The .41 has been a favorite for me since '72...it was my first magnum purchased just after returning from my first tour in Vietnam. Then and now, it's always been a reloader's proposition in my opinion. The original loads were a full house, no nonsense MAGNUM, with a 210 gr JHP. It was a handful even in an 8-3/8" bbl'd Smith M57. For hunting deer, illegal then in Connecticut with a handgun, it would have done the job, but I was into a range gun for my own pleasure. A box of the law enforcement loads, leaded up my barrel that I got into bullet casting to try and sort it out.
Over the years I've found that Lyman's excellent 410459 size to 0.411" did the job on targets or game and did not lead up my barrel. I still have the Smith, now with a 6" bbl. on it courtesy of S&W's Service Dept and on their nickle too. It's as accurate as ever, and will do sub 2" gps at 25 yds from a rested position if I'm having no trouble with my glasses!
I've also owned and shot two NM Rugers, both 6-1/2" bbl'd, and found them every bit as accurate as the Smith. Currently I've got one of the Lipsey's 6-1/2" Flat Tops and a 4-digit 3-screw BH built in 1966. This last, a 4-5/8" bbl'd beauty is my treasure and I spend a good deal of time with it here on the farm. It too likes that cast 410459, as well as Hornady's 210 gr XTP. I generally carry it with the cast bullet, loaded to 950-1000 fps, a nice comfortable, all day at the range load that's superbly accurate. (Pic below dressed out in a set of stocks I made for it.)
If you intend to keep it, I'd suggest getting into reloading....without casting equipment, you can rely on Missouri Bullet Co.'s LSWC offerings for great accuracy at a reasonable price. Powders are easy: Bullseye, Unique, Win 231, Herco, WST, WSF, and for the recoil hardened: Accurate #9, 2400, and 296 all do very well.
For daily carrying in field or woods, the 4-5/8" bbl'd Rugers are nice and won't stick up into your short ribs when seated, and for deer stand use the 6-1/2" ones do nicely in a cross chest "tanker" type holster rig. In my use, I prefer a solid Tom Threepersons type of open top holster of the OWB genre, worn at 3-4 o'clock with a good gun belt.
HTH's Rod