Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Need .41 Magnum hunting load suggestions

I just picked up a S&W Model 657-2 Classic Hunter 6�" barrel .41 Magnum revolver. I'm looking for a good hunting load for hogs, deer, elk, black bear, and such. I was thinking about a good 250 grain hard cast gas check as a possibility. I've got a bunch of Hornady 210 grain XTP's on hand as well. My powders of choice are H110 and 2400. Any suggestions?

Here is the revolver:

i shoot the Hornady & Sierra 210's mostly....i have the same 657, scoped mine with a 2x B&L.

i had more consistent groups with H110, & Lil Gun with heavier weights. (also shot a bunch of Blue Dot over the years, but i see Alliant now says Blue Dot is now bad ju-ju for light .357 loads and all .41's)

for bigger stuff, i'd also lean to a heavy cast, i shoot the LBT 265's in my TC .41's, but never tried them in the revolver though.

210 JHP: 22-23 grains of H110 depending on the bullet. The powder is so that the base of the bullet sits right on top of the powder.

Cast Performance 250 WFNGC: 20 grains of H110 (work up from 18)

Cast Performance 255 WFNGC: 22.0 grains. (work up from 19)

170 Sierra HP: 26-26.5 grains of H110.

I've used all these loads in Ruger, FA and S&W revolvers.

Bob

Thank you.

See how the gun shoots the loads and then settle. For all but the Elk I like the 210XTP but it would do with the right shot placement. The 41 is a great round that is somewhat under appreciated.

A 230 Keith from Lynn Halstead (Dry Creek Bullets) has treated me well at about 1100fps.

The 41's like a little snug crimp on them. I use 18 gr of 2400 with 210gr xtp

Did they change blue dot?

I put 20-20.5 H110 under XTPs, don't think I ever gone over 21. I think there may be a point of diminished returns, and the blast n recoil goes up, case life perhaps down, and not sure on pressure vs limits.

210s will kill elk, but for that I'd look to a heavier cast option w/wide meplat.

Good hunting and enjoy yours, do mine

I really like 2400 for magnum loads in the .41. I use 215 gr hard cast bullets, and 210 gr. jacketed bullets. I load 17 gr/2400, Fed 150s, Starline brass, with the cast bullets; 17.5 gr/2400 w/ 210 gr. jacketed bullets. Firm roll crimp on all.

In 4", 6" and 8 3/8" S&W Model 57s, here are the velocities I get, respectively:

With 215 gr. hard cast: 1210 fps, 1301 fps, 1363 fps.

With 210 gr. jacketed: 1110 fps, 1232 fps, 1312 fps.

These loads are wonderfully accurate in all three guns, shoot to the same POI at 50 yards.

There isn't a better handgun for hunting. The 41 magnum with 210 grain bullets is a great combination. I have shot both big game and small game with it. The load I have is 20 grains of H-110 and a 210 grain Keith type cast bullet.

Jacketed bullets and hollow points don't improve an a hard cast bullet past about 60 yards. For hunting, I have used the hard cast bullet at full velocity, with no leading issues and the bullet will perform as well as any jacketed bullet, as at the extended ranges, the jacketed bullet doesn't expand any more than a cast...

I've used a 10" contender to kill several deer, the loads used were the Sierra 210 JHC, that one worked well on broadside shots, but left vrey large holes and bloodshot some meat. I used the old Speer 220 gr. half jacket, and that acted like a solid, and punched from the breastbone and out the ho of a medium doe. And the 250 r. cast I've used acted similarly.

The manufacturer has changed the recommended uses for Blue Dot, based on reported problems with some loadings.

Alliant says to not use it with any bullet weights in the 41 mag.

I am still using Blue Dot with 210 gr bullets, but only at reduced velocities for plinking loads. After I get this one pound can consumed I will only use Hodgdon Universal in that application.

Hey, don't you know the .41 is not enough gun for head-shooting rabbits?!