Getting the hots for a .41magnum

Don't count out a Henry BBS in .41 mag. I love mine, with iron sights and my old eyes shooting off hand at 50 yds every shot in a 4" circle is doable. Off bags at 100 keeping everything in 6" is pretty regular. And it packs a pretty good wallop, 210gr XTP hollowpoints at almost 1600fps MV ain't no slouch. If I ever used it for hunting I bet a nice 4 power scope would cut those groups in half.
 
I bought my 1894FG new for something like $429... I wish I would have bought 10 of them. They are worth every penny, however.

I have mine converted to a straight-grip and lever, and have a Williams peep on the receiver. It loves IMR4227 and Cast Performance 250grn FP's... but, really, shoots anything well.
 
I wanted a .41 lever and passed on a couple of Marlins while they were still in the $500.00-$600.00 range. Then the price went through the roof and I gave up. A few years later lo and behold Henry came through and I snatched one asap. I liked it so much I had to add one in .357 as well. No regrets. Just so much fun to shoot, and one of the most natural feeling guns I've ever shot.
 
I never thought of the .41 Mag as something that I just had to have. It always seemed to me to be the perfect solution to a non existent problem. I would have never paid close to retail for a gun in this caliber.

Over a decade ago I came upon two of them at an estate sale for a price that I just couldn't refuse. One was a Ruger Blackhawk and the other was a S&W Model 57. Both were in excellent shape. I figured I could turn them over for a reasonable profit if I couldn't find a place for them in my "arsenal" so I purchased them both.

Like I said, this was over a decade ago and I still own them both and shoot them both regularly. They are now some of my favorite handguns. Accuracy is outstanding with either revolver.

Yes, they are a reloaders proposition if economical shooting is what you are looking for. Factory loads are expensive but components aren't any more expensive than for any other caliber. Starline brass is affordable and available, so is hard cast lead. I love shooting hard cast lead bullets with a stout load of 2400, but my favorite range loads are with a mild load of 7.0gr. Unique with those same bullets. Neither of these loads lead the bore of my revolvers and almost anyone can handle the Unique loads.:) I love seeing the astonished look of confidence when a new shooter consistently hits the target with one of those huge guns using those light loads.

I'm still looking for that great deal on a lever gun in this caliber.
 
I bought a S&W model 57 in 1982 and loved it. Sadly, a few years ago I was forced to sell it during a rough patch.

In June this year, we ran across a Henry Steel Carbine in .41 Magnum, and I got it for Father's day. I still have the reloading dies for .41 magnum and will load for it.

Now I'm considering a handgun in the same caliber, another 57, a Blackhawk or a Redhawk.
 
...I'm just "odd"... .41 Magnum is my favorite revolver cartridge and .38 Super is my favorite semi-auto cartridge.... For me they both have astounding accuracy and shootability...

Not sure at this point how many .41s I own... Have them from S&W, Ruger, Freedom Arms, Marlin, Taurus, USFA, TC, and IMI.

One thing not mentioned about accuracy is that almost all of the .41s made are bored the same, unlike many .44s and .45s many of which have way oversize cylinder throats...

As to ammo...there is now more commercial ammo from the Big Three and other smaller companies than ever before in history...and fewer new guns than ever before. If it wasn't for Ruger, Freedom Arms and Henry the .41 would be about dead as S&W only offers one...with "The Hole". But if one wants a nice .41 there are usually a lot for sale on the web, most in real nice condition.

One can now also buy .41 Special brass from Starline and loaded ammo from Reed's Ammo and several others. Target velocity .41 Magnum ammo is also available from HSM, Georgia Arms and several other smaller makers. I don't see where it is any more expensive than buying comparable ammo in .44 Magnum, .44 Special or .45 Colt...

Started this thread over on the CastBoolit Forums...lots of good links and posts for "Cult" members....

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?276144-41-Magnum-41-Special-Load-Data-Center

...a few of mine...

1979 57 blue Class A
1964 57 blue
1980 57 nickel Class A
1980 57 blue
1986 657 stainless
1999 657 Mountain Gun

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1964 Model 58 parkerized...

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1990s vintage Hunter, serial number 5...

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1986 657 4"...

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1970s vintage 57 8 3/8"...

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...great caliber...just neglected...

Bob
 
41 mag

Have been hunting with model 57 6" for years and it is a joy to shoot and extremely accurate.

Remove 1/10th inch from standard 41 Mag brass to form the 41 Special for target practice and non-hunting situations. I believe Starline now sells 41 Special brass.

Lots of bullets for the 41 out there from jacketed to hard cast lead to play with. Do not reload with Blue Dot powder.

This round is definitely a reloader's caliber.
 
Why trim down a the standard length case? Just load the standard case with a reduced load and have fun with it! That's what I have done for many years and the accuracy has always been great. :) No need to over complicate things. KISS!:D
 
I too have never understood a .41 Special. There are no revolvers made for it, so no need for the difference in length to prevent putting a magnum length cartridge in by accident as in the case of either a .38Sp, or a .44Sp. If worried about too much open space in the case, just seat deeper with a reduced load. The .41 Mag was conceived and built from the beginning as a magnum only, not a hopped up special. But hey, whatever floats your boat.
 
I too have never understood a .41 Special.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that one... it doesn't really provide any benefit, the cylinder is Magnum length in any event. But, hey, to each his own.

Now... if S&W ever produced that 686 in .41 Special...! Me thinks they would have a line around the block for them, full of rabid .41 fans.
 
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