The .41 Mag is one of my all-time favorite handgun cartridge, and is deadly wicked on our NC whitetail. I have two Ruger single actions and one Marlin lever action carbine in this caliber. I now use a Limited edition Ruger Stainless Blackhawk Hunter in .41 that was sold only by Davidson's, mounted with a Weaver 2X scope this the sweetest setup I have ever used. From the time handgun hunting became legal in NC I have done most of my deer hunting with one and excusivly in .41 Mag. In that Time I have tagged aroung 25 deer with the .41, and have never lost one, or had one go more than 50 yards after being hit. Handgun hunting requires self-control and lots of practice but I find it very rewarding. As far as loads, I use Hornady 210 gr. XTP bullets loaded to around 1350 FPS. I zero 1 inch high at 50 yards and good to go for any situation that I am comfortable with out to 100 yards. The .41 shoots a little flatter with less recoil and is just as accurate as a .44 Mag. Altough I prefer single actions for hunting the S&W is a very fine revolver especially now that the company is back in American hands.........Good hunting.