14" .44 Mag or 10"?

[Lonegun1894]

I currently have a Contender with multpile barrels, dont we all?  Anyway, with the exception of a lone 14" super-14 chambered in .44 Mag, the rest are all 10" barrels.  I have to admit I really prefer the 10" over the 14" as far as handling and everything else goes, but dont know how much performance I would be giving up if I was to sell the 14 to fund a 10, or just trade for one.  It currently wears a 4x scope, so the lenght of the sight plane isn't affected by the lenght of the barrel.  What do y'all think?  Would it be worth it to get rid of the 14" and replace it with a 10", or would y'all just stick with the 14" tube?  Any pros/cons are appreciated in favor of either.  My other barrels are .22LR, .30 Herret, and .357 mag, if that makes a difference in your opinion.  Thanks.

[sr sawyer]

Like you I prefer the 10" barrels for most but not all calbers.  I had a chart that showed the difference in velocities for a 10" and 14" barrel and the 44 Mag was one of those listed.
 
Of course I cannot find the chart but from memory I think the 10" barrel gives up about 50-75 fps versus the 14" barrel with most loads.  For my use with the 44 Mag I sacrifice the velocity for the handier 10" barrel.
 
Shooting near max. loads I can attest that the 14" barrel does more to tame recoil.  With a scoped 10" and a non-scoped 14" recoil is about the same to me.
 
Ken
 
 
 
 

[luckydawg13]

i had a 10" sold it and got a 14" some time's i miss the 10" barrel
butt most time's i dont 

[1puckaway]

I hated the 14 so when young and dumb I cut it to ten and now I will put a brake on it and see.

[Lonegun1894]

I usually tend to not shoot the absolute max pressure loads anyway, so I am not getting the maximum velocity the 14" is capable of.  That makes me think that the 10" would probably be a good compromise for me then.  At the same time, the 14" shoots so well, I am not about to go cutting it and possibly ruin a great barrel.  I know this wasn't the original plan, but part of me is starting to think that the best way to go would be to save up and buy a 10", and then try them side by side and keep the one I prefer.  The down side of it all will be what to do if i end up liking both, and I haven't met a lot of guns I didn't like.  If only the heater and AC hadn't just gone out a few days ago.

[spinafish]

sounds like a good idea to me..that way you won't be sick if the new 10" doesn't shoot near as good as the 14"..

[martrage]

           Lonegun, You might like a new style 12'' better than either 10" or 14" barrels. I have ,or had 10,12,14&16.25 lengths and like the 12" best. Great balance and good velocity. The older 10" bull barrels are not the same contour as the 12&14in barrels. I personally like the look of the larger forend on the 12in. Great for bench, pack or bi pod shooting, yet this length is still manageable when fired offhand. Try it, you might like it!

[dstegjas]

I agree with the 12" option. My first contender what the hunter package that came with a 12" .44 barrel with a muzzle tamer on it. I have had several 10" through 14" barrel over the years in many calibers. I always seem to go back to the 12" barrel or shorter just because it feels good to me and shoots well for me. You can still find these barrels out there if you look for them.

Jim

[Flynmoose]

I started with 12 inch barrels for my Encore and G2 pistols by accident. I handled other lengths at gun stores and shows. I like the 12 inch barrels and will stick with them.
FM

[Lonegun1894]

I dislike muzzle-brakes, but a 12" doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.  Assuming they are made without muzzlebrakes also, that may be a great option.  I know I'm about to be told I need to look at the new types of hearing protection available, and I will eventually, but at least up until this last hunting season, I have always hunted without hearing protection.  I know hearing damage is cumulative, but I also believe that the one or two shots per year at deer are the least of my worries.  Now if we're talking practice, I use it.

[swift-justice]

Of course I cannot find the chart but from memory I think the 10" barrel gives up about 50-75 fps versus the 14" barrel with most loads.
Ken

That sounds about right..maybe 100 fps on some.

[Curtis]

I vote for 10".  Your thought of buying one and keeping both it and the 14" barrel long enough to see which you prefer (or longer) is a good one too.  As a side note, I am 52 y.o. this year and have yet to sell a single gun or Contender barrel so I understand the danger in doing that.
 
I own 14" barrels in calibers that justify the extra length (7-30 Waters, 375 JDJ, etc.......) but much prefer the 10" barrels for carryability and overall balance, especially if I'm woods walking.  Unless I am in a box stand or somewhere with a good rest, I just can't hold the longer barrels on target like I can the 10" ones.  Of course if a rest is available even a fence post or tree, I will use it no matter the barrel length. 
 
The only Contender barrel I would avoid if I were you is the 10" octagon.  The recoil is just too unpleasant, even with a scope and mount to weigh it down some.  I have both the octagon and heavy 10" barrels in 44 mag and I enjoy my scoped heavy barrel much more.  Good luck in your endeavor.
 
Curtis
 
P.S.  I have no experience with the 12" barrels the other posters mentioned.  Like you though, I dislike brakes and don't own one even on my 375 JDJ.  That one is harder kicking, but somehow more manageable than the 44 mag 10" octagon barrel I mentioned above.

[yooper77]

I bought my 1997 T/C Encore as a pistol wearing a 10" 44 Remington Magnum barrel. I mounted a Weaver 2x20mm pistol scope with simple Weaver scope base and Millet Rings.
 
This setup was so handy and accurate, with 44 Remington Magnum or 44 S&W Special rounds. I am sure you will like the 10" barrel compared too the 14" barrel, but 12" is a nice compromise too.
 
yooper77

[Zenshin]

I solved this dilema for myself by getting a 44 magnum 8" barrel!  Dennis