BARREL LENGTH

[HARDCORE]

Hi guys,


          I'm thinking of getting another pistol for deer hunting.  I use to carry a S&W 586 with a 8 3/8" barrel, but sold it because i did'nt feel comfortable hunting deer with a .357.  That was 2 years ago and i cant get rid of the itch for another deer hunting pistol.  So im going to get either a .44 Ruger SBH or the Bisley hunter.  The only problem is that im not sure if i want to get the 7 1/2" or 10 1/2" barrel.   Do you guys think the extra 3" of sight radius will be more accurate and tame the recoil better than the 7 1/2'er?  The extra bulk is'nt too much concern because im going to carry it in a bandolier holster.



                                  Thanks,  HARDCORE

[pastorp]

Hardcore, For me 7&1/2" provides all the sight radius I need. Actually I prefer 5&1/2-6&1/2". Regards, Byron

[myronman3]

i have had both lengths.  if you want accuracy and easy shooting, the 10 1/2 inch is DEFINATELY the winner.  you cant believe the difference that little bit of extra length makes.   the only downside is the ways you can carry it; not a gun for a hip holster.  but for the application you state,  10 1/2 is your animal.  
    as a side note, i gave mine to my dad because he liked it so much and never had a nice 44.   sometimes i miss it, but it has a good home and gets more attention this way.   :wink:

[Van/TX]

Depends on your eyes :lol: When you get older and no longer can focus on front, rear sight and target at the same time you will get a "scope" then it don't matter what the barrel length is :shock:   .......Van

[leverfan]

After trying out a few long barreled revolvers, I don't buy any revolver for hunting that has a barrel longer than 6".  The bulk, slow handling, and extra weight of long barreled revolvers don't mix well with my type of hunting (walk in only, steep coastal mountains, and short range shooting in heavy brush).  Along the same lines, I don't scope my revolvers anymore, either.  If I want to reach out that far, I'll go with an Encore pistol, or a rifle.  The ballistics gained from long barreled revolvers, while impressive on paper, fail to make any major difference in field shooting situations, at least in my opinion.

[sgtt]

If are going to purchase a "Hunter" you will have a 7 1/2" barrel.  To the best of my knowledge they are not produced in any other length.

[WD45]

My preference in between 6 and 7.5.  Only because they are easier to handle and pack around. I never cared much for those giant bandolier things ..... Its like having the rifle scabbard I use for the horse strapped on my chest

[palgeno]

The Hunter (only 7.5") comes in two different grip versions. Personally, I liked the Bisley and bought it---no regrets----handles plenty fast. If you want faster, go double action---S&W 629. pg

[Catfish]

Were I you I would try to find a place where to could try acouple of different lenth barrel. I have hunted deer with barrel lenths from 6 to 15 ins. and feel that they all have there place. How you hunt and where you hunt has alot to do with what barrel lenth you should carry. When driveing or jump hunting I carry a revolver, usually a .44 mag., with iron sights. My old RSB 3 screw with a 7 1/2 in. barrel is as good as I`ve found for that, although my El Dorado Arm with a 10 3/4 in. barrel is also excelant. For sitting a stand I like my Encore .357 max. with a 15 in barrel. It wears a Leupold scope and has a 27 in. Harris by-pod on it. With it I can sit on the ground rest the grip on my knee and it about like shooting from a bench. Good to about 200 yrds. with practice and a range finder. For 1 all around gun I would recomand a revolver, but try several befor you buy one. Make sure you try thre Ruger Super Black Hawk. I think that it`s the best but on the market for the money.

[Van/TX]

Chris, wait about 15 years and then revisit this thread   .....Van

[Lone Star]

What many shooters forget is that long barrels do not always equate to better accuracy.  In theory the longer sight radius should give the longer barrel an advantage, but in the harsh reality of the real world that is just not always the case.  Particularly with older eyes, a shorter sight radius is easier to focus on, with faster sight picture acquisition and thus, better field accuracy.  I find my 4 5/8" Blackhawk to be notably more accurate in the field than my 8" M45 Dan Wesson, although off the bench or on the IHMSA course the Dan holds a better grouping.  Since I can easily get 1100 fps with a 250XTP out of my short .45LC BH, a longer barrel serves me no advantage for deer.  

Scoped it is a different story, but I personally don't like a scoped revolver in the field.  My hunting Contenders are all scoped (except for the .50-70), but not my revolvers.

[TScottO]

Most of the revolvers I buy have 5.5 or 6” barrels. This length is a good compromise for hunting and packing around. If I were buying a pistol primarily for hunting I would buy the 7.5” barrel. It’s still decently packable and gives a good sight plane for open sight shooting as well as good balance with a scope. Something that’s not so important but still remains a small plus is the added velocity you get with longer barrels. If I were to buy a gun I didn’t plan on packing around and was going to use it for punching paper at the range I’d buy the 10.5” barrel. The 7.5” barrel noticeably absorbs more recoil when compared to shorter barrels.

As far as a guns inherent accuracy goes, if I’m not mistaken, it only takes two bullet lengths of rifling to stabilize a bullet for repeatable accurate shooting.

Be Safe,
Scott

[HARDCORE]

Thanks for all of the replys guys.  I'm probably going to go with the 7 1/2" bisley hunter.  My 41 year old eyes are still pretty good and i'll stick with iron sights for now.  But at least ill have a great pistol to put a scope or red dot on when the eyes start to go.
                     

                      thanks again     HARDCORE

[palgeno]

Hardcore---I have already  passed over the same sight threshold which you seem to be entering. (60 yr old eyes here) I use scopes on all my single shots and red dots or scopes on revolvers except my Bisley Hunter. In fact I bought it expressly to use with open sights. I wanted something I could carry on my hip and use in snow,rain,fog,etc. I tried the One Ragged Hole sight blade and the ghost ring concept works for me very well out to about 50 yds and ok out to 75 yds which is probably as far as I need to go with a .44 mag  anyway. Give those sight blades a try---25 bucks well spent.! Wish they made them for S&W 629's!    pg