I have owned one for over 20 years and have always handloaded my own ammo and I have found it to be very accurate and easy to shoot. I have taken a real nice Mule deer buck with it at 80 yards as well as an Antelope buck at 40 yards. I think you will find many who will say go with the .44 mag for various reasons, but I think you would be extreamly satisfied witht the Ruger Blackhawk in .41 mag. I also owned the S&W model 57 in .41 mag and it was a delight to shoot as well...