I have a Taurus Titanium 41 magnum I bought for a trail gun. I really like it the recoil is pretty reasonable for such a light revolver.

It looks like from what I have read most folks are recommending a good 250gr or so cast bullet for defense on whatever may come up on the trail.

My question is which jacketed bullets are there out there that would provide the best penetration as an alternative to using cast bullets.

A full metal jacket might work, or a plated version of a SWC or RNFP. I liked the Sierra Full Profile Jacket in 220 gr in my .41s over a max load of H-110. This bullet has a little dimple of lead exposed on the tip, but otherwise looks like a truncated cone bullet. It penetrated well, even on the tough gristle plates of wild boar. It did mushroom on those shoulder shots, but would break both shoulders.

I have shot the lighter ( under 200 grs) JHP's in my .41 mag...and even at reduced velocities they were simply explosive. They make a fist size exit wound on Texas armadillos. So obviously this is NOT the bullet you want for penetration and larger game.

On the other hand, I'm not a great fan of using super heavy bullets in pistols. I feel you often give up as much as you gain...unless the only use you plan for the gun is trying to shoot a bear off the top of you.

MY personal choice would be something around 215 grs and with a minimum amount of lead exposed.

I think the problem is for years pistol shooters have complained that no one was building pistol bullets that would open up reliably. Finally the bullet makers start producing jacketed bullets that do this very well...but now the pistol crowd is howling for bullets that penetrate! The bullet mfg'rs can't win. Just a good hard cast 215 gr SWC would PROBABLY be a good combination bullet. My .41 loves them and is mighty deadly with them...but this experience is based on various varmits and not big game. That's my .02 worth.

For a whole bunch of years my hunting load for my .41s' was Sierra JHP 210g (#8520)Power Master over 19.5g of 2400 with a heavy crimp. Still load that round 'cause my granddaughter loves it. I don't use it to hunt much anymore. I have a Taurus 415, 416 and a 425. That load is fun to shoot in the 416 but not so much fun in the smaller guns and down right eye opening in that 2 inch gun. I use the 425 as my primary CCP gun loaded that way for winter carry and with a 215g lead over 6.5g/Bull's Eye for summer carry. When it comes to .41s the bullet choice is pretty slim when compaired to say .357 or .44. Jacketed bullets come in four flavors; 170, 200, 210, and 220. Right off hand I can think of 4 big name bullet companies that make at least one of those. If it is peneration you are looking for as you say then go with the 220g stuff, all of it is FMJ(hard ball) TC used mostly for shooting steel, shoots very well in all my .41s' (I have 13 of them).

Thanks for the info guys.
From your responses looks like there are several alternatives to the reloader.
I reload for several rifle calibers but would rather stay away from getting started reloading for my revolver unless I can't get the kind of load I really need in a factory loaded option. I only plan to shoot a few boxes a year to keep in practice and then I will carry it on the trail when scouting or backpacking.
Do you know, are any of these cast bullet alternatives you folks have mentioned available in a factory loaded round.
I realize there are not normally a lot of choices on the shelf in 41 mag at the sporting good store, but I should be able to order a few boxes of the best option available.
What would you recommend as the best factory loaded option or is reloading the only way to go to use these types of bullets?

In factory ammo i would pick Winchester 175 grain Silver Tip for the lite stuff and Federal 250 grain Castcore for the heavies!

For factory as a backup gun, I recommend the PMC 41C 210 TCSP at 1300 fps. It does a very nice job. The 41A JHP also does a nice job for regular deer and hog hunting.

Thanks again. I have been shooting some of the Winchester 175gr they shoot very accurately out of my revolver.
Is the cast core different that a hard cast lead bullet?
Larry translate please? Is PMC the brand, 41C the caliber, but what is a TCSP.
Thanks

Federal Castcore line uses a 250 gas checked cast bullet. I have not seen any jacketed bullets over 220 grains in factory loadings. If you were a reloader, Hornady now makes a 300 JSP....