Hi everyone my name is Nick, this is my first post but i have been reading for a long time. I am currently in the market for a new hunting revolver. I have been between a 41 mag or a 44 mag. I have already tried a search for this topic with not very informative results.

I have no problem with recoil and I do reload. My primary target for hunting is going to be New York Whitetail. I do like to kinda be different and I don't know anybody that even has a 41 Magnum.

I guess my question should be, is what do you guys think about performance between them? Will I be disapointed with the 41 magnum over the 44? Also what is the differences between the two? (IE. balistics, case capacity)

Thanks
Nick

Nick,

I am a 41 fan. I own 5 revolvers in that caliber. I have used them hunting "deer sized" animals for some years. I do not believe that you will be disappointed in a 41. IMHO the advantage of the 44 over the 41 is that you can buy (or load) heavier bullets for it. However, for deer the 210 is very adequate.

In addition, two of my 41s (FA revolvers) are the most accurate revolvers I have ever fired. That gives one a lot of comfort when aiming at a game animal.

Good luck.

The .41 is sufficient for deer, bear and hogs with the right bullet. Where you might choose a JHP for certain situations with the 44 you would be wise to go with a JSP, for example. Which guns are you considering?

Nick,
The two calibers are very close in what they can do for you as a hunting round. To me, the big thing is that you reload, so you can make the .41 do pretty much whatever the .44 can do. When I was in the market for one of these calibers I was leaning toward the .41, but I don't reload, so for me, the vast difference in ammo readily available for the two calibers, (.44 of course having more), made the decision to get the .44 an easy one. So if you want a .41, get it! Good Luck and I hope this helps.

The main advantages to the 44mag over the 41 mag are 3 fold; 1: they are offered in more guns so you have more choices. 2: They handle heavier bullets better. 3: There are more choices for factory ammo and it is far easier to find in shops, especially if you are not near the big cities.

Since you reload and you are hunting Whitetails there is not real disadvantage to the 41 mag. Yea it makes a smaller hole than the 44mag but on deer I don't think it will matter. The 41 may shoot a little flatter for trajectory but at iron sighted handgun ranges this is really a moot point.

In the end for what your uses are I dont think there will be a plug nickles worth of difference...

The .41 is fine and the only reason I don't own one is there are more things available for the .44.

Ditto on what 430man said.I was going to buy a .41 many years ago, just because I like to have something different than what everbody else has, but the components available changed my mind and I went with the .44.

I have owned both but the only one I have now is the .41 mag. If I'm out deer hunting here in the north woods of Pa. it's like American Express travelers checks I don't leave home without them.
I really like the .41 I have a 14" contender and a 7 1\2" Ruger Blackhawk I carry both when hunting. I just started casting my own 250 gn. SWC's and have found that they shoot great. The 210 gn. worked fine though. The .44 does offer more bullet choices but I have not found anything that the .41 can't handle. The choice is yours, But I'll take the .41 any day. But that's just me, I like to be different from most also.

Randy, The Birddog.

My 2 Cents. Where I live you can probably find 41 Magnum ammo on the shelf in one store in a 50 mile radius. I make the rounds of all the stores that carry reloading components. I know of NO 41 magnum bullets on the shelf in any of the stores.
Now if I decided to go with a 41 that would not slow me down. I would order brass, a bullet mould and sizer dies, and go to work.
However I already have everything to make a 44 magnum run on the shelf in my reloading room.

No mention of what handgun. I am guessing a Ruger Single Action Revolver. Here you have some choices. You have 41, 44 and 45.
All 3 choices can be loaded up to work well for hunting. Your choice might depend on what you can locate that fits your vision of a hunting handgun.

Thank you all for your input. It has helped me choose I am going to go with the 41. My local store has one in the case that they said has been there for a long time and they would give me a deal on it. It is a NIB S&W 657. They also have brass dies and bullets so I will be all set in one stop. Thanks guys I will keep you posted.

Thank
Nick

That sounds like a SWEET deal! I don't think you will ever regreat it.

Duane

Ps, post some eye candy when you get it!!!!!

You will be happy!

I like the 44 but in your case take the 41 and be happy. sometimes we forget that part of hunting is the enjoyment of our skill, equipment and just being out. you'll love the smith.

You could get a casting setup and cast your own bullets so that you wouldn't have to worry about finding .41 cal. bullets.

The only thing I can think of, the 44 i can find pretty much at any sporting good store or wally world. Havent seen to much 41