what's with the .41 caliber?

Hello all. Wondering what the difference is with the .41 compared to the .44 calibers. Also, is the Ruger Super redhawk a good revolver in the .41? I believe is was called the super redhawk anyway. I might be mistaken on the name. It had the 6 1/2 inch barrel, but I've always been told that the 7 inch barrel is better for hunting. Is this true?

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2324
took this 7pt whitetail this year with a 41 mag. S&W.

The 41 mag was offered in the Redhawk (double action) in 5" and 7 1/2" guns in the early 80's. Then discontinued. The Super Redhawk was never offered in 41 Mag.

You say it was a 6 1/2" barrel so it leads me to belive it was a Blackhawk (single action) revolver. I think the only caliber ever offer in the Super Blackhwak was the 44 mag.

With the lighter bullets the two don't have much difference. But the 44 has heavier bullets readily available. And that's where the 44 eats the 41's lunch.

In the right hands with the right bullet the 41 gives up nothing to the 44.... Right sixshot????

Tigger is correct on all counts. The 41 magnum factory loads develop 12 ft lbs of recoil compared to 16 ft lbs for the 44 magnum factory loads, 25% is quite a difference. Now, if you want to even things up a bit put a good 250 gr cast slug in the 41 maggie & enjoy! The only thing the 41 has ever needed was a little heavier bullet to really make it shine. I have a 230 gr Keith slug thats taken many head of big game over the years, including elk & moose, going all the way back to the 70's. Lately I've been very happy with a 250 gr LBT WFN slug, its a real hammer with that big nose. One things for sure, if the 41 can't get it done, then a 44 isn't the answer either. There's only .019" difference in bullet diameter & they are the same case length, yet the 41 has a little more steel in the cylinder due to the smaller holes (.019") Either one works greats.

Dick

Dick

As stated above the 41 and 44 are very similar with the 41 giving up a little bit on power but easier on the hand. Ruger makes a super blackhawk hunter (special order from Davidsons, I think) that would make a fine hunting pistol. Lots of bear hunters here in SW VA like the 41 and I think most of them are using Smiths. Not sure on the loads those guys are using.

I have found that there really isn't a whole lot of difference between the way the .41 mag and the .429 mag perform. They are a lot closer than one would think. The .41 mag is a fine caliber.

Yeah, sorry. The 6 1/s inch statement was incorrect on my part. It is the 7 1/2 inch barrel as you suggested. I'm very impressed with the knowledge on this forum! Very useful!!!

Thanks for all the info!!!