the .41 can't, and that's usefully propel a 300 gr bullet. There is a place in this world for 300 gr bullets. I was almost ready to give up on the .429 as a cartridge that made much sense until I tried 300 gr bullets with handloads. This was before the load became semi pop. The heavier weight settled the 44 mag right down.
There is a feel to a good cartridge, a well designed cartridge, not unlike the feel you get hitting a baseball with the sweet part of the bat, and with a bat that fits you. Both the 41 and 45 Colt have this intangible feel. The 44 mag with 240 gr bullets in my opinion snorts and blows and jabs far too much. It settles right down with the heavier bullets and joins the other two cartridges.
I've never had any problem loading the .41 for accuracy, and it may eclipse the other two. At full power loads you can still get the second shot out faster with accuracy than with a 44 mag. The all important follow up shot.
In truth if a Grizzly was atop me any of our large bore handgun cartridges would seem to me to be underpowered and insufficient. For all the reasonable jobs a hunting revolver might do, the 41 will do them as well or better than the 44, until it comes to large game like Elk, where the 44 has the 300 grain bullet. I'm not sure the 41's 250 to 265 gr bullet is not as good or better, but there is very little data out on that while the woods are full of happy 44 shooters with their 300 grain bullets.
There isnt' a better deer cartridge made in a revolver than the .41, at least Metcalf thought so. And attempts to find a perfect man stopping round seem to keep gravitating back to near 40 cal, where the 41 had been living for at least 20 years prior to our Age's 10mm and then 40 SW.
I like the Ruger 480 very much also, and one day will own one of those. Then I can ask the 44 what purpose it serves?
But we like them all. They're all good, and it's best to have choice.
munk
But the 41 is a more efficient cartridge than either the 45 Colt or 44 mag. Metcalf used to chrony velocities out of various factory goods and the 41 lost less fps in a short tube than the 44. I don't see why a warm 45 Colt also wouldn't lose more in the same length tube than a 41.
There is something the larger rounds can do the .41 can't, and that's usefully propel a 300 gr bullet. There is a place in this world for 300 gr bullets. I was almost ready to give up on the .429 as a cartridge that made much sense until I tried 300 gr bullets with handloads. This was before the load became semi pop. The heavier weight settled the 44 mag right down.
There is a feel to a good cartridge, a well designed cartridge, not unlike the feel you get hitting a baseball with the sweet part of the bat, and with a bat that fits you. Both the 41 and 45 Colt have this intangible feel. The 44 mag with 240 gr bullets in my opinion snorts and blows and jabs far too much. It settles right down with the heavier bullets and joins the other two cartridges.
I've never had any problem loading the .41 for accuracy, and it may eclipse the other two. At full power loads you can still get the second shot out faster with accuracy than with a 44 mag. The all important follow up shot.
In truth if a Grizzly was atop me any of our large bore handgun cartridges would seem to me to be underpowered and insufficient. For all the reasonable jobs a hunting revolver might do, the 41 will do them as well or better than the 44, until it comes to large game like Elk, where the 44 has the 300 grain bullet. I'm not sure the 41's 250 to 265 gr bullet is not as good or better, but there is very little data out on that while the woods are full of happy 44 shooters with their 300 grain bullets.
There isnt' a better deer cartridge made in a revolver than the .41, at least Metcalf thought so. And attempts to find a perfect man stopping round seem to keep gravitating back to near 40 cal, where the 41 had been living for at least 20 years prior to our Age's 10mm and then 40 SW.
I like the Ruger 480 very much also, and one day will own one of those. Then I can ask the 44 what purpose it serves?
But we like them all. They're all good, and it's best to have choice.
munk
Ok, so the .41 doesn't have a 300 grain bullet, but it DOES have a 295 grain bullet! I suspect a 295 grain .410 bullet zipping along at 1300 fps is just as good for elk as a 300 grain .429 bullet.
http://www.pennbullets.com/41/41295ssk.html
is there a 295 gr 41 cal bullet zipping along at 1300 fps?
Sounds great to me.
No, a game animal will not know the difference between that and a .429 300 gr at 1290 fps.
The 41 penetrates better, many say it shoots a little flatter with better BC, and it handles much better than the 44.
I own four of them.
I'm not lukewarm on this cartridge. It is one happy design. It makes sense. It comes darn close to being a perfect round.
The biggest resistance to its existence comes from withint the gun community, the 44 mag owners who question the reason for the existence of the 41.
munk
Sounds great to me.
No, a game animal will not know the difference between that and a .429 300 gr at 1290 fps.
The 41 penetrates better, many say it shoots a little flatter with better BC, and it handles much better than the 44.
I own four of them.
I'm not lukewarm on this cartridge. It is one happy design. It makes sense. It comes darn close to being a perfect round.
The biggest resistance to its existence comes from withint the gun community, the 44 mag owners who question the reason for the existence of the 41.
munk
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