In the next week or so I plan to order a revolver through Gander Mountain. I want a reasonably compact and lightweight gun to take with me while hiking, fishing and camping as protection from predators on both two and four legs and mostly to detonate the occasional woodchuck, porcupine, raccoon or possum. I would also like to comfortably hunt deer with it inside of 50 yards. I have pretty much settled on the .41 magnum and have gone so far as to order dies, bullets and brass but I am torn between a 4" Taurus Tracker or a 4 5/8" Blackhawk. It seems that the Taurus has everything I'm looking for but I have read so many mixed reviews about it that I am unsure. Any pesonal experiences with either gun would be greatly appreciated. I'd also like some powder recommendations for mid range loads with 210 jsp's. I am thinking of giving 2400 a try. I'd like something in the 1100-1200 fps range out of the 4" barrels. Any help would be great. Thanks

Get the Ruger Blackhawk, 2400 powder for the mild loads and some H110 for the heavier loads, also get some 210 gr. hard cast bullets as well as you jsp's.

Never has a Tarus but have had the blackhawk for 25 years, great gun and string as an ox. Use 2400,296,H110,

I also recommend the Blackhawk. You can also use Lil' Gun for the magnum loads. The other recommendations are good, too.

I have both, 4 5/8 BH and a 4" tracker, Love them both, but the tracker has good features, double action, ported,and a padded grip. They are probably about the same price. I use H110, and load out of my Hornady manual. I shot mtn. lion, deer, and one elk with the .41. My kid has killed black bear and mt lion and deer with the BH. Just a good little round and firearm!

You'll have a better chance of getting a good accurate revolver out of the box with the Blackhawk IMO. In addition, for about $20 you can self-gunsmith the trigger pull with a Wolf spring kit and usually make it very acceptable.

BTW you can usually save quite a few bucks by buying one NIB on Gunbroker and finding someone near you who charges reasonable transfer fees.

I'd have to recommend the Blackhawk as well. Never had one that didn't shoot well.

As for propellants, H110 is perfectly suited to the cartridge with full-house loads. I've never been too keen on reduced loads as I like to plink and practice with the same loads I hunt with.

I will ditto the above posts, with one exception. I have had extremely good luck with 21 grains of IMR-4227 in my 41s. That load shot 210-grain Remington JSPs and the Lyman 410459, a 220-grain cast SWC, to the same hole if I did my part, and percieved recoil was less than with some of the other powders you see listed here.

It was my go-to load for a long time. I finally settled on AA #5 because it metered so much better. I felt like anything over about 1100 was overkill, because 1100 fps in a hard cast would shoot completely through anything I was going to hunt.

check the prices at your local gunshop or other box stores before you buy around me the gander mountain is more expensive the everybody dick's, basspro and the local dealers

GET THE blackhawk I have eight different Blackhawks the .41 is the one for whatever reason I shoot the best Also check other shops for prices. Around here Gander Mtn is always the highest

I would go with the Ruger Blackhawk in .41Magnum. The 4&5/8ths inch barrel is very packable. As for a medium load, I have been using Unique for decades in the .41Magnum. I usually carry loads that run @ 1000FPS with a 210 or 220gr bullet. For heavy hunting loads I go to H110, W296, Lil gun, or 2400. My main two however are Unique and H110. I've got 37 different .41Magnums to feed and many .41 caliber wildcats. It's as my signature reads.

I thought the 4 5/8 barrel blackhawk 41 magnum I owned was just too short for hunting use.It was great for carrying,though.I would get a 6" barrel at least if I get another.
The best powder I found was AA#9. In my 7" redhawk it had excellent velocity and accuracy out to 100 yds. With the scope mounted I would get 2" groups easily.The load I used would have been a real hand full with the 4 5/8 barrel blackhawk,but was pretty tame in the bigger redhawk,with a longer barrel.
I thought 2400 was very dirty compared to the #9 powder.
I also liked a 240 gr bullet,instead of the standard 210.

Am a Smith and Blackhawk fan ... get the Blackhawk. Fine revolver.

Took a doe at 65 yards with the 41 Mag S&W last Saturday. She dropped at the shot. Is the 6th deer I've taken with 41 Mag pistols in the last few years. Never had a problem with 210 Keith cast or SPs.

AA#9 is a great medium velocity powder. Burns clean and gives very consistent velocities. H110 (296) is as good as it gets for heavy loads.

The Ruger for sure. For full power loads it doesn't get any better that H-110 & W-296

Another vote for the Ruger. Never been very impressed with Taurus' products. Get the Blackhawk and never look back.

I've owned 7 .41 Magnums over the last 30 years, and still own a 7 1/2" FA and a Ruger 4 5/8" Blackhawk. For the uses you describe, get the 4 5/8" Blackhawk. They are outstanding.
I recommend and use 17.5 gr. of 2400 with a 210 Sierra JHC and CCI 300 primers for about 1150-1200 fps from the Blackhawk as an everyday load, and 21 gr. of WW 296 with the same bullet and CCI 350 primers for more power, when I feel it might be necessary.That load runs 1435 fps from the FA; I don't believe I've ever chronographed it from the Blackhawk.

im not a fan of tarus there customer service is the pits if something goes wrong. that been said that little tracker in 41 and epecially 45acp has allways interested me. Ive never shot one. Ive had mixed experinces with it from other people i know one that has one that loves it and another that has had his lock up twice on him. The blackhawks are tried and true. there accurate and as strong as a hammer. If i wanted a DA id be looking for a 4 inch smith 57 or 657.

IMHO you can't go wrong with the 41 Mag. cartridge

quote:

"range it,check the wind, dial in correction,aim,sqeeze and only one shot"

.41 is a great round.

Blackhawk is a stronger, great gun.

Taurus is a lighter for carry gun, and todays models are built very well

Really two different guns, either one will do. Try to handle each one if you can.

My biggest advice is to shop around at other places. Around here, Gander mountain tends to be quite a bit higher. I see New blackhawks probably $50 to $75 higher at GM than the local small shops. Most guns are about $100 high at Gander. IMHO

Here's a contrary opinion to the majority of previous posters:

I wouldn't give you spit for a single action revolver using your criteria. Why? When split seconds count, how fast can you get off a shot when you have to cock the hammer for each shot? Second, if you're like me, that ancient hog-leg grip gives me fits. The muzzle always ends up facing straight up after each shot. One almost needs 2 hands to operate a single action pistol. Give me a good double action anytime.

But if your mind is already made up as to single action, the Blackhawk is a decent choice.

If the movies reflect our American culture, how come Dirty Harry didn't carry a single action?

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Here's a contrary opinion to the majority of previous posters:

I wouldn't give you spit for a single action revolver using your criteria. Why? When split seconds count, how fast can you get off a shot when you have to cock the hammer for each shot? Second, if you're like me, that ancient hog-leg grip gives me fits. The muzzle always ends up facing straight up after each shot. One almost needs 2 hands to operate a single action pistol. Give me a good double action anytime.

But if your mind is already made up as to single action, the Blackhawk is a decent choice.

If the movies reflect our American culture, how come Dirty Harry didn't carry a single action?

You need more practice with a single action buddy.

The 41mag is a great carterige! I love mine and have hunted with it for around 18 years.
Mine is a S&W model 57 6" with a Nikon scope.
I think you will be very happy with the 41. Of the 2 you asked about. Ruger would be my choice.
I have had such good results with H110 powder I don't even load any other powders in mine anymore.
FWIW MM

I have owned two Ruger 44 Blackhawks/Super Blackhawks and enjoyed both. They were flawless from the factory but being the tinkerer I am, I changed springs, honed sears etc on both. They are wonderful guns you won't go wrong with one. That being said my last purchase was a new Redhawk 4" double action 44 mag. I love it. Its in it's refining process now. I would not overlook this option for a back pack, outdoors "Varmint" gun. DW

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
Here's a contrary opinion to the majority of previous posters:

I wouldn't give you spit for a single action revolver using your criteria. Why? When split seconds count, how fast can you get off a shot when you have to cock the hammer for each shot? Second, if you're like me, that ancient hog-leg grip gives me fits. The muzzle always ends up facing straight up after each shot. One almost needs 2 hands to operate a single action pistol. Give me a good double action anytime.

But if your mind is already made up as to single action, the Blackhawk is a decent choice.

If the movies reflect our American culture, how come Dirty Harry didn't carry a single action?

All of my big revolvers are DAs and I only shoot one in double action because it is a carry gun. Other than that, you won't be shooting 'em DA any how. Yes, it's nice having the option, but you make it sound like it's a last ditch back-up weapon, in which case I personally wouldn't choose something small like the .41 mag. If I read the crieria wrong and it is not just a back up, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the single action revolver IMHO.

As Redhawk pointed out, you just need to practice.......

The only practice I do anymore is with double action revolvers. I sold my Hawes Chief Marshall 44 mag years ago, after it sat in the safe for 15 years, because it was a pain to shoot.

"I want a reasonably compact and lightweight gun to take with me while hiking, fishing and camping as protection from predators on both two and four legs and mostly to detonate the occasional woodchuck, porcupine, raccoon or possum." And he plans on buying the pistol from Gander Mountain. He doesn't sound like the hardcore type like most of you single action folks. Although he posted his question on this handgun hunting forum, he doesn't intend on his choice being the be-all and end-all of handgun hunting weapons. That's why I answered the way I did.

I have use of a spade shovel from time to time, but I don't spend countless hours digging useless holes in the ground just so I'll know how to use a shovel when the time comes. I suspect Kedron plans on using his new handgun the same way...as a tool he can hang on his belt.

quote:

in which case I personally wouldn't choose something small like the .41 mag.

Whitworth, I respect your opinion, and like your posts, but that statement above is just funny, to me... Anything you can do with the .44 you can do with the .41, and do it with 20% less powder, less recoil, and a flatter trajectory.

I have stated this before in other posts: in my 654 FA, I have seen a clocked 1800 fps from a 295-grain SSK bullet. I know, you can do the same thing with the .44 SSK and an FA, but I still say, dead is dead... How much energy is left after you exit the animal is a moot point.

Besides; all the dinosaurs in the US are dead. There aren't any left to hunt!

A 41 is a great caliber but recognize that you will be ordering most components where if you went with a 44 they would be in stock.
onefzr2, Both Bob Munden and Ed Mcgivern used SA in their exibitions, practice some more.

Smith m58 or 57 Ruger Blackhawk
Winchester 296 and Hardcast LBT Bullets.
and after all that.A Marlin Lever Action.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
I have use of a spade shovel from time to time, but I don't spend countless hours digging useless holes in the ground just so I'll know how to use a shovel when the time comes. I suspect Kedron plans on using his new handgun the same way...as a tool he can hang on his belt.

Digging holes and handgun hunting is two different things, if you don't want to put your time in with your handgun, you should not be handgun hunting. Bad comparison in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:

quote:

in which case I personally wouldn't choose something small like the .41 mag.

Whitworth, I respect your opinion, and like your posts, but that statement above is just funny, to me... Anything you can do with the .44 you can do with the .41, and do it with 20% less powder, less recoil, and a flatter trajectory.

I have stated this before in other posts: in my 654 FA, I have seen a clocked 1800 fps from a 295-grain SSK bullet. I know, you can do the same thing with the .44 SSK and an FA, but I still say, dead is dead... How much energy is left after you exit the animal is a moot point.

Besides; all the dinosaurs in the US are dead. There aren't any left to hunt!

Oh yeah? Anything? Like 340 grain bullets? Nope, not everything -- close, but still smaller.......

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
The only practice I do anymore is with double action revolvers. I sold my Hawes Chief Marshall 44 mag years ago, after it sat in the safe for 15 years, because it was a pain to shoot.

"I want a reasonably compact and lightweight gun to take with me while hiking, fishing and camping as protection from predators on both two and four legs and mostly to detonate the occasional woodchuck, porcupine, raccoon or possum." And he plans on buying the pistol from Gander Mountain. He doesn't sound like the hardcore type like most of you single action folks. Although he posted his question on this handgun hunting forum, he doesn't intend on his choice being the be-all and end-all of handgun hunting weapons. That's why I answered the way I did.

I have use of a spade shovel from time to time, but I don't spend countless hours digging useless holes in the ground just so I'll know how to use a shovel when the time comes. I suspect Kedron plans on using his new handgun the same way...as a tool he can hang on his belt.

I really think the one firearm you really do need to practice with regularly is that one strapped to your hip regularly. My hunting handguns get used more than my carry guns, but the one you need to be really proficient with is the one that may save your life.......JMHO.

I would give the S&W Mod. 57 with a four inch barrel a look if I were you, compact, easy to carry, but capable of handling the situations you described. I burn IMR 4227 in mine, and it works great.

I have had occassion to use the double action option in my gun twice while hog hunting, and I was glad I had the option. You may not need it most of the time, but it's nice to have when you need it.

That gun also makes a pretty niffty carry gun as well when stroked with 170 gr. hollow points.

Just a thought, no doubt others may disagree, which is fine.

Ruger Blackhawk, 19 gr H110. 220 gr speer. Dead deer at 120 yards last year.
Love the blackhawk.

Which ever you choose make sure the barrel length is legal in your state. Here in NC it must be a 6" (i think) barrel to hunt with. I personally like the Smith 57 but between the Taurus and the Blackhawk I would pick the Blackhawk. I ocassionally track bear with mine and feel better with the double action crawling through laurels with a flashlight in one hand and 41 in the other. Like W296 powder and Hornady 210 XTP's. Hard to beat the 41 in my book. BTW S&W stopped producing anything in 41 mag. Merry Christmas and God Bless, Louis

I occasionally see Redhawks in .41 mag -- that's another good one if you want a DA revolver.

Shooting single action takes no thought process at all. It is second nature and the shot is ALWAYS more accurate then double action unless you shoot 200,000 rounds a year that way.
Complaining about single action is like complaining about working the bolt on a rifle or the pump on a shotgun or rifle.
Those that can't handle single action must remove a rifle from the shoulder to work the bolt, same with a lever gun!
How much more time does it take to cock a revolver then to take off a safety or cock the hammer on a lever gun????? And now the lever gun also has a safety.
It never ceases to amaze me how many can't handle a single action and think double action will save their bacon. Very, VERY few can hit double action. If you can't handle single action, I know you can't handle double action.
As far as the .41, it is a "TWEEN" gun, between the .357 and .44. It was made for police for better stopping power until they found most policemen could not handle it. It is a good caliber and I can't say anything bad about it however I never had a use for one when the .44 is out there. Much easier to find stuff for the .44. Recoil is no different because most .41's are smaller and lighter guns. Use the right boolit for hunting and recoil can be worse then the .44.
Bragging about super high velocity is silly too. With a non expanding hard cast, high velocity can work AGAINST you for killing power. A good, heavy boolit at 1300 fps or even less will do everything a .44 does.
So rate the .41 as it should be, a good hunting gun but not a miracle gun. It will always be a "tweener" with less popularity.

I really do like the features on the taurus and I recognize its limitations as a hunting weapon. Maybe the solution is a lightweight taurus for carry and plinking and a 6.5 inch blackhawk for dedicated handgun hunting with heavy cast bullets. Both in .41

quote:

Recoil is no different because most .41's are smaller and lighter guns. Use the right boolit for hunting and recoil can be worse then the .44.

Pure, unadulterated BS!!!!

The Smith 57 is built on the same frame, the "N", as is the .44. Now consider this: smaller diameter case and smaller bore, which means more meat in the cylinder and more meat in the barrel. It means the .41 in the Smith, and I suspect the .41 in the Rugers as well, will weigh slightly MORE than will the .44s... Add to that less powder and typically a lighter projectile, and recoil with the .41 is LESS than the .44. Pure physics!

Doubless, it seems to me that S&W .41's vary in weight from 27.5 oz to 52 oz depending on configuration and barrel length.
Model 29's vary from 39.3 oz to 56 oz.
WOW, 4 oz at the most. But one .41 is a whole lot lighter then a 29.
Then the .41 Ruger is a BH, not a SBH so it is lighter then a .44.
To say it is bullshit that the .41 can't kick harder then a .44 based on one platform you describe means you should do some more research and shoot more guns.
I have shot a lot of .41's that are downright nasty compared to my .44 even with 330 gr boolits. I have also shot .357's that are nasty with the sharp recoil.