41 mag loads for bear hunting

[errolhill]

I WAS JUST WONDERING WHAT OTHER 41 MAG FANS HAVE USED FOR BEAR HUNTING LOADS , I PERSONALLY HAVE CARRIED A 57 OR 657 FOR OVER 30 YEARS GUIDING BEAR HUNTS AND PREFER IT OVER 44 MAGS,BUT RECENTLY WAS TOLD OF A HORROR STORY FROM SOMEONES HUNTING TRIP ,I HAVE ALWAYS USED FACTORY 210 GR 'S EITHER REM'S OR HORNADY NOW MAKES A GREAT FACTORY 210 GR. ROUND

 

[TheMystro]

I am a 44mag fan for everything but the Hornady XTP would be my choice for the 41 or 44. I want energy transfer and a black bear isn't any harder to kill than a whitetail. I think the 41 is a fine caliber for hunting deer size game. Shot placement is everything regardless of caliber.

 

[kaaskop49]

Didn't Federal once make a 250gr in .41Mag? Also, check out the Buffalo Bore website for planet wrecker loads.

 

[gaijin]

I prefer a 250 gr. WFNGC for thick skinned/heavily boned game.
I load a Cast Performance bullet over AA9 (magnum LP primer) in Starline brass.
This heavy for caliber bullet shoots around 1.25" from my 657 MG and has impressive penetration.

 

[DR505]

I use a Cast Performance 265gr. WLNGC hard cast over a stout charge of Hodgdon's L'il Gun. You can get loading data at the Hodgdon's web site.

 

[427mach1]

I use a Cast Performance 265gr. WLNGC hard cast over a stout charge of Hodgdon's L'il Gun. You can get loading data at the Hodgdon's web site.

My favorite combination, too. I've gotten 1400 fps out of my 5-1/2" Redhawk.

 

[MagnumGI]

My Favorite .41 Mag. load was the old Speer 220gr Half-Jacket SP
over H110.

 

[Doug M.]

I have some 250 grain hard SWC that I have no intention of shooting unless I go to Alaska. I think Hornady or maybe Federal. I am sure that any decent hard SWC would suffice.

 

[336A]

I'd use uncle Elmer's old yet proven standby, a 220gr SWC H&G #258 (Montana Bullet Works) complimented by 19gr of 2400. This load will flatten any black bear that ever walked. It will generally go over 1300fps from a 4" barrel, however recoil is a bit on the substantial side but it sure is accurate. Penetration will be deep and arrow straight to boot.

 

[Cal44]

My favorite combination, too. I've gotten 1400 fps out of my 5-1/2" Redhawk.

If you want to go the factory ammo route, Buffalo Bore has a 265 gr flat nose that they claim gets 1379 fps out of a 6.5 in barrel.

Expensive, though.

I pick up my first 41 magnum Smith on Friday, so I guess I'll have to start hand loading soon.

 

[errolhill]

WINCHESTER MADE 250 GR PLATINUM TIP THAT WAS A FANTASTIC ROUND FOR BEARS A LITTLE UNPLEASENT TO SHOOT BUT I HAVE SHOT AND BACK UP SHOT MANY BEARS AND MY PARTNER HAD A 629 SO WE HAD ALOT OF COMPARISON SITUATIONS AND I STILL PREFER THE 41 MAG ,SOME OF THE BUFFULO BORE AND GRIZZLY;S WITH GAS CHECK WORKED FINE BUT NO BETTER THAN WIN'S 250 PLAT. TIP AND SOME OF THEM HAD LENGTH ISSUES,FACTORY AMMO MY CHOICE IS HORNADY 210 XTP OR IF YOU CAN FIND THE WIN'S PLATINUM 250 GR.

 

[DR505]

WINCHESTER MADE 250 GR PLATINUM TIP THAT WAS A FANTASTIC ROUND FOR BEARS A LITTLE UNPLEASENT TO SHOOT BUT I HAVE SHOT AND BACK UP SHOT MANY BEARS AND MY PARTNER HAD A 629 SO WE HAD ALOT OF COMPARISON SITUATIONS AND I STILL PREFER THE 41 MAG ,SOME OF THE BUFFULO BORE AND GRIZZLY;S WITH GAS CHECK WORKED FINE BUT NO BETTER THAN WIN'S 250 PLAT. TIP AND SOME OF THEM HAD LENGTH ISSUES,FACTORY AMMO MY CHOICE IS HORNADY 210 XTP OR IF YOU CAN FIND THE WIN'S PLATINUM 250 GR.

I prefer to roll my own. Store bought ammo is ridiculously over priced.

I have a good 210 grain Hornady XTP load over Hodgdon's H110 that REALLY screams, and is accurate as well. I don't recommend it for my 3" barrel 657, but in the 6½" barrel 657-2 it is a peach.

 

[kennyb]

,many excellent loads for 41 mag.i just yesterday picked up another m57 to add to the stable...I love em!

 

[427mach1]

My Favorite .41 Mag. load was the old Speer 220gr Half-Jacket SP
over H110.

My Redhawk really liked the Speer 220 grain over 19.3 grains of W296 (same as H110). It chronographed around 1250 fps, recoil wasn't bad, and I got some of my best groupings ever. Unfortunately, as you probably know, Speer no longer makes that bullet.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
For fun contact Penn bullets and get some SSK 295 gr cast.