.41 Magnum rifle. SWC, JHP, or JSP ammo?

[epijunkie67]

Bought a .41 magnum rifle a little while ago and will be reloading ammo for it. I'm trying to decide on a good general purpose hunting/shooting round. For my .357 I've been using a 158 grain sp for this purpose but what should I use for the .41?

My options are cast semi wad cutters, jacketed hollow points, or jacketed soft points. I'm leaning toward the JSP but wanted to get some feedback on the others. What's perfomance for the other two rounds like out of a .41 rifle?

 

[ACP230]

What kind of .41 rifle?

I have a Marlin 1894FG. I've used LSWC, JSP and JHPs in it.
The LSWCs are my reloads featuring a 230 grain bullet at around 1,000 fps.
A fun load to plink with and one I think would be an OK small game load.

The JSPs are Remington factory 210 grainers. I've shot a handful of 200 grain JHP reloads too.

I haven't done a lot of accuracy testing but the factory 210s shot better tban the lead reloads at longer distances.

 

[ChristopherG]

For accuracy, I'm afraid I've had little luck with the Remington 210 JSP's--which would have been a good bullet for the caliber, I think--in my Marlin 1894fg (I'm assuming that's what your rifle is; if there's another .41 longgun, I don't know about it). I have shot groups as small as a couple inches at a hundred yards, on the other hand, with Hornady XTP 210 gr. HP's over a full book-load of AA#9. For hunting, though, I'd worry about any JHP--even the XTP--coming apart at 1800 fps, which is about what I'm pushing it at.

My preferred load for this gun, as for my 657, is a 250 gr. cast flat nose from either cast performance (the bullet loaded in Federal's 'castcore' round) or leadhead bullets, at proshootpro.com. Both are gas checked to eliminate leading, and can make a rolicking fast load (1700 fps +) using either AA9 or Lil' Gun. In my gun, they'll shoot with more than adequate hunting accuracy to the functional range of the cartridge (say, 3" @ 100 yards).

The experience of 1894fg owners suggests they can be kind of finicky for accuracy and feeding, but also that a good round is out there waiting to be discovered that will suit your gun and purpose just right.

 

[epijunkie67]

I'm using a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Carbine Limited with 20" tapered octagon barrel, full length magazine tube, straight grip walnut stock and fore-arm. It uses Ballard rifling instead of the microgroove.

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, if I had your gun, I'd start by trying the JSP. If it works, they're cheap and a good match for the carbine velocities. Should shoot anything in Tennessee or any contiguous state just fine.