.41 Magnum vs .44 Magnum

[CraigC]

...and can be hand loaded to do pretty much anything the .44 can.

Not really.

 

[RealGun]

Post 92 describes FACTORY options as related to the non reloading gun owner.
I took your post as relating to factory options only.

Naturally, reloading greatly blurs the differences between the two.
I am a fan of the 41 Magnum, especially when purpose reloaded.

Steve

If we were only talking about availability of factory ammo, there would be no basis for varying views. 44 Magnum is obviously more strongly supported by the market, as anyone who has shopped for both 41 and 44 can attest. The problem comes when someone makes an unqualified comment that 44 is more versatile. It depends. The discussion has its interesting side and can be enlightening but can also be a debate about how may fairies will fit on the head of a pin.

Not really.

Can't you allow for "pretty much"? Will no generalization pass scrutiny? Obviously they are different cartridges.

 

[CraigC]

Can't you allow for "pretty much"?

No. I'd rather be more precise. Fact is, the .41Mag's spectrum comes to an abrupt end with loads equivalent to the 300gr .44. Which is where the .44 is just beginning to shine. Given equal pressures, the bigger bores are more and more efficient at delivering their bigger payload. The .44Mag and "Ruger only" .45Colt are "pretty much" equals but if the .45 is run at equal pressures, it starts running away from the .44.

It's only "pretty much" if all you look at is the standard 210gr/240gr loads. As I said, objectively speaking, as a dedicated deer/hog cartridge, the .41 is probably the better choice.

 

[Varminterror]

Agreed. These kinds of generalizations get propagated far too often. As an example, I have even heard gun counter guys say the .357mag can be loaded to match .44mag, and often heard and read folks attesting the 44mag can be loaded to rival the .454c. Foolish statements in both cases, as is saying the .41mag is "pretty much" a peer to the 44mag.

The .41mag might be the "minimum" cartridge unimpeded by a lack of killing power at reasonable (for skilled wheel gunners) handgun hunting ranges, but a .44mag, it ain't.

Great things can be done with all of these cartridges in the right revolvers with the right loading practices, beyond the expectations of most reloading manuals, but at the end of the day, you're still governed by case capacity and cylinder wall thickness.

Whether your application dictates an advantage for this extra power or not, or equally whether your shooting ability allows you to capitalize upon it, is really up to you.

 

[RealGun]

Agreed. These kinds of generalizations get propagated far too often. As an example, I have even heard gun counter guys say the .357mag can be loaded to match .44mag, and often heard and read folks attesting the 44mag can be loaded to rival the .454c. Foolish statements in both cases, as is saying the .41mag is "pretty much" a peer to the 44mag.

The .41mag might be the "minimum" cartridge unimpeded by a lack of killing power at reasonable (for skilled wheel gunners) handgun hunting ranges, but a .44mag, it ain't.

Great things can be done with all of these cartridges in the right revolvers with the right loading practices, beyond the expectations of most reloading manuals, but at the end of the day, you're still governed by case capacity and cylinder wall thickness.

Whether your application dictates an advantage for this extra power or not, or equally whether your shooting ability allows you to capitalize upon it, is really up to you.

Availability of components is "pretty much" the same when it comes to reloading. I bet one would find more choices in more places for 44 but never go without on 41. Might be longer to restock in some cases. Someone has it and at fair prices. Just bullets, brass, and powder choice, same primers. The point is that for the reloader there is no good reason to pick 44 over 41. You'll find your stuff either way.

 

[Varminterror]

Availability of components is "pretty much" the same when it comes to reloading.

Not really sure, although I don't really care either, why you brought up availability when it has absolutely nothing to do with what I posted....

he .41 is a little easier on the shooter and can be hand loaded to do pretty much anything the .44 can.

Not really.

Agreed.

Availability of components doesn't give any truth to Clayguy's statement about the 41mag's performance comparison to the 44mag.

 

[CraigC]

Availability of components is "pretty much" the same when it comes to reloading. I bet one would find more choices in more places for 44 but never go without on 41. Might be longer to restock in some cases. Someone has it and at fair prices. Just bullets, brass, and powder choice, same primers. The point is that for the reloader there is no good reason to pick 44 over 41. You'll find your stuff either way.

That depends entirely on the individual's needs. That 1800lb bull in my avatar that I took with the .44, I wouldn't have shot him with a .41. Maybe that's an extreme example but it's a real one, nonetheless.

 

[RealGun]

Not really sure, although I don't really care either, why you brought up availability when it has absolutely nothing to do with what I posted....

Availability of components doesn't give any truth to Clayguy's statement about the 41mag's performance comparison to the 44mag.

It has everything to do with your statement "Foolish statements in both cases, as is saying the .41mag is "pretty much" a peer to the 44mag." Beyond that, there have been multiple references in this thread to ammo availability. It's not all about what you posted.

Let's review the OP:

"We haven't had a good caliber war in a while. So, .41 vs .44 - which do you prefer for what purpose and why?"

 

[Varminterror]

You quoted me twice now without reading what I have posted, otherwise, your reading comprehension is poor.

I specifically stated, twice, including the statement which you quoted the second time above, my comments regarding the unfounded belief held by Clayguy are a comparison for POWER - pertaining to his statement the 41 "can be hand loaded to pretty much anything the 44 can." - and to the foolish comments I have read time and again online and heard around gun counters about 357's being loaded to match 44's, and 44's loaded to match 454's.

If you want to complain about component availablity, or if you want to cite component availability is a non-issue between them, don't misquote and misrepresent my statements about power. The price and frequency of occurrence of Honda Civic's on the highway compared to those of Ford F-150 don't have a damned thing to do with my statements analogous to comparing the horsepower capacity of the two.

Debate what you wish, but don't rebut my comparison for power by citing a straw man about component availability.

 

[RealGun]

You quoted me twice now without reading what I have posted, otherwise, your reading comprehension is poor.

I specifically stated, twice, including the statement which you quoted the second time above, my comments regarding the unfounded belief held by Clayguy are a comparison for POWER - pertaining to his statement the 41 "can be hand loaded to pretty much anything the 44 can." - and to the foolish comments I have read time and again online and heard around gun counters about 357's being loaded to match 44's, and 44's loaded to match 454's.

If you want to complain about component availablity, or if you want to cite component availability is a non-issue between them, don't misquote and misrepresent my statements about power. The price and frequency of occurrence of Honda Civic's on the highway compared to those of Ford F-150 don't have a damned thing to do with my statements analogous to comparing the horsepower capacity of the two.

Debate what you wish, but don't rebut my comparison for power by citing a straw man about component availability.

"Foolish statements"
"comprehension is poor"
"foolish comments"
You're going to get push back on expressions of arrogance and disrespect like these.

I quoted you because it prompted my comments. A quote does not make it all about you. I stand by what I posted.

 

[Walkalong]

which do you prefer for what purpose and why?

And since we have left that realm and are only fussing back and forth picking nits, we're done, unless y'all can convince a mod to trim the fat and re-open.