41 magnum recoil vs. 44 magnum

[44wheelman]

Given factory loads at std 210 & 240 gr. weights, I think you see a difference of 10-15% recoil difference. Pressure the same, base of the bullet sees 9% less area (F= pressure x area), not sure about case volume, (would assume .41 is less?). .019" is not alot of difference!

My first .41 was a 4 5/8 Blackhawk. Neither a 44 or 41 were comfortable in those guns. next was a 657...that was manageable.

 

[DR505]

The Grips will make a big difference in felt recoil .
These appear to be Kim Ahrends Retro Combats ...
my model 58 (my avatar) is wearing a set of Kim's Retro Combats and they make shooting a whole different experience ... A much better and what feels like a somewhat lighter recoil .
I have been a 41 magnum fan for years and much prefer it ...
But adding some good grips helps a lot !
Gary

Those are indeed Kim Ahrends Retro Combats. I wish he was still making stocks.

 

[Chubbs103]

I was PCing some bullets last night. New to me molds that I hadn't used before. First was a NOE 215gr. full wadcutter for my .41s. Second was a vintage Lyman 429421. The Lyman has nice equal length driving bands and casts at ~.4305 with COWW alloy. Mr. Keith would be unhappy with the round bottom lube groove, however.

I couldn't help but notice, the difference in caliber is almost visually undetectable. I don't think there is appreciable difference for the shooter or the target either.

I miss Kim Ahrends stocks as well.

 

[The Norseman]

The grips make a difference too

Good points about Grips. Told you, all is
subjective. Case in point.

When I got my 45Colt S&W Mountain Gun it
had the wood combat grips, they fit my hand
good.

I wanted to shoot it right away, with the 6
reloads I bought along, man, I could barely
stand the punishment from those wood
grips.

The next week with S&W rubber grips off
another "N", it was comfortable and I easily
went through the 20rds I had.

This is why I like the rubber grips and have
them on all my S&Ws. Shooting is comfortable,
a pleasant experience, I have better control
over the gun, and I can stay on target better.

Just my experience and preference.

That is one reason, why shooting my 44 or 41
magnum the recoil has very little difference.

 

[richrd]

I just went out and shot a 4 in 44 mag and a 6 in 657. The 44 was loaded seven grains of 231 and a 240 grain bullet the 657 was the same seven grains behind a 210 grain bullet. In terms of felt recoil the 657 was notably lighter. In overall weight the 6-in 657 is 5 oz heavier. This really doesn't prove anything but I felt like posting

 

[Paul105]

Same platform (gun/grips/barrel length), same bullet weight, same velocity, same recoil. Add same Meplat and results on game is the same.

JMHO FWIW,

Paul

 

[ruger 22]

The short answer to your Q is No, they are about the same.

 

[gnappi]

I would really like to test this ammo in two identical guns and compare as best I could the difference if any.

 

[SuperMan]

If one looks at the factory loads for both the .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum that were available in the mid 1960s when the .41 came out, the 210 grain JSP was doing an honest 1250 fps from a 4" barrel. The .44s of that time were 240 grains and running over 1300 fps.

Had both a 4" 29-2 and 4" 57 in the late 1970s and recoil with the 29-2 was not something one would want to more than a cylinder full through. Especially with the Winchester 240 grain Soft HP.

If one compares apples/apples, same guns, same grips, bullets of the same sectional density and velocity, then a .41 220 at 1000 fps will kick just slightly less than a 240 .44 at 1000 fps as the bullet weighs slightly less and the gun slightly more. But the .44 will make just a slightly bigger hole and slightly more foot pounds of energy...

A difference that makes no difference...both are great rounds...

Bob

 

[gnappi]

I would really like to test this ammo in two identical guns and compare as best I could the difference if any.

Well I had two boxes of the .41 ammo and just received two of the .44's now to schedule a range trip with my Ruger Hunters.

 

[Bruceboy]

I doubt if a deer could tell the difference at 40 yards but of course handgun hunting is prohibited in Canada.

Count your blessings,

Al

 

[GypsmJim]

44 Mag is Dirty Harry. Nostalgia and of course good performance. Everybody has one and those that don't want one.

41 Mag is (to some) a red headed stepchild. THAT in itself makes me want to have one. No, I NEED one. Of course I have one. Also good performance, and also an iconic item.

 

[diyj98]

I don't currently own a 41, but I don't remember the recoil with the ones I did own being much different than most 44's. But I've noticed the same 44 load to feel different when fired from different models, depending upon weight, grip angle, grip style, etc. I once owned a 629 that seemed to have particularly sharp checking on the stocks. It was more uncomfortable to shoot with hot load than any other 44 mag I remember ever shooting.

 

[38magnum]

I just went out and shot a 4 in 44 mag and a 6 in 657. The 44 was loaded seven grains of 231 and a 240 grain bullet the 657 was the same seven grains behind a 210 grain bullet. In terms of felt recoil the 657 was notably lighter. In overall weight the 6-in 657 is 5 oz heavier. This really doesn't prove anything but I felt like posting

lol put a 220 grain slug in the 44 with the same powder charge... then figure what has more recoil..

The main issue with the 41 is that the modern world has decided to make it into a 44 magnum or even a 454 casull at times. The caliber was designed for a specific weight range by elmer, and the police of the day decided the hunting load of a 210 grain bullet was TOO much for regular shooting, but the easy er shooting lead bullet load wasnt good enough for using on criminals compared to what they could stuff in a model 28

 

[gdpolk]

I shoot both regularly. The difference in recoil is noticeable side by side with similar bullet weights at similar velocities from similar weight guns. That said, with full power loads, both have noticeable but manageable recoil. If recoil attenuation is a goal, both cartridges benefit from heavier physical weight guns and longer barrels.

If you reload, of course you can work up varied power loads for both but you have significantly increased projectile weight and types available for 44. If you don't reload 44spl is available over the counter whereas 41 special is not.

 

[dave1918a2]

The felt recoil between the two is not enough to talk about. Proper grips for Your style of holding the gun will make a significant difference. Of course if You use wimp loads You're not going to get a fair comparison. A deer will not notice the difference if You make an accurate shot. If You can't make an accurate shot, don't shoot.

 

[Jmp50]

Move up to 260-300 gr 44's and you will feel a noticeable difference in recoil.
I never noticed any difference on deer....41 220 HC/ 44 265 HC, both do the job.
Both will blow through a deer from almost any angle and give fast kills.
Sold the 44's, kept the 41's.

 

[38magnum]

Well everyone one has heard the Skeeter Skelton 44 special heavy duty load. its about .8 grains over the older lyman loading book data for 44 special and that bullet with unique.

Its capable of pushing that 240-250 grain swc or lrn fp to an astonishing 1,000 to 1050 fps based on bulelt to barrel fit, gap, and barrel length.

Skelton noted it would shoot through the rib cage and make an exit hole on MOOSE at 30 yards. Its a good load, and really needs to be talked about more.
Youll also notice in Skeltons writing in the 1960s he made the note that the factory 44 magnum loads were far more powerful than anything he and Elmer Keith had loaded up when making more powerful 44 special +p+ ammo

 

[Old Corp]

I handgun hunt and reload, everything from .357 to 10mm, .41, 44 Spl. and Mag., as well as .45 Colt. Yes, that's too many, I know.
Of them all, my favorite is the S&W M57 6" .41. I load Hornady 210 gr XTP's at approximately max loads. Very effective on deer.
And, just IMHO, it does feel to me like a bit less recoil than the M629 6" .44 Mag.
As mentioned - felt recoil is kinda subjective. I like OE S&W Target grips and use them for hunting. I have no love for rubber grips. The M57 wears some Eagle 'Coke' repros, which I really like.

Also have an early 60's S&W M27-3 5". Even with max .357 loads, it feels like a popgun compared to the .41 and .44.

 

[Paul105]

I shoot both regularly. The difference in recoil is noticeable side by side with similar bullet weights at similar velocities from similar weight guns.

.
Not possible. Same bullet weight, same velocity, same platform = same recoil.
.
FWIW,

Paul