Need advice on the 41 Magnum

Z

ZeppelinM16

New member
I have heard speculations that the 41 magnum does not pack enough power to bring down large game such as various types of deer, bear, cougars etc. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
 
A .41 Mag is more than plenty to hunt with, as long as you can accurately put a well constructed bullet in the vitals of the game animal.

I might not use it as a first choice for elk and brown bears but it most certainly will work well for deer, black bears, and cougars.
 
People have varying opinions.

If you think that the .44Mag is good enough for bear then it's hard to argue that the .41Mag is insufficient. On the other hand, if you think that the .44Mag is not enough then the .41Mag isn't either.
 
People have varying opinions.

If you think that the .44Mag is good enough for bear then it's hard to argue that the .41Mag is insufficient. On the other hand, if you think that the .44Mag is not enough then the .41Mag isn't either.
Click to expand...

Concur, plus the .41 has a flatter trajectory.
 
I don't own a 41, but I have no negative thoughts about it compared to my 44 mag. For all practical purposes, they do the same thing in the real world. Pretty much the same stopping power with the same recoil. I don't have one but I'm looking for one just because I want one. Why? Because I don't have one. It's a great cartridge and no need to hear the age old argument comparing it to the 44. If those 2 are not enough, then you have to go to the super mags like 460 and 500 or something like that.
 
Would not feel under-armed for game..

with a .41Mag.

The rarely seen 4" Ruger Redhawk in .41Mag., SHOULD be Ideal!!
Presently carry while hiking ib WA Cascades either a 4" .357Mag, with federal 180gr Hot-cast lead or GM.45ACP using thr old Hornady factory loaded, 230gr FMJ-FP.
 
The last whitetail I took with my .41 was shot with a 210 gr. XTP handloaded to about 1,300 fps with H110. It was not a broadside shot. In the front of the ribcage and out the left haunch. It traversed the entire body with an impressive exit that ruined the entire haunch. The blood trail was as easy to follow as a sidewalk. Figure the length of a deer and that would be the penetration plus whatever it had left.
 
I laughed out loud at the your informant's opinion that the .41 Mag is inadequate for deer or cougars (s/he's wrong on the black bear, too, but not so hysterically so).

The source of those speculations that you've heard does not appear to know what s/he's talking about. :rolleyes:
 
.41 Magnum is generally considered to be plenty for the medium-sized game you describe. It is only when you get into the very large, potentially dangerous animals (i.e. grizzly) that the extra power of the .44 Magnum is really benificial. The down side to the .41 as opposed to the .44 is that the latter cartridge is both more popular and a bit more versatile. The .44 can be downloaded to match the ballistics of the .41, but you're more likely to find .44 ammo at your local Wal-Mart then you are .41 and at a lower price (though pricing and availability of all ammo is less than ideal right now).
 
Don't listen to them, I shot a mad chipmunk with one and I was almost mauled to death. I have owned both the 44mag and 41 mag. I sold my 44's and own only 41's now. Nothing wrong with the 44, its just the 41 has less recoil and gets the job done just as well. The only downside to the 41 is it is more of a reloaders round than the 44. Factory ammo for the 44 is easier to find and there are more factory loaded market variations for the 44.
 
There are a lot of opinions on what is adequate for certain game. In Truth it has more to do with shot placement than caliber. I knew a government trapper who used a 22 pistol to finish off black bears in traps, have been told that a lot of dear were killed with 22s. The 41 is not that far behind a 44 and Dan Wesson killed all the big North American game with a 357 back in the thirties. Any hand gun requires more skill than a rifle to use. As a kid I remember hearing how a 45 wold knock a man down if you hit him on the hand or how a 357 or 44 was to difficult to hold onto and so on and so forth. A big heavy bullet will do things that a light fast bullet wont.
 
41 vs 44

"Any animal shot with a 41 magnum will SWEAR it was a 44"

I don't know the source of that quote, but looking at the ballistics, I believe it.

The 41 Magnum will carry the same energy and the same momentum as the 44 Magnum, or more. Don't take my word for it. Read your manuals.

The .41 slugs (in the same weight as the .44) will also carry its velocity further down the field, too and therefore shoot flatter and be effective farther out.

Where the 41 is overshadowed (ballistically, not public relations) is in frontal area (the 44 has 9.5% advantage) and in potential maximum bullet weight (in the same length/diameter ratio, the 44 has a 14.5% advantage).

But, I repeat, the 41 magnum, in the same bullet weight, will match the 44 magnum for velocity, momentum and energy, and carry it further and flatter.


Plus, the 41 is more truthful. It is actually .410" in diameter. The 44 is actually a 43. Not that truth matters much to hunters and fishers.:eek:! If you invent a cartridge, you get to name it whatever you want.:D


But, yeah, the 44 is bigger and a 15% more massive bullet when it comes to facing a Brown Bear is nothing to sneeze at. For a fast stop, you need to break bone. No substitute for frontal area and momentum. That's why a lot of knowledgeable handgunners prefer a hot 45 Colt to the 44 Magnum for bear defense. (10.5% more frontal area 45 over 44 and 16.2% more mass). You do your research and make your choices.

Lost Sheep
 
41 Mag is GREAT

Have owned several 41 Mags over the years and currently have a 657 4" and a Bisley 7.5". The books say 15% less power and recoil than the .44 Mag, which feels about right to me. You'll love it.
 
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