41. Rem Mag, a worthy step up?

[44 AMP]

I had a .41 Mag about 40 years ago. Ruger Blackhawk, (old model) with the shorter barrel (4 5/8?")

great gun, good cartridge, I liked it a lot. BUT...after I got it, I learned that it wasn't legal for deer where I lived at the time. SO, before deer season, the nice .41 went away, replaced by a Marlin 336 .30-30 which the state had no problem with as a deer gun.

Later on, i passed over the .41 again, as #1) I had already had one, and #2) there was no gun in .41Mag that didn't also come in .44 Mag, and #3) .44Mag had lots more ammo and bullet choices.

There's nothing wrong with the .41 Mag, just not enough right things to make me choose it over a .44 Mag.

And, FWIW, TODAY that sweet little .41 Blackhawk I had would be deer legal in my state. grrrrrr....

[johnslick]

50 years ago I had a 4 inch Smith .41 that was my regular carry gun. Lots of power but less recoil than my .44 . If you cast and lubrisize bullets,go for it. Otherwise, I recommend a Model 27 or 29. But Im a crusty old timer with lots of opinions

[Ruger45LC]

Here's my opinion. I've had pretty much all of them. The .41 is a good cartridge and I can't criticize it except that to get into the .41 you're going to limit yourself on future purchases since .41's aren't exactly numerous.

I've had several of the SBH Bisley 454's and frankly, I'd pass on it. The cylinder throats are oversized and the cylinder itself is on the short side so if you were to load some longer 454's, they may not even chamber. To me it makes more sense as a "heavy" .45 Colt.

My suggestion is to go with the 44 Mag. You have a lot of options to choose from, both in guns and bullets. It's more powerful than .41 Mag and more accurate than the Ruger .45 Colts, which all have undersized cylinder throats. Yes there are bigger options out there but I've settled on the .44 Mag, it will do anything I will ever ask of a handgun and then some. Every 44 Mag Ruger or S&W I own and have owned have all be quite accurate too. You can't go wrong with the .44

[DaleA]

Disclaimer: I don't own a .41 magnum. That said I think it is a totally capable cartridge that definitely belongs in the the "big bore magnum" club.

That said, from the tone of your posts you might be happier with the Ruger Super Blackhawk in .480 Ruger. Maybe even harder to find the gun (although Ruger still lists it at their site) and ammo but it will definitely be a step up recoil wise.

Or, if you're not wedded to a single action go for the S&W .460 Magnum and shoot the wimpy .454 Casulls or even .45 Colts where you won't even notice the recoil at all .

Good luck.

Ruger SBH .480
https://ruger.com/products/newModelS...ey/models.html

S&W .460
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product...xvr?sku=163460
Note: also comes in shorter barrel
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product...xvr?sku=163465

[rclark]

I can shoot 45 Colt all day and 454 when I need some recoil therapy. Or even load 45 Colt to 44 mag levels when I’d like some punch.

Sounds like you already have a .454 and you do reload. You should be able to find cast .41 bullets on-line at just about any bullet manufacturer like Rim Rock for example. Selection may be a bit thin. And you have Starline for cases. But personally I have no use for the .41. A niche cartridge trying to find its way.... I don't think it is needed as we already have the .44 (.429) Special/Magnum. Much more common. And when you 'think' you need more power you just go up the .45 and .454, .480, .500 ... and so on. Your call though . This is only my opinion....

[rodfac]

While the .41 is a good magnum cartridge (I have 3 revolvers and a Marlin carbine chambered for it), it's a handloading proposition only, and that assessment is based on normal times: (When components are readily available). From my viewpoint, you'd be far better to get a .44 Magnum...easier to find brass and bullets, and a slightly bigger punch if you hunt with it.

I have a pair of Rugers in .41. A 3-screw Old Model with a 4-5/8" bbl. that's a pleasure to carry, while the other sports a 6-1/2" bbl'd, it's a flat top that's a range toy. One nice thing about an old model .41 is that they were made with an alloy frame, saving weight on the belt. Mine's fully six oz.s lighter than my steel framed Flat Top...the down side is that felt recoil is noticeably heavier.

I also have a 6" Smith Model 57 that's basically a range gun as well. Either of the long bbl'd guns make a good hunting revolver if carried cross-chest in a tanker type holster.

.44 Magnums can be had in most any bbl. length but you pay for the caliber in weight on the gun belt. For carry, a 4" Smith is my choice since it's easy to tote on an OWB holster without poking up into your short ribs while seated in any modern conveyance.

HTH's Rod

[ammo.crafter]

Cut down 41 mag brass 1/10" and load 41 Colt specs or my own recipe.

[GeauxTide]

I've owned several Smiths since the 70s and bought a Ruger Bisley in the 80s. Now, I've reloaded it since the 70s because factory ammo was and is ridiculous. I did a bunch of hotrod loading back then, too. The 57 and 657, with the extra cylinder beef, stood up to those loads much better than my 29 and 629. The Ruger is a TANK, but I confess I fell in love with the 44 Special and 45 Colt Blackhawks (2 each). I still own the 41 Bisley and cut down my 6" 657 to 4". As with the 44 and 45, I load the 41s with 215 SWC to 1000-1100 and they are delightful.

[Mulebuk Mojo]

Originally Posted by KansasTrapper77

I can shoot 45 Colt all day and 454 when I need some recoil therapy.

I’d just like to hear some of your guy’s thoughts about the 41 Mag.

Perhaps if you don't reload, if you do the .44 magnum is one of the most versatile rounds out and you can reload it down to cowboy action or a hot bear round. Your .357 magnum will take a white tale but you better know how shoot and then it should be coming out of a carbine. Not many States will let you use it on deer however.

Your notion about recoil therapy, it's a lot of money for a gun and ammo you will most likely ever shoot .45 colt out of. The .454 Casull can even make a 12 gauge buckshot round feel tame.
And good luck with all that.