45 colt vs 41 mag? - Page 3

Sport45 · July 27, 2015, 03:00 AM

In the "For What it's Worth" department.

Right now Grafs has 13 different handgun bullets in stock for .410". They have about 100 in stock to choose from in 45 caliber.

stagpanther · July 27, 2015, 06:25 AM

True the 41 mag is not readily available in big box stores or LGs where local preferences dictate what is stocked--but I've never had a problem finding both ammo and reload components for it if I was including the internet.

It is a great hard-hitting cartridge with stopping power similar to the 44 mag and ballistically flies great with moderate recoil transferred to the shooter. After years of reloading for it and firing through my blackhawk, I just don't think there is another cartridge that delivers that performance blend as well.

336A · July 27, 2015, 07:10 AM

Here is but one more point that I'd like to add that has yet to be mentioned here. The .41 magnum is great cartridge that can stand on it's own merits and don't need to be compared to other cartridges. The other topic without fail that"s always brought up is one of bullet weight. Anymore it seems that the everyday shooter/plinker/hunter thinks it's necessary to load up with the heaviest bullet that they can stuff into the chambers of their sixguns and have at it.

The late great Elmer Keith never needed anything more than his 429421 bullet in his .44 magnum, and it always worked without fail. In the .41 a hunter using the .41 magnum version at roughly 1400fps poleaxed a moose at 65 yards. The bullet went between the the shoulder blades driving so deep that it lacerated the liver. The moose took a couple of steps got sick and fell over. On another occasion a 250gr .41 mag started at a pedestrian 1100fps sailed through both shoulders of a 700lbs cow elk at 74 yards dropping her were she stood. In the above two examples if that performance isn't satisfactory please explain how the above could have been improved upon.

I bring all of this up to point out that the average individual don't need 300+ grain bullets to kill the common deer/pig/black bear, which is most likely what the cartridges will be used on in a hunting context. Now if the user feels that they must subject themselves to the effects of such loads then so be it this a free country after all, but in reality they aren't needed. If you really need a heavy bullet there is the 295gr SSK bullet for the .41 if you have elephants in your woods. The bullets can be found at Bear Tooth bullets or Penn Bullets. Here is a great resource for the .41 magnum for the OP
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...al-data-center

As far as the ammo situation is concerned it has never been better for the .41 magnum. There is more variety of ammo to choose from now than at anytime before for the .41. Sadly the old "Police Load" is gone and the only SD loading available that I'm aware of is the Win 175gr STHP. More folks really need to give the .41 magnum a chance you might find that you will come to really enjoy it.

drobs · July 27, 2015, 07:27 AM

Ruger's new 45 Colt Redhawk that takes 45 acp w/ moon clips is on my list to buy.

2 calibers in 1 gun.

Sport45 · July 28, 2015, 03:31 AM

You forgot .45gap and .45 Schofield.

(still only one caliber though)

dakota1911 · July 28, 2015, 03:05 PM

I have several Rugers in 45 LC/45ACP convertible. Never considered a 41 Mag. Do run Ruger/TC Contender on handloads in 45LC at times.

Real Gun · July 29, 2015, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Never considered a 41 Mag.

Time to catch up!

Kosh75287 · July 29, 2015, 11:50 AM

For no rational, irrefutable set of reasons, my leanings are to the .45 Colt. It can be loaded to equal .41/.44 Mag specs, and factory loads that do the same are available, if somewhat dear. The .41 mag's supply problems can largely be overcome by casting, judicious purchasing, and husbandry of supply. I don't really see a task that one will successfully perform, of which the other 2 are incapable.

The platform whence these cartridges are shot may bear examination, as a S&W M57 is probably more tune-able than a .45 Colt Redhawk, while the latter is likely to last longer if subjected to equi-ballistic ammunition. I don't know how to gauge the strength of the $&W .45 Colt N-frames, but I'd be inclined to not expose them to pressures above 21,000 p.s.i. (and then only rarely), unless I hear on good authority that it's okay to do so.

Real Gun · July 29, 2015, 02:53 PM

Do we know whether the S&W N-frame cylinder is pushed to its limit with 45 Colt, precluding use of loads above SAAMI standard? I suspect that 44 and 41 are better suited to that gun in terms of powerful loads.

336A · July 29, 2015, 07:07 PM

To follow up on my last post here is a link to the above mentioned elk, further down he talks of the moose that was taken too

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/vie...ghlight=magnum

As for the S&W .45 that everyone is asking about here is what John Linebaugh has to say, scroll down to the bottom of the page.

http://www.customsixguns.com/writing...ht_bullets.htm

Here is another article that he wrote on the S&W .45 Cot as well.

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12

July 27, 2015, 03:00 AM	#51
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	In the "For What it's Worth" department. Right now Grafs has 13 different handgun bullets in stock for .410". They have about 100 in stock to choose from in 45 caliber. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

July 27, 2015, 06:25 AM	#52
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	True the 41 mag is not readily available in big box stores or LGs where local preferences dictate what is stocked--but I've never had a problem finding both ammo and reload components for it if I was including the internet. It is a great hard-hitting cartridge with stopping power similar to the 44 mag and ballistically flies great with moderate recoil transferred to the shooter. After years of reloading for it and firing through my blackhawk, I just don't think there is another cartridge that delivers that performance blend as well. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

July 27, 2015, 07:10 AM	#53
336A Member Join Date: May 25, 2013 Posts: 24	Here is but one more point that I'd like to add that has yet to be mentioned here. The .41 magnum is great cartridge that can stand on it's own merits and don't need to be compared to other cartridges. The other topic without fail that"s always brought up is one of bullet weight. Anymore it seems that the everyday shooter/plinker/hunter thinks it's necessary to load up with the heaviest bullet that they can stuff into the chambers of their sixguns and have at it. The late great Elmer Keith never needed anything more than his 429421 bullet in his .44 magnum, and it always worked without fail. In the .41 a hunter using the .41 magnum version at roughly 1400fps poleaxed a moose at 65 yards. The bullet went between the the shoulder blades driving so deep that it lacerated the liver. The moose took a couple of steps got sick and fell over. On another occasion a 250gr .41 mag started at a pedestrian 1100fps sailed through both shoulders of a 700lbs cow elk at 74 yards dropping her were she stood. In the above two examples if that performance isn't satisfactory please explain how the above could have been improved upon. I bring all of this up to point out that the average individual don't need 300+ grain bullets to kill the common deer/pig/black bear, which is most likely what the cartridges will be used on in a hunting context. Now if the user feels that they must subject themselves to the effects of such loads then so be it this a free country after all, but in reality they aren't needed. If you really need a heavy bullet there is the 295gr SSK bullet for the .41 if you have elephants in your woods. The bullets can be found at Bear Tooth bullets or Penn Bullets. Here is a great resource for the .41 magnum for the OP http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...al-data-center As far as the ammo situation is concerned it has never been better for the .41 magnum. There is more variety of ammo to choose from now than at anytime before for the .41. Sadly the old "Police Load" is gone and the only SD loading available that I'm aware of is the Win 175gr STHP. More folks really need to give the .41 magnum a chance you might find that you will come to really enjoy it. Last edited by 336A; July 27, 2015 at 07:16 AM.

July 28, 2015, 03:31 AM	#55
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	You forgot .45gap and .45 Schofield. (still only one caliber though) __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

July 29, 2015, 11:50 AM	#58
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	For no rational, irrefutable set of reasons, my leanings are to the .45 Colt. It can be loaded to equal .41/.44 Mag specs, and factory loads that do the same are available, if somewhat dear. The .41 mag's supply problems can largely be overcome by casting, judicious purchasing, and husbandry of supply. I don't really see a task that one will successfully perform, of which the other 2 are incapable. The platform whence these cartridges are shot may bear examination, as a S&W M57 is probably more tune-able than a .45 Colt Redhawk, while the latter is likely to last longer if subjected to equi-ballistic ammunition. I don't know how to gauge the strength of the $&W .45 Colt N-frames, but I'd be inclined to not expose them to pressures above 21,000 p.s.i. (and then only rarely), unless I hear on good authority that it's okay to do so. __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!

July 27, 2015, 07:27 AM	#54
drobs Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2015 Location: South Central MO / Africa Posts: 1,111	Ruger's new 45 Colt Redhawk that takes 45 acp w/ moon clips is on my list to buy. 2 calibers in 1 gun.

July 28, 2015, 03:05 PM	#56
dakota1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2007 Location: The Great American Desert Posts: 501	I have several Rugers in 45 LC/45ACP convertible. Never considered a 41 Mag. Do run Ruger/TC Contender on handloads in 45LC at times.

July 29, 2015, 02:53 PM	#59
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	Do we know whether the S&W N-frame cylinder is pushed to its limit with 45 Colt, precluding use of loads above SAAMI standard? I suspect that 44 and 41 are better suited to that gun in terms of powerful loads.

July 29, 2015, 07:07 PM	#60
336A Member Join Date: May 25, 2013 Posts: 24	To follow up on my last post here is a link to the above mentioned elk, further down he talks of the moose that was taken too http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/vie...ghlight=magnum As for the S&W .45 that everyone is asking about here is what John Linebaugh has to say, scroll down to the bottom of the page. http://www.customsixguns.com/writing...ht_bullets.htm Here is another article that he wrote on the S&W .45 Cot as well. http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12