Author Topic: 44 mag what barral lenth (Read 1396 times)

jonesjj · « **on:** October 09, 2003, 10:37:31 AM »

Greatings All,
Sort of new to the list, I am going to do some white tail deer hunting in Northern IL this yr and was wondering what barral lenth you guy's/gal's ? think would be a good lenth.

I will be getting a Ruger as I like them and a single action as I like them also, in the place that I will be hunting the longest shot may be 80yds.

Any feedback will be welcome.

Jeff

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2003, 11:31:00 AM »

I like 6" barrels. A lot of guys prefer the balance of the 7.5" barrels in a single action Ruger. The difference is purely one of ergonomic preference, there's not enough ballistic difference to matter.

jonesjj · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2003, 11:57:15 AM »

I should add that I will most likely be putting some sort of scope or red-dot on it at some time.

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2003, 12:32:08 PM »

The Leupold 2x is the scope to use.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2003, 01:11:45 PM »

I have a sbh ss in 7.5 with a 2x Nikon great scope and does well in low lite. Its a little heavy but has a great feel in the field. Since most deer hunting with pistols is done in the single action mode, you should look at the Redhawk. If I would have bought this first I would not have the other 44's Awsome gun.
Jim

340wby · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2003, 01:23:26 PM »

You'll have to find your own compromise between ease of Carry and and the barrel lengths effect on the Bullets velocity , in general, you want to pick a barrel link between 6 in. and 10 in., the 7 1/2 -8 3/8 barrel lengths are found my most people to be about ideal, the type of holster you choose to wear also have an impact on the choice of barrel length, hip holster make barrel lengths over 6 in. very inconvenient for use in the sitting position like when you're driving a car between locations or sitting in a tree stand, shoulder holsters tend to work better for longer barrel lengths by carry a 10 in. barrel 445 DAN Wesson supermag most of the time while he and I'm hunting and ,and shoulder holsters are the only way that I can comfortably do it. I am more than willing to sacrifice a little ease of carry too gain the greater hitting power longer barrel provides
my brother-in-law chooses a six-inch barrel 357 Magnum Smith & Wesson L frame , he chose that because that particular firearm is powerful enough to kill deer effectively and is very easy to carry using a low mounted hip holster almost like a gunslinger rig in the old Western movies
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TScottO · « **Reply #6 on:** October 09, 2003, 02:38:33 PM »

Hello jonesjj,

You have a choice to make first if you are going to scope this gun. Are you willing to have a smith drill and tap the top strap of your gun? If you are you have a choice of barrel lengths. I believe Ruger barrel lengths run 7 ½, 5 ½, and 4 5/8. Only the 7 ½ version comes with a set of scope rings. If you scope your gun it really doesnt matter what length barrel you use because the need for a longer sighting radius that longer barrels provide is eliminated.

I dont like longer barreled handguns because I feel they take away the balance and compactness of the firearm. If I were you I would go with the 5 ½ barrel and pay a Smith to do an action job. While the Smith has your gun, have him to drill and tap the top strap to accept a Weigand weaver style mount. This way you could scope the gun at will and also have a nice packable gun when you choose to carry without a scope.

http://www.jackweigand.com/raswms.html

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

jonesjj · « **Reply #7 on:** October 09, 2003, 04:59:02 PM »

This is some great feedback, Thanks.

I like the idea about being able to have ease of carry, and if a 5 1/2 inch will do just as well up to 80 - 100 yrds as a 7 1/2 inch lets say ( with a scope ) I would rather go with the 5 1/2 inch.

Do you guys think the balance with a scope would be a little better on a 5 1/2 inch ?

I talked to Feedom Arms today about there 44 mag ( a freind sugjested this ) This is one expensive hand gun ! just the field spec is over $1500.00 and if you want diff grips add another $135.00 on that. Is this that much better than a Ruger that a good gun smith has gone over ?

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2003, 02:14:42 AM »

Jeff:

It's not much better than a Ruger that a good smith has not gone over.

Dance · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2003, 02:44:13 AM »

I would stick with a 4 5/8 to 7 1/2 inch barrel. I have a 10 1/2 Super Blackhawk, and it's a great gun, but the barrel is too long really. Harder to get a quality holster that fits you well and you don't give up much using a shorter barrel.
I think your 5 1/2 inch would be great out to 80-100 yards, but on the other hand it depends what gun you are looking at and what you can get. Most single action hunting guns just seem to look better, maybe more balance with 7 1/2 inch barrel. At least to me. Whatever you decide, its always fun figuring out what kinda gun to get =)

tony212 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2003, 03:05:38 AM »

One thing to always keep in mind, you carry a gun way more than you shoot it. I use a 4" Anaconda and have never had any regrets. In the Ruger I would go with the 4 7/8 or the 5 1/2. Just my $.02.
good luck :lol:

jonesjj · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2003, 06:35:05 AM »

Well I was out doing a little window shopping today and looking at the SBH and the SRH. When I looked at the SRH in 454 with 7 1/2" that gun fit like a glove and I just couldnt put it down.

I know that that cal is WAY over kill to harvest a white tail but I was thinking of using it with a .45 load, for white tail and if I ever go after big hogs or something I could just load it up with the 454's gives me an option.

I am not really a DA guy but would use it in SA mode.
Jim n Iowa seems to like his SRH anyone else out there have an opinion on the SRH ?

Jeff

hans g./UpS · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2003, 06:59:31 AM »

I have the 9.5"SRH 44Mag-with a Milllett Scopesight-allows me use of both iron sights and scope[2EER Leupold].Get 4"groups@100yds with 300gr XTPs.Plenty good enough for deer,plus that long-er cylinder allows 320gr cast slugs if I choose.Wouldn't mind a RH 5.5"in 454Casull.

44 Man · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2003, 07:00:52 AM »

Well, I think you have it figured out! What feels good in your hand is more important than most people think. I don't know how many times I have bought a gun that was supposed to be the cats ass, only to find out it didn't fit me or feel right. Then it would lay in the gun safe for a couple of years and I would end up trading it off for something else. The guns that feel good just seem to work better for you and you end up shooting them a lot. I have a scoped Freedom Arms in .44 mag that I just love but I had to thin the grips before they felt good to me. I like the feel of the Ruger SBH just fine also. I had a 5.5" bbl Blackhawk with a scope on it and the balance was great, that was one of the best shooting Rugers I have ever owned. It would shoot 2.5" at 100 yds off sandbags all day. just as good as my Freedom Arms. Get what you like and shoot it a lot. 44 Man

jonesjj · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2003, 11:19:36 AM »

Well it is done :~) orderd the SRH 454 with 7 1/2" Barral should be able to get it on thursday.

Thanks all who responded, I must check the archives now and see what has been discussed on the SRH 454 and find out what scopes will hold up with that Big Daddy, and see what kind of luck guys are haveing with the stock rings or some other kind. The shop owner said that the only 2 scopes he has heard that will last on it are the Leupold and the Burris.

Jeff

TScottO · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2003, 07:06:35 PM »

Go with the 2x Leupold and don't look back. Have a Smith install and lap your rings. I've seen several sets of the Ruger rings where the mating surcaces weren't as level as they needed to be. It will be money well spent and shouldn't cost that much.

I lap my own rings with some valve grinding compound and a 6" long 1" diameter piece of tool steel stock. You can pick up both of those items at any machine shop if you want to lap them yourself.

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

jonesjj · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2003, 09:15:27 AM »

what do you guys think of the Burris Signature Pos-Align® Offset Insert Kit
with the Burris rings ? put a 2x Leupold on them, would that make a good set up that would stay alighned and not be shaken around from the recoil ?

Does the Leupold have a good eye relive ?

Jeff

Old Griz · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2003, 06:21:19 PM »

What I think is better than any one of these is a red dot scope. For the ranges of handgun hunting (I even have one on my .30-30) they are great. You don't even have to worry about eye relief. E. Arthur Brown has Bushnells on sale right now, and I'd give them a look. If your target is moving (coyotes don't always sit still for long) you may not get it in your scope in time, but with a red dot you can have both eyes open and where the red dot sits (parallax free) that where the bullet goes.

Good choice on the SRH. Then again, for a huntin' gun, almost any Ruger SA or DA will beat the rest. I'm a Bisley fan. After one .44 Bisley, I traded my DA Redhawk for another one. (One scoped, one w/o.) Today I bought another, this time a Bisley Vaquero with a 5.5 barrel. It's just a fun gun. But then, ain't they all?

www.eabco.com :cb2:

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2003, 01:54:44 AM »

Personaly I think your pushing it a little to buy a handgun this close to hunting and expect to be proficeint enough to hunt with it this year. I hope your a natural! Id buy a good gun and a realoading set up and shoot the crap out of it for a year and try hunting with it next year.

jonesjj · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2003, 07:13:26 AM »

Lloyd Smale,
Yes you could be right, Have shot pleanty large boar handguns in the past, 44mag's exetra. I also shoot IPSIC (Action shooting ) with .45 and .40 on a weekly basis.

Don't know if I want to get set up to reload the big daddy at this time, I do reload the .45 and .40 cal I shoot, I also reload shot shells I use for Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5 stand, and trap.

I think once I get it and get 100 rounds through it, I will know where it is shooting and be able to make a decision at the time of the Potential harvest, if I have a clean shot or not, and what the reaction of the gun will be, if not I dont have a problem passing up the shot, and wait for another.

You do make a very valad point though, Since I will only be using this gun for hunting it will see probly no more than 120 rounds a yr before a hunt. I will know where it is hitting before it goes to the woods. I figure a box of 20 every 3 mo and the last 2 boxes just before going out should keep me up to speed on it enough to hunt with it accuratly, and most importantly safely.

Thanks for the reply and your point is very well taken.

JRWHITETAIL · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2003, 03:01:31 AM »

Hi guys, What you have said already is true. You must find the gun that fits you. Not he one that fits your brothers cousin. As far as my thoughts on barrel length. 6 to 8 inch is the way to go for hunting. These lengths to ME fit the bill. Especially if I scope the gun.