Apparently I was the only one who grew up thinking Dirty Harry ( the .44 Mag.) was too much gun for a kid to hold on to, and the .357 was for wimps.
I never hear anyone talk about the .41 Mag. I started hunting with it about thirty-five years ago and love it. I started with a Ruger Blackhawk and moved to a S&W because I grew out of my cowboy phase.
I put a Leupold on it five years ago. It's killed its share of mule deer, whitetail, axis, javelina, sitka, turkey and plain old jackrabbits.
I love it, but being the only one in the world who shoots one is kinda lonely.
Posts: 13919 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002
Glad to hear there's another 41 fan out there. I feel your pain; it's hard enough to find decent factory ammunition for the 41 here in the US; can't imagine how scarce it is down there. Hopefully you can reload...
Sounds like you've found a great gun/optics combination. Currently, the only 41 I own is a Taurus Tracker; more of a packing/plinking gun than a designated hunter. That's not to say that I wouldn't take the right shot at the right time - I'm completely confident of the cartridge's accuracy and power.
I too have a 41Mag and love it. I have the Tracker in Titanium. Gunner, do you have the stainless steel or titanium? How well does yours shoot? About the best I can do is 2 in. at 25 yards. I have been unable to find a decent SWC cast bullet around 210 grs. Most everybody sees the bevel base bullet and i am not partial to that design.
God Bless Terry
Posts: 172 | Location: Danville, VA, USA | Registered: 08 October 2001
Don't feel alone...I LOVE the 41 Mag also. Mine is a Ruger Redhawk converted by Hamilton Bowen to his Alpine Model. This is the only handgun I ever seem to keep. Great shooter, easy to pack, recoil easily handled, what more could you ask for.
Unfortunately, I get very little hunting here. Too risky. I bought a Browning o/u to hunt quail and dove and the federales took it away on the first hunt. Took me two months to force them to return it.
My .41 is in a bank vault in Dallas. I take it out and shoot it when I go home on vacation each year. That gun just amazes me. I reload for it, and I think it and I are a perfect match. Inside 80 yards if I shoot at something, it dies.
My favorite shot though was at a silver dollar. I was working a rig in the four-corners area of New Mexico. The toolpusher on the rig was a shooting/hunting nut, with a healthy ego. He was bragging about being quite a pistolero. He propped a silver dollar up at about 50 yards and started banging away with his .357. He couldn't hit it, and I couldn't hit it. I finally pulled out my size 41 friend, and after the first shot, we went looking for the coin, haven't found it yet. That was about twenty-five years ago. It was like David Copperfield made it disappear. He was heartbroken.
Posts: 13919 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002
Terry - my Tracker is the stainless version; been beat up by enough guns that I wasn't willing to test the recoil control design of the Titanium version...
Mine shoots just fine. Haven't benched it yet, but off hand it shoots one ragged hole for a cylinder at 7 yards, an inch or so at 15, and 2-3" at 25. I can make the soda can jump with every shot at 25 yards, so I'm happy enough for now. Haven't gotten enough range time to really test out too many loads for accuracy, so I'm sure the pistol is capable of better (not sure I am, though...)
Gunner, That is about what I can do as well. (on a good day) Your comment about the recoil is valid. The Porting and ribber grips make a big difference but it still can be a handfull with full power loads. The 28 ozs sure carry nice though. I did shoot a 357 snubbie right after shooting my 41 and the snubbie was worse.
Posts: 172 | Location: Danville, VA, USA | Registered: 08 October 2001
I just bought a Taurus Tracker .41 mag. in stainless steel today. I was looking for a .45 long colt but really didn't like how the Bisley Blackhawk felt with the 7 1/2 barrel. Didn't like the feel of the Blackhawk with the short barrel. I did like the Tracker with the 4 inch barrel. It just felt good and came up and sighted well for me. I also liked the fact it was ported. I am going to have to get dies soon as $33.00 a box for ammo is just not happining. One question Taurus says max velocity for loads should stay at or under 1300 fps with a 210 grain bullet. My loading book shows that as close to max so can I assume this is pretty much what I would have expected to use as a hunting load providing they shoot well? I only plan to use it as a back up gun for bear and maybe for the occasional very close shot from my tree stand on white tail. What bullets/loads do you guys like?
Kensco - You are not alone! Several years ago I went to buy a Smith Classic Hunter in .44 mag, but someone beat me to it and I "settled" for a stainless Classic Hunter in .41 Mag. Luckiest day of my pistol shooting career.
This is without a doubt the easiest pistol to shoot well I've ever owned. Everyone who shoots it falls in love with it. Very accurate. Very powerful...and I don't even shoot full house loads. Everything I've shot with it dies a swift and terrible death. I won't bore you .41 fans telling you what a great cartridge it is because you already know.
My best friend has a Smith 44 Mag in 6" bbl and he would be tickled to trade me. And his 44 is a good pistol too. There is just something special about the .41. This pistol deserves FAR more attention than it gets.
By the way, I looked at Smith & Wesson's website the other day and I believe they have my pistol back in production!!!!!!!!!!! Besides being a great pistol, I figure it's a good investment as well. There will likely never be many .41's...unless Clint Eastwood makes a movie and uses it .
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
In the first (and i believe 2nd) Dirty Harry Movies, Clint Eastwood used a S&W 57 41 Magnum! The 29 was so popular that the prop company substituted the 57 as they could not obtain the 29's.
The 41 Mag WAS the ORIGINAL Dirty Harry gun!!
Posts: 1574 | Location: Western Pennsylvania | Registered: 12 September 2002
quote:Originally posted by mssmagnum: In the first (and i believe 2nd) Dirty Harry Movies, Clint Eastwood used a S&W 57 41 Magnum! The 29 was so popular that the prop company substituted the 57 as they could not obtain the 29's.
The 41 Mag WAS the ORIGINAL Dirty Harry gun!!
Are you kidding me? Is this for real and how come you know it and I don't? More importantly, how are we going to tell the rest of the world that everyone has rushed out and bought the WRONG PISTOL!
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
I just picked up a "new", unmodified Ruger Flattop in .41 Mag. I've been looking for this gun for 30 years and finally found one in perfect shape. So far I've only shot Rem 210 grain softpoints in it. Man, that thing is accurate.
Anyone got any suggestions for a heavy hard cast lead bullet and load?
Hey Pecos. There was an article in one of the gun rags about the Dirty Harry guns some time back (OK, some decades back, sigh), and they had that particular tidbit in it. They also used an 8 3/8" barrel in some shots to make the barrel look more massive and menacing (frontal quartering close-up shots). God, I know way too much trivia. Take care - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
MSS Magnum you own my gun, or the mate to it. That 57 means so much to me I sent it back to S&W a few years ago and had engraving and my signature placed on it.
I tripled on turkey with it one morning east of Eldorado, Texas. They never knew what hit them. The Model 57 (.41 Mag.) is an uncanny game-getter.
Posts: 13919 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002
Took my first and only Musk Ox(hopefully not my last) with a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag with a Beartooth Bullets 265 grain bullet at 80 yards. Complete penetration. For those who never saw or know how big a Musk Ox is, they go from 500 pounds for cows and 750 pounds for bulls.
Posts: 1058 | Location: Lodge Grass, MT. Sitka, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Chevak, Skagway, Cantwell and Pt. Hope Alaska | Registered: 24 June 2000
quote:Originally posted by Allen Glore: Took my first and only Musk Ox(hopefully not my last) with a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 mag with a Beartooth Bullets 265 grain bullet at 80 yards. Complete penetration. For those who never saw or know how big a Musk Ox is, they go from 500 pounds for cows and 750 pounds for bulls.
Complete Penetration! Wow, that's awesome. I would not have expected that from a 41 or 44...or most rifles. (assuming a shoulder shot)
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
Pecos, here is something we definately agree on. I waited a while and bought a 41 Mag Hunter a couple of years back. It was my third 41. I still have them all. I absolutely love the 41. My 8 3/8" 57 has been worked over by Jack Wiegand and is an awsome gun and a tackdriver. Jack also checked out my hunter for me as well. Almost all of my handgun hunting is done with the 41.
Posts: 3942 | Location: Kansas USA | Registered: 04 February 2002
Well, I hope we agree on more than just fine handguns, Larry. At any rate, I'm jealous of your collection of them.
So far I haven't amassed to impressive a list of kills with mine...purely due to lack of opportunity. First time I took it out I dropped a buzzard at about 75 yds. He was sitting on something and woke up dead. And I've shot up several armadillos. I can assure you they need more "armor" to stop the 41. 215 gr cast bullet goes thru them like they aren't there and jacketed hollow point blows to exit side of them AWAY.
This is one fine hunting pistol and really pleasant to shoot considering the power.
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
Hey everyone! Glad to see that I too am NOT the only .41 shooter in the whole world. Bought my first (Ruger Blackhawk) in 1998 Sold it last Sat. My latest is an S&W 57 8-3/8" W/2.5-7 Bushnell Scope. Just beginning to reload. .41 will be my first attempt; any suggested starter loads? Keep the .41 faith!
Hi Don, I like 18 grs of AA#9 in Rem cases and CCI large pistol primers. I use that load with 210 gr Hornady XTPs or Lasercast 215gr LWCs. That is a max load so you will want to work up to it.
God Bless, Terry
Posts: 172 | Location: Danville, VA, USA | Registered: 08 October 2001
quote:Originally posted by Kensco: MSS Magnum you own my gun, or the mate to it. That 57 means so much to me I sent it back to S&W a few years ago and had engraving and my signature placed on it.
I tripled on turkey with it one morning east of Eldorado, Texas. They never knew what hit them. The Model 57 (.41 Mag.) is an uncanny game-getter.
I have only ever shot 1 turkey with the 57 and a Remington 210JSP. The distance? In excess of 125 yards (and yes i had a witness!!). Everything else i have shot with the 41 dropped after 1 bullet. I am considering having a Competitor pistol built in 41mag... http://www.competitor-pistol.com/ . I think that center grip would make a really good offhand shootin iron!!
Posts: 1574 | Location: Western Pennsylvania | Registered: 12 September 2002
quote:Originally posted by Pecos45: The 41 Mag WAS the ORIGINAL Dirty Harry gun!! Are you kidding me? Is this for real and how come you know it and I don't? More importantly, how are we going to tell the rest of the world that everyone has rushed out and bought the WRONG PISTOL!
I dont remember where i read it BUT IT IS TRUE!!
Ol' Sarge - sent ya a note about the bullets and loading info...
I got my first 41, a ruger blackhawk in 1977. I upgraded to a S&W m 57 6" (TT, TH, TS), in 1980 and find it to be one of the most accurate handguns I own. I dumped 2 of my 357's, and only kept my carry piece, but if I can find a 2 1/2" M58, I'll get rid of that one too!
What's your favorite Powder/bullet combination for Jacketed as well as lead bullets?
Posts: 1984 | Location: The Three Lower Counties (Delaware USA) | Registered: 13 September 2001
Try the Sierra 210 gr. JHC with 19.6 gr. of H110. (I've loaded IMR 4227 but only because I had some on hand.)
I don't load lead so I can't help you there. What's funny is that I had a driller that shot a .41 Mag. years ago. He sold the gun, but the man wouldn't take Pablo's reloads, so he gave nearly 500 rounds to me, most were lead. He had the loads written on the boxes but I don't recall the powder or charge. What I remember is that they are some kind of stout; loaded to the max. I think I've got about 100 rounds left in a vault in Texas.
Posts: 13919 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002
PaFrank, my favorite is 20.2 grains of H110 behind any 210 grain jacketed bullet. It works extremely well in my guns with XTPs, Sierra JHCs and the Remington soft points. I do most of my hunting with the XTP. They all shoot to the same point of aim for me. I don't shoot lead (just don't have any) or I would use 800X for those.
Posts: 3942 | Location: Kansas USA | Registered: 04 February 2002
Old Sarge, see if you can find a Lyman 410429 mould. It throws a 240 gr bullet that shoots well in both my .41's (Ruger and S&W). I use them with H110 or Wc820 and they work great. The Ruger's small trigger guard can do a number on your finger with max loads but the accuracy is good. C.G.B.
Posts: 238 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 05 June 2001
Well after the last melt down i didn't think the .41 bunch would still be here. Any one who has seem my post knows how I feel about the .41RemMag. I currently have three wheel guns in .41RemMag. A plane jane Ruger BH a Taurus 425 Tracker(use it as my carry gun 98% of the time) and a Gary Reeder Custom SBH duel cylinder 5 shooter in .41RemMag and .41GNR. I also have two 14 inch Contender barrels in .41RemMag a BullBerry and a Fox Ridge. My very first .41 was S/W 657. I killed my first and best handgun deer with that gun. Traded it for my first Contender( stupid move ) For years my hunting .41 round was 19.5/2400/sierra 210. Lots of deer have died as if hit by lightening with that combo. I have never recovered a bullet and I shoot all my game with slightly below center/center front shoulder bullet placement. I sure found the handgun for me. The .41RemMag was a last gasp for me it was all or give it all up but it did what it does best so I still hunt today hundguns only and if you ever meet me on a hunt you can bet the bank I'll have a .41RemMag with me. I'll also have a .41 wildcat or two.
Posts: 218 | Location: Sand Hills of NC | Registered: 21 May 2002
Crawfish, What do you think about the 1300 fps warning Taurus says in their handbook that comes with the Tracker? Is your pet load fall into that range?
Well I better start checking out this forum more often. I see you guys almost got a full page of talk on the 41 Rem,mag. With out me seeing it. That just won't do! I love the 41 Rem mag. I started my Handgun hunting life with a S&W 57 6" target triger and hammer. I still hunt with it today and have never felt the need to go to another gun. It has done such a great job of killing stuff I have never bought another hunting handgun. 14 years of service and she still shoots as well as day one. I scoped it last year with a Nikkon 2X. Very clear and I'm working on getting used to a scoped handgun. X-Ring
For Jacobite, My hunting loads are on a different level than what I use in my Tracker. I feel the the 425 may be able to "handle" a slightly hotter load than the 415 I still tend to not push the envelope with it. My carry load is Unique/10/215-220g GC lead WFN. I have never put this load over my beta-master to see just what it is doing but it shoots well at 7 yards, is easy to control, and doesn't rip my ears off. Maybe if I run it through those sky screens it will stop shooting so well. My hunting loads all use heavy 250g and up hardcast lead GC WFN/LFN bullets from CPBT or BearTooth with MAX+ charges of 110,296,2400,4759, or 4227. Just now all my efforts are centered around 4227 because I'm working on loads for my .41 wildcats, a .41GNR, .41GNR#2, and a .411JDJ. I really like the .41 in a hand gun. The .41RemMag will do anything I ask of it with less bark and bite than the .44RemMag. My introduction to handgun hunting was rather desperate, I'm just glad that I knew so little about it that I purchased a "wimpy in between caliber" like the .41RemMag.
Posts: 218 | Location: Sand Hills of NC | Registered: 21 May 2002
While everyone is on the subject can anyone recommend a factory load for a 41 snub taurus for bear backup? I don't reload for the 41 because I don't shoot it all that much. Thanks for the help.
Posts: 132 | Location: Anacortes WA | Registered: 04 May 2002
Federal has a load with a cast performace bullet in it. I believe they call it CastCore and load it with a 250GR hard cast bullet. Details: http://www.federalcartridge.com/default.asp?menu=consumer Then pick ammunition catalog, then premium, then handgun, then castcore, and finally 41mag
[ 06-06-2002, 14:18: Message edited by: twillis ]
Posts: 172 | Location: Danville, VA, USA | Registered: 08 October 2001
TonyK, Just so you would know that Frederal load duplicates one of my better hunting loads for my .41RemMag. Shooting that load in my Contenders or my one of my BHs' is a pure pleasure for me and I can really burn some powder at that level. In my 425 that round is HOT/HEAVY and a double hand full. That being said your Tracker loaded with that round and faced with a bear situation is MORE THAN UP for the task. Time to say it again. The .41RemMag will take care of anything you care to place in front of it and it won't beat you up doing it when compared to anything in a larger caliber at the same preformance level.
Posts: 218 | Location: Sand Hills of NC | Registered: 21 May 2002
Notice I didn't say I had shot the Federal load in my Tracker. Mine is Titanium and weights 28 oz. I would expect that would be a "handful". Is your Tracker Stainless of Titanium? Your Reeder Blackhawk is beautiful. You wouldn't be interested in giving it to a poor ole Virginia boy, would you? Took my boy shooting this weekend. Had a load of 4 grs of bullseye with a 215 gr cast bullet. Then I slipped in some 175gr silvertips. You ought to have seen his face. It was priceless but he loved it.
Posts: 172 | Location: Danville, VA, USA | Registered: 08 October 2001
Thanks for the good words about "The Green Machine" as Gary calls it. My Tracker is SS. I had the chance to shoot both the 2inch T and the 4inch SS before I had to buy. The 2inch gun was just to hard on the ears. The sharp bark was like an icepick in the eye. Found that the 4inch gun moves that muzzle blast just far away enough to take away that bite. Before anyone jumps I always ware double hearing protection
Posts: 218 | Location: Sand Hills of NC | Registered: 21 May 2002
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) For years my hunting .41 round was 19.5/2400/sierra 210. Lots of deer have died as if hit by lightening with that combo. I have never recovered a bullet and I shoot all my game with slightly below center/center front shoulder bullet placement. I sure found the handgun for me. The .41RemMag was a last gasp for me it was all or give it all up but it did what it does best so I still hunt today hundguns only and if you ever meet me on a hunt you can bet the bank I'll have a .41RemMag with me. I'll also have a .41 wildcat or two. ![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif){kind=icon}
