Decisions,decisions, decisions!!!!!!!!!!!

[asquires2]

Long story short, I had a brute walk within 20ft of my treestand this year. He got spooked and bounced out to 50yrds and stopped. By the time I got my Encoree 243 pistol up and around a tree I couldnt find him in my 3x12x32 scope. By the time I got my scope situated he vanished ! So I decided to go with a open sight set up for the treestand and thick stuff . My question is I was looking at either the 45lc or the 44 mag, Im going with the 44 mag because of the choices of ammo but what would be the idea length for the barrel for accuracy?

[Ken ONeill]

I generally prefer 6" to 7 1/2", but this is a highly personal decision, based in part on the shooter's eyesight and experience, as well as the terrain.

[Mikey]

It has often been said that the most accurate barrel length for the average shooter is 4-5" as both shorter and longer barrels tend to exagerate things, like sight pictures, barrel movements, the affect of the trigger pull.  A 4-5" 44 magnum should work fine for you at 50 yds.  Sorry to hear about that buck though.

[Lloyd Smale]

like mikey i prefer short barreled sixguns. I just shoot them better and there easier to pack. But that is a decision that must be made by the shooter as some shoot longer barrels better. Barrel lenght has nothing to do with accuracy in a revolver. But after saying that ill add that very few can shoot a sixgun with a barrel shorter then 4 inches well. As to caliber the 44 mag gets my nod. Sure it doesnt have the cool factor a 45 colt does but it will do anything the colt will and ammo, brass and bullets are easier to come buy and if your not a handloader 44 specials give an option for light practice loads. Ive owned many of each and also have allways found the 44 mag easier to find good accurate loads for. Not that the 45 colt cant be accurate it just that it takes more work in load developement. My idea of the ultimate open sighted out of the box hunting gun is a stainless 4 5/8s ruger super blackhawk 44 mag.

[drdougrx]

Good suggestions by all!  The 44 will certainly work and is very flexible.  I like the 5" or 6" for iron sighted hunting guns.  Seems to hold steady for me.  Really, good suggestions!

[Redhawk1]

I like the 45 Colt over the 44 Mag. I reload so I can get my 45 Colt to do anything the 44 Mag will do, and with a little bigger hole. Barrel length for me , I like a 6 inch barrel. I like a red-dot for hunting, you can get on target very fast, and it gives you a little more time in the stand at dusk when shooting light is low. I also use iron sights on my hunting handgun, but the red-dot is the way to go.. I only have one handgun left with a scope, and that is my .22.. I don't like how lone it takes to acquire the target. Now if you have nothing but time a scope is great. But for a quick shot opportunity, the red-dot is hard to beat.

I have been handgun hunting for over 36 years now, so I have a little time in the woods with my handguns. The red-dot that has worked for me time and again and I never have a problem with is the Ultra dots.. Tried almost every Red-dot out there and Ultra-dot has won my confidence as a reliable sight.

As for 45 Colt brass being hard to find, I don't seem to have that problem.. I have over 1000 cases sitting in my brass box as well as 700 rounds loaded up..  

There is nothing wrong with the 44 Mag, my is just personal preference.  

[eye shot]

You should check with your DNR as to barrel length. I like the .454 and you can still shoot .45LC.

[luckydawg13]

i like the 454 to and the 44 mag i shoot tenders and encores so longer barrels 13" and 14" i do have a 243 15" barrel open sights but it will have a scope
my shoots are under 100yrds so the 454 goes hunting
a lot more

[asquires2]

Man that Super Blackhawk keeps hunting me! But for now Im lookng for a 44 barrel for my encore. Once I can hide somemore funds then I will adopt a SBH. As for the one that got away I look at it as a lesson learned., Pay more attention to your surroundings. Then again they always say 3 times is a charm, Ive seen him twice , maybe the third time will be the charm. So back to the topic at hand , which would be a good length for a Encore pistol in 44 mag?

[SHOOTALL]

I had a super 14 on a contender it shot nice but i enjoyed it more when the pachmyer  grips arrived 
A good friend had a 10 contender which we shot in competition it worked well also. Keep in mind most here were talking sixguns and the extra bbl on a single shot will account for the cyl area give or take some. I alway thought the 10 blanced better after shooting both.
 If you go wheel gun at least hold a Redhawk before you decide 

[asquires2]

I had a super 14 on a contender it shot nice but i enjoyed it more when the pachmyer  grips arrived 
A good friend had a 10 contender which we shot in competition it worked well also. Keep in mind most here were talking sixguns and the extra bbl on a single shot will account for the cyl area give or take some. I alway thought the 10 blanced better after shooting both.
 If you go wheel gun at least hold a Redhawk before you decide 

Yeah I noticed that, plus it was my fault I didnt clarify my question. Either way that SBH is haunting me!

[Lon371]

 I recommend before you jump on the SBH you go hold and shoot one. If your hands are big like mine, you may decide on the Red Hawk Neighbor has Black Hawk in the .44. I have a time shooting it, just dont fit right. On the other hand I have a Contender with a super 14 .357 Maximum and pachmyre grips. It is a pleasure to shoot even with hot loads.

Lonny

[asquires2]

I recommend before you jump on the SBH you go hold and shoot one. If your hands are big like mine, you may decide on the Red Hawk Neighbor has Black Hawk in the .44. I have a time shooting it, just dont fit right. On the other hand I have a Contender with a super 14 .357 Maximum and pachmyre grips. It is a pleasure to shoot even with hot loads.

Lonny

Yeah I thought about that too, Im gonna have to hit the handgun range .

[SHOOTALL]

Same here I shot a Super Blackhawk for years in IMHSA matches great gun but I had to wrap my little finger under the grip as it was only big enough for 2 fingers. I now use a Redhawk and like it alot.

[shot1]

If you want to cure the grip problem with the Ruger Super or plain Black Hawk get you a Hogue mono grip. On my 5 1/2" 45 Colt BH with heavy loads it would flip up and let the grip slip and roll back on the web of my hand and "IT HURT"! I got the Hogue grip and it turned that beast into a pussy cat. Very comfortable to shoot and control.

I think a 10" barrel would work really well for your need. A good red dot sight would also work well for your close range shooting. Otherwise you will need to have some sort of high visible front sight or paint so you can see the front sight in the dark woods. Been there and done that and it ain't fun.

[rjr9603]

You should check your DNRs requirements for barrel length as already mentioned. Where I hunt we are required to have at least a 6" barrel.

[irold]

When I carried an Encore for whitetail , I mostly carried a 12" 44mag with a Bushnell trophy reddot.  Worked real well for me.........untill I lost Mr. Big, but thats another story and was my fault , not the Encore or barrel selection.  Yes , lots of decisions.  And everyone has a different opinion.  Its a great country !

regards irold