I just picked up a Ruger Blackhawk with 4 5/8" barrel in 41mag. It looks to be almost new, with a very light turn line on the cylinder. It even has new Hogue grips. The best part...only 250 bucks including a box of Winchester 240gr. Platinum tip hollow points. At 1250fps. at the muzzle it only has 47ftlbs less than the 44 with a 250gr version of the same bullet at 50yds. According to the charts any way. My Lyman 48th edition has it pushing 200grs over 1500fps with 21.0grs of H110. The fastest it shows the 44 at with a 200gr is 1493 with 28.3grs of 296. How is that possible?I know the 44 blows it away over 240grs, but there isn't as big a gap as i would have thought. There seems to be less of a differance than the one between the 30-06 and 308.

crew dawg,

It comparible to people say that a 270 150gr vs a 30-06 150gr, that the 06 will hands down beat the 270win I don't think so.

The 44mag in the right load is more powerful than the 41mag, same with the 454 being more powerful than the 44mag. But when it comes to similiar loads the 41mag backs up its sweetness mighty fine against the 44mag. Plus the 41mag is just a tad bit longer than the 44mag case. I also find it to be more pleasing on the ears than the 44mag. Nothing wrong with either cartridge, but I'm a 41mag man for life. If they stop making bullets I will buy a mold and make my own. They also make a 41mag bullet that goes up to 265grs. It would slow down alot but would make a great accurate close yardage load.

I couldn't help myself. I had to try it out last night. Me and my father-n-law have set up a range on his property. I set up some clays at 25yds because i couldn't find any papper targets. The first two rounds went about 3 inches high. I think just because the last guy held a fine sight when he shot. I hold with my front post dead even with the top of my rear sight. That way i know it is the same sight picture every shot. I cranked it down a little and we were in buisness. This gun must of had a trigger job. Because there is no creep and i cant feel any over travel. I haven't measured it yet but the pull has to be under 4 pounds. The chambers are tight too. I just turn the gun up, turn the cylinder and the cases just fall out. She doesn't slap me around like my Super Blackhawk did. But you still get a real impressive muzzle flash at dusk. Those Hogue grips are pretty sweet too.

Well, I managed some serious work with the Blackhawk this evening. Best group was with the Winchester 240gr Platinums. Six shots at 25yds went 3/4x1 1/4 inches center to center. I am loving this gun. I had to slap it on the side to get the shell to fall out the of #1 and 2 chambers though. At $1.12 a shot with tax i am defenately reloading. I can reload with 210gr Remingtons and Starline brass for about .20 cents a round.

I've got a Ruger Redhawk in 41 that I bought in 1993. Very smooth action and very accurate. My hunting load is Corbon 250gr hard lead (cast) bullets. On paper, it is more powerful than a factory 44 mag load, but as said before, that is like comparing a 270 to a 30-06. They both will get the job done, but your bullet selection is limited.