A great caliber, but over-shadowed by the mighty .44's. It's a handloader's proposition now, ammunition being prohibitively expensive unless you've hit the lottery big time.
But by handloading, it comes into it's own...Lyman's Keith replica 410459, if memory serves, is a superb bullet for hunting or defense if you don't mind toting a 48 oz. revolver.
My Smith 57, a 6 incher, bought new in 77, then tweaked at the service shop in Smith's old plant up in Springfield, has always been a tack-driver. Most any reasonable load will do at less than 2" at 25 yds from a seated, back rested position, and that covers lead alloy (Lyman's venerable 410459 if memory serves), which was a Keith inspired design It's posted sub 2" gps all the way out to 50 yds when I had the eyes and wrists to steer it properly. I kept these at 1200 fps or below to allow exclusive use of wheel weight alloy, and 50-50 lube, but most were for fun target shooting at just below 1000 fps. It was and is a great bullet, every bit the equal of the standard for the .44's (Lyman's 429421 or it's equivalent.) Good powders abound for this velocity spread including: Unique, 231, Herco, WST, and WSF. All will fill the bill.
Too, Sierra's 170 & 210 gr JHP's, are equally superb and probably better for hunting with their greater velocity. I've had them at better than 1300 fps over the chrono and with the accuracy mentioned above. Better handgun-hunting bullets, at least here in KY, are hard to imagine. 2400, Ac#9, and Win 296 all give about equal accuracy and that kind of velocity.
I also worked with Speer and Hornady offerings at ~210 gr weights and found them equally good. I especially like the Hornady XTP at 210 gr for deer. It's done the job several times in the past 20 years or so.
HTH's but the .41 Magnum IS a reloader's caliber, but offset that with the chance to find a truly great condition gun at less than you'd pay for a pristine Smith or Ruger in .44 Magnum. Lastly, I'd second a previous poster's wish for a Smith M69 (L frame with a five shot cylinder) in .41 Magnum. The gun's lighter weight, and the .41's 15% less recoil than a .44 Mag. would make it a natural for back country carry.
Lastly, if you go the .41 route, I'd recommend laying in an apple supply of brass to last through the future. It's unique as far as I know, and not easy to find on occasion. Starline is what I use now. It's listed at $100 for 500 pieces this evening.
Best Regards, Rod