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Old November 29, 2010, 07:51 PM   #51
KBP
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41 Mag vs. 44 Mag

This reminds me of the .270 vs 30-06 discussion. Either the .41 mag or the .44 mag will be lethal on most NA game if you can put the bullet where is should go. I have owned and shot both and its a personal choice. I have never had a problem finding components for reloading the .41. Off the shelf ammo is a little harder to find but I feel its worth the effort! No one has told the full story! The .41 shoots a little flatter than the .44 so I like that fact combined with the reduced recoil of the .41! IMO my .41 does not kick much more than my .357! Again, its personal choice- try both then decide.
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Old November 29, 2010, 10:58 PM   #52
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I dunno what happened to me. I've owned a slew of .44 Magnums. My first handgun was a Super Blackhawk.

Now the most "powerful handgun" I own is a Blackhawk .41 Magnum. Yes I had an X frame in the .460 and three .454 Casulls over the years, but I always felt the .44 Magnum was really enough for a handgun.

I've had 3 or 4 .41 Magnums before over time and they all slipped out of my hands for some reason I can't recall.

Now that I feel I have a complete collection I see the .41 Blackhawk has become the replacement for a .44 Magnum.

The fact that it is "cultic" seems to create an effervescent aura around me when I handle my .41 Blackhawk.

I wonder if it has more spirit or something than it is given credit for.
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Old November 30, 2010, 11:55 AM   #53
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I see I replied 6 years ago; the only change is .41ammo is even more expensive!!! I will second the observation on the .41s flat-shooting qualities though.
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Old November 30, 2010, 12:53 PM   #54
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I have heard it stated without a shred of physical evidence that a .41 magnum N-frame will hold up better than a .44 magnum. It could be true but I'd think you'd have to do a lot of shooting first. It might not be long in coming if you did, say, metallic silhouette shooting. But that's S&W N-frames; maybe it wouldn't matter with other revolvers.
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Old November 30, 2010, 08:33 PM   #55
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Raging Bull in 30 Carbine,

I was watching a TV show about various rifles being demonstrated on water bottles, and ballistic gelatin..... I was surprised that the .30 carbine bullet was as effective in gelatin as the .30-06 M-1 Garrand round.... despite having a much shorter case...I would assume that the .30 carbine round would suffer some velocity loss through a shorter pistol barrel, but might be a fun combination... especially if one reloads....
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Old December 8, 2010, 03:19 AM   #56
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Great info, and thanks to post #23 for resurrecting an old thread as I found lots of useful (and up to date) info about .41 vs .44 I found this forum via google because of this thread, wonder if I would have if the thread remained dead in 2004? Great forum btw..
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Old December 8, 2010, 04:02 PM   #57
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I can relate to that sense of spirit on the .41, I had both the S&W .41 and .44's in 8-3/8" barrels, and the .41 just felt tighter and more accurate. I could shoot it better. I used to think it was a heavier barrel that made a better weight and balance feel. I know I could hit a smaller zone with it at 100 yards or over with a two handed standing hold. I for some reason hit deer with it better than I did with the .44.

This one's hard to quantify but for me the .41 had a more confidence inspiring sense of presence.
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Old December 8, 2010, 05:02 PM   #58
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Cheaper Than Dirt is selling Bitterroot Valley 41 mag ammo for under $30 for 50-ct boxes in both semi-wad cutters and jacketed HP's.
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Old July 23, 2011, 09:00 AM   #59
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41 vs 44 mag

Interesting thread; started in 2004 and then suddenly picked up again with new life in 2010. I guess online searches enables that. Ok here it is, 2011.
Something never mentioned is case capacity. The case capacity of the .41 mag is exactly the same as the .44 special! Now, ppl shoot .44 specials out of their .44 Magnums for lighter loads and less recoil, right? The weights of the two smiths are only within a couple or a few ounces of each other, depending on barrel length and OD. The average bullet weight of the .44's 240 grs compares to the .41'a 210. All in all, while recoil is subjective, objective physics suggests the recoil will be slightly less in the .41. As for bullet weights, ppl are shooting 250 gr, 275, and even 300 grs out of their .41's now. I have heard of some unigue individuals carrying 300 gr loaded blackhawks in .41 even in Alaska for bear protection. I doubt if a grizzly would respond differently if hit by a couple of 300 gr bullets from a .41" 41 magnum vs a .429" 44 magnum. IMO, the .41 magnum smiths will receive less pounding due to less recoil and won't shoot loose as quickly as the .44 magnum, S&W knew that and that is why they they had to upgrade the 629's.
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Old July 23, 2011, 10:29 AM   #60
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never had a 41. just got a 44mag in a bisley hunter ruger. will be testing it out today with factory 240gr. swc leads.

will also reload the 44 with mild to wild home cast bullets (i already load for 45 acp and 45-70). my goal is to have a multi use (target/hunting) gun.

will have to repost with my reactions to the new gun.

more later.
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Old October 31, 2016, 02:38 PM   #61
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Still love this discussion

I picked a S&W 657 the other day just for something different to hunt with. When I sat down to sight it in, I forgot what a sheer pleasure to shoot it was. While I can and do shoot 629's, it is because its there and a tool to use. I tolerate them but the 657 was definitely 20% less subjective recoil and I definitely prefer it over the 629.
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Old October 31, 2016, 02:55 PM   #62
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Yes, greater bullet selection for the 44 Magnum. Recoil ? The one time I fired full power loads of my 4" M-57-didn't really notice a difference, my M-57 wears smooth Herrett's-quasi Jordan style. Now THYEY make a difference.
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Old October 31, 2016, 09:40 PM   #63
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The 44 is the 41 + 15%.

Bigger selection of ammo and bullets for reloading in 44.

Slight advantage to 44.

I have two example in both calibers.

I'm funny that way.
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Old November 1, 2016, 03:40 PM   #64
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When in doubt, my rule of thumb is go with the more popular round.

I just got a deal on CCI blazer, non re loadable, 44 mag. This shop does not carry any odd ammo. More cases of 9mm, 357, 45 acp and 44mag than you can imagine. Almost no variety. They buy in large quantity and pass it along.

Did anyone mention the 44 special? There is no 41 special.
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Old November 1, 2016, 11:28 PM   #65
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44 Mag is The Standard. In My Opinion.

It's a versatile cartridge loaded from "oh jee I don't like recoil" to "let's have some real action".

44 Rem Mag is all you need to know, again, IMO...it doesn't have to be punishing, and I think generally it's not. Virtually nothing is chambered in 41 anymore. Tell me I'm wrong. 41 is like a thing everyone thought would be the perfect medium. But no one really needed a perfect medium.

44 is a nice thing. Go that way.
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Old November 2, 2016, 11:23 AM   #66
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"When in doubt, my rule of thumb is go with the more popular round."

My rule of thumb is to hell with popularity and reload my own ammo.

I may be a bit of an oddball in that I have absolutely no interest, as in zero, in the .44 Magnum, yet I LOVE the .41 Magnum and I LOVE the .44 Special.

I certainly wouldn't turn down a nice Model 29 4" if someone were to be selling one at a very good price, but I've also never gone out of my way to look for one, either, while I have, over the years, worked VERY hard to seek out my Model 58 in .41 Magnum and my Model 24-3 in .44 Special.

But the effort I put into finding those two pales in comparison to the effort I put into my 10+ year search for my Model 25-5 in .45 Long Colt...
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Old November 2, 2016, 03:15 PM   #67
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Quote:
So the main concern is the muzle blast: a hot air wave hitting your face (Not Recoil). Thats what's keeping me from getting a 44 in the first place
Had my .44 Redhawk for 4 years now and never experienced that despite some hot handloads if that is any reassurance...
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Old November 2, 2016, 03:30 PM   #68
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My 1st centerfire handgun was a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag. From a performance perspective there really isn't that much difference. 41 is a true 41 caliber. 44 mag is actually 43 caliber. I don't think there is any living thing that would ever know the difference if hit with either.

But I sold mine because I was a college student and simply couldn't afford to shoot it. I paid $30/ box in the 1970's for ammo. I stayed with 357 mag for ever, but do have a couple of 44's. If buying another today I'd go with 41mag just to be different.

41 and 44 are the same price today and both are equally available locally.

http://www.georgia-arms.com/new-41-r...emi-wadcutter/


http://www.georgia-arms.com/new-44-r...emi-wadcutter/
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Old November 2, 2016, 10:29 PM   #69
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At best it is priced as high as .44mag and is much less available. Not to mention being able to shoot .44spcl through the .44mag. I have no need for a .41mag.
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Old November 3, 2016, 11:08 AM   #70
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No interest in .41. In california, and soon can't order odd ammo. Don't reload yet. So, why buy something i can't feed?

Have .357 and .44mag. There is enough ammo selection to create overlap.

No hunting: range fun and protection. No need for the middle caliber when there is overlap.

Not criticising others- just not interested.

Oh. And we are Necro-Posting. 6 years old. Cool.
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Old November 3, 2016, 11:14 AM   #71
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6 years old?

Try 12 years old.
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Old November 3, 2016, 10:49 PM   #72
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What a necro thread...Halloween was a few days ago.

First started in 2004, resurrected in 2010, then about half a year later in 2011, and now again in 2016...It just won't die.

I have a feeling the OP either decided what he wanted to buy, or went with something else.

For those who just want a feel for .44 or .41, I prefer .41mag, though right now my only "big" bore revolver is a .45LC.
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Old November 3, 2016, 11:19 PM   #73
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Yes. If the OP is still alive, and still cares, then the obvious answer to the 'problem' would be .45 Win Mag. Then the problem shifts from what cartridge to choose to finding a firearm that fires what is surely the finest auto pistol cartridge ever created. Given of course that pesky problem of only having one or two choices of no-longer-manufactured guns that can process the cartridge and no availability at all of factory ammo...but these are minor setbacks.

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Old November 4, 2016, 08:43 AM   #74
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I like my 41 Mags and certainly know the difference from my 44 Mags. But I think the 41 missed its calling as the 41 Special, my custom gun of which allows 6 rounds (not only 5) in a 357 Mag frame. It is my ideal carry revolver in 3", which could certainly be larger and punishing at that length in 41 Magnum.
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Old November 4, 2016, 04:56 PM   #75
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For deer sized game, the .41 Magnum is probably the better cartridge. For bigger game, the .44 carries a sizeable advantage. The .41 can't compete when heavy cast bullets are on the menu.


Quote:
There is no 41 special.
Yes there is.
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