Which barrell length

[jrfrmn]

Opinoins from experienced hunter's. Which length barrell seems to work out bettet for target and Deer hunting. I am leaning toward the 7/12 to 8''. Has anyone used a 10'' or 6''? Which is better?

[Larry Gibson]

If I'm actually hunting and not just carrying then I prefer the 6-6 1/2" barrels for revolvers if a high ride belt holster is used (appropriate belt at that). I use a shoulder holster for the 7 1/2" barreled Ruger and sometimes even the 1 1/2" Ruger if I'm carrying a packframe. The shoulder holster also works fine for the 10" iron sighted Contender but if a scoped 10" Contender or 6+" revolver is used then the across the chest holster is prefered. I'll defer to those who use longer barrels than metioned as I go to a rifle if I want a longer barrel.

Larry Gibson

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree with larry but even go shorter. Most of my hunting guns are 4 inch and 4 5/8s and a few 5.5 inch but none other then contenders are longer then 5.5. Some people shoot long barrels better but ive allways done better off hand with a shorter barreled gun. Nothing points and shoots for me lilke a 4 inch n frame smith or a 4 5/8s single action

[timothy]

My experience has shown there aint no ryme or reason as to which guns will shoot better than others.

[Catfish]

Revolvers for carring while driveing deer 5 to 8 in. with iron sights or 2X scope. A 10 in. barreled contender will also work for a walking gun, but not as well in my oppenion. For sitting a stand I have a 15 in. barreled Encore with a 2 1/2 to 8X scope and a 27 in. high by-podthat can`t be beat. I rest the girp on my knee and it like shooting for a bench, but don`t even think about shooting this gun off hand and hitting something. I have kill more deer with a .44 mag. than anyother round, but have taken 4 in the last 3 years with a .357 max. Anything larger than a .44 mag. on deer is just for those that like recoil, and I have been known to carry a  .454 and .500 S&W. For a first deer gun I would recomand a .41 mag, a .44 mag. , or a .45 Colt revolver with iron sights with a 5 to 8 in. barrel, which ever feels best to you.

[drdougrx]

I'm in agreement with everyone here as well.  I had Mag-Na-Port build a predator for me many years ago.  The package comes with a 4 5/8" barrel but I requested they leave it at 6"  (was a 7.5" originally).  For me, 6" is about right though I would not reduce the length of a 7.5" in a  gun primarily for hunting.  In a woodswalker not primarily intended for hunting, I'd defer to a 4" for easier carry.

[OLDHandgunner]

I have dozens of pistols, revolvers & single shots in all barrel lengths from 3" to 14". It's not the barrel length that makes the accuracy. It is that the sight picture is better with a longer barrels with open sights. For me a revolver in 5 1/2" to 6 1/2" works the best over all for targets & hunting. If you are just starting out or just have one handgun for now, it's all about what you are going to do the most of and what you feel the most comfortable with. Just remember to enjoy the sport and have fun.