This "wildcat" has been around for more than 30 years. One company www.ammo-one.com is loading ammunition for the cartridge so this isn't really much of a "wildcat" cartridge any longer.

The .41 Special is a mild(er) version of the potent .41 Remington Magnum. Some examples of .41 Special loads are:

• 180-grain bullets leaving a 6.5" barrel @ 1120 fps generating 501 foot-pounds of energy
• 200-grain bullets      ''     ''   ''       ''     '' 1200 fps  generating 638 foot-pounds of energy
      210-grain bullets  "         "    "       "     "  1050 fps generating 521 foot-pounds of energy

I have love for low load 41Mag loads. Not the same as "special" but interested.

Are there actual .41 special guns?

No, but www.ammo-one.com has loaded ammunition chambered in .41 Special. Hamilton Bowen will build a Ruger Super Blackhawk for you in .41 Special. Remember, the .41 Special can be loaded in any revolver chambered for the .41 Remington Magnum cartridge as any .357 S&W Magnum, or .44 Remington Magnum revolver will handle .38 S&W Special and .44 S&W Special.

That's the beauty of the .41 Special, a shorter case helps faster burning propellants more efficiently. In my heart, I believe that Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, and Bill Jordan would have wholeheartedly approved.     

Right on! I figured it would be just like the .357 and .44.

Starline brass is selling 500 .41 Special brass for $116.00 + shipping.  All that is required is to shorten the COAL by 1/8" (because that's how much shorter the case is than that of the .41 Remington Magnum).

Load data is available online and you can "mirror" top-end 10mm Auto loads with ease. The high-end loads for the the .41 Special tramps on the heels of the parent cartridge. Low-end loads parallel the .40 S&W but with heavier projectiles. 170-grain JHP loads for the .41 Special are great for self-defense and 150-pound game. (Hint: You don't need Magnum power level loads to drop a man or good sized deer). All you need to do is keep the quarry within reasonable ranges and you're "good to go".

I like the idea of downloading the magnums.

Keep in mind the 44 Magnum is really just a high pressure 44 special.  The case was lengthened only the amount needed to keep a 44 special from chambering them.  The COAL of the 44 special and magnum is the same.

In that way the 41 special can be attained most easily by downloading the 41 Mag to 15,000 PSI.

Hamilton Bowen will gladly modify your Security Six or GP100 to accept the .41 Special cartridge. This would make it lighter than the Redhawk and easier to carry. It might even make a great 6" barreled revolver for the Special.

Quote from: Pablo on March 30 2018 02:25:01 PM MDT
....

Are there actual .41 special guns?

No factory guns, but there are a few custom guns. The ones I have seen are Ruger Single Action revolvers.


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Handloader magazine had a couple of articles about the .41 Special. Many of the loads were in "full-house" .41 Magnum territory as for velocity and energy. If this one was created back when the .38 and .44 Specials it would probably be as anemic as the factory loadings for the two aforementioned rounds. As it is, this is a bad ass little round that rivals it's slightly larger sibling.

Ruger needs to adopt this poor homeless cartridge and relabel it in a way that showcases its versatility and put it in the GP-100.  I'd suggest the .41 Universal Super Special Ruger cartridge. 
They could headstamp it ".41 USSR".   

Maybe there's a reason I didn't go into marketing. 

How did I miss this?
Yes the 41 special is a great round. Aye you can down load the magnum cartridge, but like stated before, with a shorter case the sp shines with faster burning powders. Blue Dot, N105, are great and of course you can go with H110 if you use the 170gr Sierra. 
As far as the handguns in this chamber it's a custom proposition as has been said. The old three screw Single Actions make great 41 specials. The Ruger 101 can be used a s if you wanted to go S&W, the model 19 is an awesome choice.
Cast bullets have been the choice for many who decided to go the special route. And actually a 200gr running 950fps or faster is no slouch.  With the smaller pills such as the Sierra 170gr,, they can be cranked out as fast as you can do it, depending upon your gun choice or especially the cylinder if it is to be a 6 shot or a 5 shot. But why go to a 5 in a special? The guns that have been used to produce a 41 sp  have been strong enough that they can handle magnum pressures.
Shot placement is easier when a person can handle the lighter gun and the recoil. This was part of the choices when it came to the 41sp, or the 44 sp. Smaller frames lighter guns made all day carry easier. Less recoil was always welcome in most crowds. The is better when a quick follow up shot is needed.
What is not too like with a 41 sp? 
Dies,,,, The Lee die will not flare the mouth on the 41sp why? Because the special is too short. I have managed to use a small spacer in between the bell mouth part and the screw adjustment. Not a big problem. This move eliminated me having to but some other brand of dies to achieve the same results. Just a heads up.
Bullets cast is fine for some things,, but if you want to go jacketed, and especially if you want to hunt with the 41 mag or special USE premium bullets.