41 mag question

I've hunted with long and short barrels and it really is just a matter of preference. You're not going to lose enough velocity to make any real difference. The deer won't be able to tell. I've had the same results with a 7.5" .44 Bisley, 4" .44 Anaconda, and 4" M57.

I don't reload (yet) and so far the most accurate .41mag ammo out of my 57 has been Winchester 240-gr Platinum Tip. Heavier than most .41 loads, but puts them in one nice ragged hole.
 
For Iron sights, I find the 4" is easier to use that the 6".

Have just recently tried the Red Dot type devices, wish I had done so earlier. You should be able to mount one on either a Smith or Ruger 4-5" revolver; I have not yet tried it.

I seems to me that one of the dot devices would work better than a regulat scope on a 4" revolver, but I have no experience to verify that.

The .41 with a good cast bullet is about all you really need for any game in the lower 48, in my opinion.

Others of course have different ideas.

rayb

I have a Burris Fast Fire on my 629 and It is Great. I can acquire my target quickly and stay on it even if it`s moving. It does not have any magnification and that`s why I like it so much. I believe the 4 inch is the best and I really like the balance.
I am about to buy my second .41 tomorrow.
I have a 6 inch M-57.
Now don`t you guys freak out , but Tomorrow I`m looking at a Taurus 415---I know, I know...... but S&W doesn`t make anything like it and I think it`s what I need for CCW.
Besides it`s only $350 and so I can beat it up and not care.
 
If some of you guys are serious about hunting with your .41's you may want to consider an 8 3/8" with a good quality shoulder holster.

I've hunted black bear and elk for many years with both 41 and 44 mags using open sights. The added sight radius of the longer barrel is a major plus if the game you seek are over 50 yards away.

I've found the game I hunt are usually more than 50 yards away and though I've tried 4 and 6" guns, keeping the shots tight and accuracy predictably are always better with the longer barrels.

Just sayin'......

z2Hunters.jpg
 
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Shot my first deer with a 6" 57. Iron sights and I hit him at just a smidge under 100 yards. Next year I used an iron sighted 4" 24-3 .44 Special. Based upon only these two events, here's what I decided:

The 6" is fine as a dedicated hunting revolver. I started practicing with it in the late summer for upcoming deer season. After deer season, it stayed in the safe. I find the 4" guns are a much better utility revolver and they are the ones that I always have with me, mainly the 24-2, a 629-2 Mountain Revolver or a model 58.

The long barrel revolver just didn't fit as well into all the places I wanted to tote it: the center console of my truck, my shooting bag, inside my waistband for a quick run into the store, etc.

I sold the 6" 57 and replaced it with a 4".

If you want a dedicated hunter, the longer barrel is a better choice, but for year round play I'll take my 4" tubes any day.
 
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