Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry
Why the 41 Magnum?
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- Cowhand
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 6:13 pm
- Location: Northeast TN
Why the 41 Magnum?
Not looking to start a caliber debate, though I occasionally enjoy them as much as anybody, provided they stay civil and truthful.
Really though.... I'm just answering a question that someone here asked me the other day. I feel the answer deserves its own thread so others asking themselves the same question can maybe find it easier...if someone accused me of promoting the 41 Magnum, I'd confess that I'm guilty as charged.
The first reason....I have a 41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk that I really like, it was my first 41. It showed me what a powerhouse the 41 is and how easy it is to shoot compared to bigger rounds such as hot 44 and 45 ammo.
Balance....its size to power ratio is dang near perfect in my opinion. Being a little slimmer in diameter yet roughly the same length as others, it lends itself to feeding a little smoother.
Recoil...less is more... The difference isn't huge, but it is there. The 41 is easier to shoot with hot loads.
With proper bullet selection it is suitable for any hoofed game in North America, and most of the rest of the world... but I'll just be using it for deer and black bear.
Like others...it is quite capable of 150 yard medium game. The picture below illustrates a 125 yard zero range with a 210 XTP fired from a 16.5 inch barrel.
Contrary to popular opinion the available bullet selection is more than adequate.... from 170 to 265 grains.... that'll cover anything from deer to water buffalo.
It "could" be hot prodded, and safely.... The Ruger only loads you see for the 44 and 45....I'm surprised nobody has made any for the 41. Most if not all 41's are built on 44 frames, cylinders, and barrels...if the 44 can be loaded to +P and +P+, the 41 can too....all with a larger margin of safety. I'm told those 44 loads are 43,500 psi...at that pressure, the 41 could send a 265 grain slug on its way at around 1,500 fps from a pistol, and around 1,650 from a rifle.
And the best reason yet.... because I can...I have always liked tinkering with less popular rounds... there are quite a few VERY good rounds out there that just never caught on... dare to be different.
Really though.... I'm just answering a question that someone here asked me the other day. I feel the answer deserves its own thread so others asking themselves the same question can maybe find it easier...if someone accused me of promoting the 41 Magnum, I'd confess that I'm guilty as charged.
The first reason....I have a 41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk that I really like, it was my first 41. It showed me what a powerhouse the 41 is and how easy it is to shoot compared to bigger rounds such as hot 44 and 45 ammo.
Balance....its size to power ratio is dang near perfect in my opinion. Being a little slimmer in diameter yet roughly the same length as others, it lends itself to feeding a little smoother.
Recoil...less is more... The difference isn't huge, but it is there. The 41 is easier to shoot with hot loads.
With proper bullet selection it is suitable for any hoofed game in North America, and most of the rest of the world... but I'll just be using it for deer and black bear.
Like others...it is quite capable of 150 yard medium game. The picture below illustrates a 125 yard zero range with a 210 XTP fired from a 16.5 inch barrel.
Contrary to popular opinion the available bullet selection is more than adequate.... from 170 to 265 grains.... that'll cover anything from deer to water buffalo.
It "could" be hot prodded, and safely.... The Ruger only loads you see for the 44 and 45....I'm surprised nobody has made any for the 41. Most if not all 41's are built on 44 frames, cylinders, and barrels...if the 44 can be loaded to +P and +P+, the 41 can too....all with a larger margin of safety. I'm told those 44 loads are 43,500 psi...at that pressure, the 41 could send a 265 grain slug on its way at around 1,500 fps from a pistol, and around 1,650 from a rifle.
And the best reason yet.... because I can...I have always liked tinkering with less popular rounds... there are quite a few VERY good rounds out there that just never caught on... dare to be different.
Last edited by Ridgerunner665 on Wed Oct 02, 2019 12:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
3 x
Henry Big Boy steel carbine 41 Magnum
- JEBar
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Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
really liking one is all the reason needed .... I've owned a 41 Smith and, as you noted, it is a capable round .... during that same period, I owned a 44 Mag Smith which quickly became my favoriteRidgerunner665 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:20 pmThe first reason....I have a 41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk that I really like,
0 x
- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
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- Location: northern Wisconsin
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
I've always loved the concept and idea of the 41 mag, i.e. magnum performance, but a little easier to shoot than the 44 (which actually a 43, not a 44). Been tempted many times, but the problem, now that I don't reload, is the crazy insane price of factory ammo and that's when you can find some and that isn't often. One of those cartridges which really deserved to be much more popular than it's been over the years. Guess a lot of people figured might as well just step up to a 44 mag. Real shame.
0 x
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
I posted some data from my BBSC .41 mag here: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=7562
Compared to other hunting rounds these days, factory ammo isn't all that expensive. Granted it's not something you take to the range just to play with. As for availability, you do generally have to order on line from various sources, my personal favorite that I've been using for the past 10+ years is Underwood. The reason is in the data I posted at the above link.
Underwood ammo: https://www.underwoodammo.com/collectio ... ton-magnum
Compared to other hunting rounds these days, factory ammo isn't all that expensive. Granted it's not something you take to the range just to play with. As for availability, you do generally have to order on line from various sources, my personal favorite that I've been using for the past 10+ years is Underwood. The reason is in the data I posted at the above link.
Underwood ammo: https://www.underwoodammo.com/collectio ... ton-magnum
1 x
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
Just curious Jim what made you chose that 44 Smith over the 41 Smith. There both on the N frame and have the same feel. At least I think so. I have owned both and still own a 4 inch stainless 629 prelockJEBar wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:38 pmreally liking one is all the reason needed .... I've owned a 41 Smith and, as you noted, it is a capable round .... during that same period, I owned a 44 Mag Smith which quickly became my favoriteRidgerunner665 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:20 pmThe first reason....I have a 41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk that I really like,
0 x
Don't worry about getting older and still doing stupid stuff. You'll do the stupid stuff as always, only much slower. Hold my beer and watch this.......
H001T .22LR
H001T .22LR MONUMENT VALLEY
H003T PUMP .22LR
BBS .41 MAG
SS .357
SIDE GATE 38-55
H001T .22LR
H001T .22LR MONUMENT VALLEY
H003T PUMP .22LR
BBS .41 MAG
SS .357
SIDE GATE 38-55
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
I own a few 41's. Henry in a BBS, Smith 657 power port, Freedom Arms 83 and a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8. The over the counter 41 mag ammo isnt as bad as it use to be and can be bought for the same price as the 44. But as was already mentioned it wouldnt be your regular round if a person wasnt a reloader. But neither is a 44
0 x
Don't worry about getting older and still doing stupid stuff. You'll do the stupid stuff as always, only much slower. Hold my beer and watch this.......
H001T .22LR
H001T .22LR MONUMENT VALLEY
H003T PUMP .22LR
BBS .41 MAG
SS .357
SIDE GATE 38-55
H001T .22LR
H001T .22LR MONUMENT VALLEY
H003T PUMP .22LR
BBS .41 MAG
SS .357
SIDE GATE 38-55
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- Cowhand
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 6:13 pm
- Location: Northeast TN
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
41 ammo is easy to get online... and the price for quality ammo is pretty much the same as 44.
You can get cheap range ammo cheaper for the 44, but the premium stuff is generally the same price.
You can get cheap range ammo cheaper for the 44, but the premium stuff is generally the same price.
0 x
Henry Big Boy steel carbine 41 Magnum
- Vaquero
- Ranch Boss
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- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:56 am
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Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
Another 41 fan here, Hey Gunny I tried some of those 265 gr rounds the other day.GunnyGene wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:54 pmI posted some data from my BBSC .41 mag here: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=7562
Compared to other hunting rounds these days, factory ammo isn't all that expensive. Granted it's not something you take to the range just to play with. As for availability, you do generally have to order on line from various sources, my personal favorite that I've been using for the past 10+ years is Underwood. The reason is in the data I posted at the above link.
Underwood ammo: https://www.underwoodammo.com/collectio ... ton-magnum
My BBS seems to like them pretty good.
Those 150 gr Extreme Hunters look wicked .https://www.underwoodammo.com/collectio ... 5698840633
RP
0 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
If you have a chrono, I'd be interested in the numbers for both those in your rifle. The published MV is from a 6.5" Blackhawk, unless they've changed their testing in the last few years.Vaquero wrote: ↑Sun Sep 29, 2019 4:34 amAnother 41 fan here, Hey Gunny I tried some of those 265 gr rounds the other day.GunnyGene wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 5:54 pmI posted some data from my BBSC .41 mag here: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=7562
Compared to other hunting rounds these days, factory ammo isn't all that expensive. Granted it's not something you take to the range just to play with. As for availability, you do generally have to order on line from various sources, my personal favorite that I've been using for the past 10+ years is Underwood. The reason is in the data I posted at the above link.
Underwood ammo: https://www.underwoodammo.com/collectio ... ton-magnum
My BBS seems to like them pretty good.
Those 150 gr Extreme Hunters look wicked .https://www.underwoodammo.com/collectio ... 5698840633
RP
0 x
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes is rapidly becoming a reality (11/2023). Para Bellum.
- Vaquero
- Ranch Boss
- Posts: 10316
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:56 am
- Location: Somewhere between Memphis & Nashville
Re: Why the 41 Magnum?
Sorry Gunny I don't have one.
I may be able to borrow one, if so I'll let you know.
RP
I may be able to borrow one, if so I'll let you know.
RP
0 x
Monte Walsh "You have No idea how little I care".
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012
Ain't No Apologies for My Temperament
Si vis pacem, para bellum
H001, H006, H012