Terminal performance of 41 Cal. XTP and Swift bullets

[James]

Pulled out my box of recovered handgun bullets and removed all those of .41 caliber. There were eight XTP`s and three Swift A-frames. There original weight was 210 grains. The range the animals were shot was from 20 yards out to just over 90 yards. Most of the game were boar in the 200+ pound range plus a large body aoudad, a blackbuck and a Axis deer.
HANDGUNS and HANDLOADS: 1) S&W 657 with 7 1/2" barrel shooting a 210gr XTP over 22.7grs of H-110 for 1400+fps.
2) Freedom Arms m-83 with a 10" barrel shooting a load from John Taffin that uses a heavy charge of AA#9 under both the 210gr XTP or Swift A-frame. The XTP ran at 1745fps while the Swift A-frame ran at 1674FPS.

average recovered weight of 8 XTP bullets: 138.95 grains

average recovered weight of 3 Swift bullets: 201.6 grains

average expansion for 8 XTP bullets: 0.620"

average expansion for 3 Swift bullets: 0.660"

The Swift is a premium, bonded, partition bullet and well worth the money they cost. As you can see in the photos the expansion and weight retention are consistent and almost perfect. The XTP`s gave higher velocities with extremes at weight loss. While the XTP is not in the same class as the Swift it must be remembered that these bullets were taken from dead animals so they worked when placed in the right spot. I hope you 41 mag guys may find this as useful information. You will be able to tell which 3 bullets are the A-frames as they show the same expansion.....

[sixshot]

The 41 maggie is an amazing cartridge, I'm always surprised at those who refuse to give it any credit & most base their opinions without ever having used it. I know many shooters who have taken lots of game with the 41 up to & including moose because I was there when it happened. One shot, 6-7 seconds later & a dead moose. I've taken 2 elk with 2 shots, several deer, feral hogs, javelina, one antelope & a boat load of rock chucks badgers, jack rabbits & other small game. If you hold a 250 gr. LBT WFN 41 bullet next to the grand old Keith 250 gr. 44 slug you will probably have a heart attack when you realize the 41 bullet has a wider meplat that the most famous big game handgun bullet of all time. Don't over read what I'm saying, I dearly love the 44, its my favorite, but the 41 maggie with a 250 WFN or one of James tried & true jacketed slugs will get the job done, he's a hog killing machine, I think he uses bacon grease for after shave!
Large badger taken with the 41 maggie & a 230 gr. Keith, he never made a sound.


Dick

[Encore64]

The 41 cal 210 grn XTP bullet is the only bullets I use in my 41s.

Use them in 41 Mag, 41 GNR, 410 GNR, 41 GNR #2, and reduced loads in my Ruger #1 405 WCF.

They haven't let me down yet.

[cmh]

I never gave the 41 much thought but Dick made a believer out of me Thanks for the bullet info..... I have been teetering on a 41 Blackhawk 4 5/8 I found at a local shop for $400 and this doesn't help lol

[sixshot]

17 grs. of 2400 has been my preferred load with the 250 gr. LBT slug but on my last elk taken with this bullet for some reason I was using 9.2 grs. of Unique for just over 1100 fps. The bullet busted both front shoulders & exited, she only took one step. I'd show the photo but most of you have seen it before.
This is a large feral hog taken in Texas a few years back with the 41 maggie & a bullet I've taken a lot of game with, the 230 gr. Keith & 17 grs. of 2400. I weigh almost 300 lbs so you get a pretty good idea of how big the hog was. One shot behind the ear at 10 yds & an exit, he dropped like a boat anchor.

Dick

[rjm52]

Thanks for all the information from "the field".

Bob

[James]

Used a Reeder 41 GNR to take this aoudad at the YO Ranch with "handgun hunt for the hungry" a number of years ago...

[cmh]

I'd say the 41 is getting it done

[Markbo]

Aoudad are notoriously tough animals. Well done and nice trophy.

[gaguideman]

Good to see conversation about the 41 mag. I just got one myself and am ready to go try her out. Great, under appreciated cartridge.

[razor]

I was looking for a bullet to use on black bears in the 41, I bet that Swift would work.

[groo]

Groo here
Haven't shot the 44 since I got my 41's.
No need.....LOL