I picked up a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk in 41 Magnum earlier this year. Developed some accurate and hard hitting handloads and then went out and bought every game tag I could get for my neck of the woods.

My tag list:
2 Elk (bull & cow)
1 Muley buck
1 Black bear
1 Turkey (just for good measure)

I'm excited to have the chance to take some game with this neat cartridge. In honor of the 41 Magnum, I am declaring 2012 the year of the 41 Magnum. Lets hear some success stories where it was used to take game. Pictures please!

Mike,

The 41 mag is my favorite revolver cartridge. I own several and have used them to take various deer sized animals over the years. However, using my handloads (210 gr XTPs) I have had several fail to exit on relatively broadside shots @ about 100 yds. If I were going to use this caliber on bigger animals, I would go to a "partition-type" bullet or a hard cast.

One of my FAs in 41 mag is the most accurate revolver that I own. It makes every hunting trip with me, either as the primary gun or the backup. The 41 revolvers are the ones that I shoot the most on my little range for "fun."

Wtroper
About those XTPs; do you know the muzzle velocity of those loads that failed to exit?

My first handgun deer was taken with a S&W M57 and Remington 210 grain JSP factory ammunition.

I love the .41. I am saving several boxes of the old Nosler 210gr JHPs for a special occaision. We have been playing with the 255CPB and it looks great. My son killed his first handgun deer with the .41 we got him for Christmas several years ago. Here is a success story in a pic. Matt's first handgun deer:

Well done! A positive experience for sure. It is great to see our youth winning in the field.

Mike,

My handloads (210s) are doing better than 1500 fps out of a 7 1/2" bbl. I will state that even though I did not get full penetration on all shots, only one ran any consequential distance. That one ran about 75 yds after a hit square in the boiler room. Most of the others moved more like 18".

Dang it man. Whit told me it was The Year of The .44. Now I don't know what to believe....

I find it hard to believe that Whit would bestow such an honor to the .429 magnum ;-)

Count me in as a 41 fan! I'll play in the year of the 41...

Here's a tribute...From this year and past. FA M97 slinging Speer 210 GDHP's.

Awesome pictures guys! I love seeing them! But, um.... I have to claim next year as the year of the .460 S&W!!

Never fear, Kingfisher - judging by yesterday's range time, the Casulls's will get their fair playing time! (As will the .357's, .44's, .475's, .500's...)

I would say it'll be the year of the wheelgun, but I've got a toy or two that need some "break-in"...as you can tell, I have gun issues.

Mike,
I took my first handgun deer with a T/C Contender in 41. mag back in 1992 and it is my best 8 pt. to date. I used the 210 Rem. jsp factory ammo. I have had that barrel since 1979. I reload for it now and use the 210 Hdy. XTP with a stiff charge of W296. I'll be carring it again this yr.

Now I don't feel so bad about opting out on the 7mm STW for you!

Looking at a Smith 657 that my buddy has for sale, it is LNIB only 6 rounds through it.... I'm Buyng a 629 first though.... gonna have a whole collection of them most of my hunting this year will be with my Smith & Wesson .460 Mag XVR though...

What are you going after this year? What load?

Whitetail deer, maybe a black bear if I can work it out to go.

I hope to be up on the mountain hunting a favorite saddle with that very 41.mag.T/C and that the buck cooperates and crosses that saddle. I'll send him a 210 Hornady XTP fueled by W296 and a Federal mag. primer, Rem. case. I just got to do my part. That .41 wears a Bushnell 2x6 scope. The only wheel gun I've had was a Colt Anaconda in .44 mag. I kinda wish I'd a kept that one. It had the best factory trigger I've ever pulled on a wheel gun. I also will hunt some with a 30-30 AI Contender, 243 win. Encore, a 209x50 Encore in the muzzleloader season and I'll take my SSK 35 Whelen with me a time or two as well. All in handgun form of course.

I see that ruger did a special run of Hunters in 41 mag again.
There site,distributers specials
FYI