Author Topic: Is there a "perfect" barrel length for hunting? (Read 741 times)

DakotaElkSlayer · « **on:** March 09, 2005, 11:52:48 AM »

I am looking at getting a 45Colt for hunting WITH OPTICS. What barrel length would be the "happy medium" for this?

Jim

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2005, 01:22:29 PM »

what type of handgun will you be shooting?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2005, 01:25:49 PM »

I would say what you feel comfortable with and it meets your State's min barrel length. What works for me may not work well for you.

crawfish · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2005, 01:28:54 PM »

Well locally the happy medium is Sister Rita but she dont hunt. On a .45LC that you intend to scope 5.5-6 inches will do just fine. With the scope it will be a bit off balance on your hip but they will ride there ok. You may get better service from a cross draw shoulder rig. I use both and like the shoulder rig best.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2005, 02:20:41 PM »

Don't care much for a scope on a handgun, but as far as my prefered barrel length on a revolver, it's 5.5".

SingleFan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2005, 02:12:38 PM »

Ditto the previous comments on length suggestions 5.5 - 6 inches. I like 6 a little better - the site radius is just about right for me open sights

Also, when it is scoped, it feels a little better balanced. When the barrel gets long you start to feel like you might as well be carrying a rifle.

Go 6" and if you decide to shoot her open sights for a packing gun, you'll not be dissappointed.

Catfish · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2005, 02:41:01 PM »

I`ve been hunting deer with a handgun ever since Oh. made it legal. I`ve taken several deer with a handgun over the years, but this years was the first that was shot with a scope. I shot it with a .357 max. on an Encore frame. I can tell you that hunting with a handgun is alot different than hunting with a long gun. Scope for handgun are alot different than scopes for long guns. The eye relife is much greater, they are much harder to see through and the field of vision is much smaller. If your just getting started with a handgun and are going to be stalking or driveing deer I would recomand you start with open sights. If your going to be sitting a stand and shooting from a rest and have pleanty of time then a scope would be nice. I have been shooting scoped handguns since 1969 and do plan on carring a scoped handgun while driveing deer next year, but I plan on doing alot of shooting in the mean time and I may deside not to again.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2005, 03:56:47 PM »

THANKS CATFISH! A month ago I was looking for optics for my little Beretta Neos .22LR. I looked through pistol scopes at arm's length and really didn't like it...really found it tedious being a rifle guy. So I ended up buying a red dot.

Do you think a red dot would be a good option?

Jim