Thoughts on .454 barrel length 6" or 7.5"

Considering my first Freedom Arms purchase, there are 2 available with the options I like, factory trigger job and black micarta grips. One has a 6" barrel and one a 7.5"

Currently shooting a SBH with 6.5" barrel and a .45 SBHH with the 7.5" I like them both.

I will use it for target as well as hunting. Although I am an avid traditional bowhunter and muzzleloader hunter have never hunted with a pistol not allowed in N.J. Nearing retirement and hope to give it a try probably starting with a Pa. preserve hunt.

Would appreciate any thoughts or preferences from you all.

Thanks,
Ivoryhunter

I used to think 6.5" but the 454 has taught me that barrel length matters. 7.5" gets my vote.

I have been considering a similar thing. Looking at a .454 BFR in either a 6.5 or 7.5 barrel. Does anyone have info on how much velocity is lost going to the shorter barrel? Most load data is based on 9.5 barrel length and I know my current 7.5 is a lot slower than those figures. Ballistics by the Inch don't have data for the .454.

you're looking at about 60-70fps difference between the two.

I never felt like the extra recoil of the 454 was worth the velocity adder over a hot loaded 45 Colt. Works out to be an extra 300 FPS or so with the 250 gr bullet. Felt recoil difference is noticeable.

I have a Taurus Raging Bull .454 5" a FA .454 7.5" and a Ruger SuperBlackhawk .454 7.5". All are ported. The 5" has a good bit more "flip" in it. I prefer the 7.5s. The longer barrel makes the gun more balanced to me and makes off hand shots easier.

It really comes down to personal preference. The difference in velocity is not going to be enough to worry about. I have two FA's in 454, one 6" and one 10" love them both, and don't know if I could choose between them.

If you get a BFR 454 I would suggest 6.5 inch as they measure from the front of the frame. So 6.5 turns out closer to 7 inches in reality. And the BFR Bisley grip frame and white or black micarta grip is sharp looking. I encourage the BFR over the Freedom Arms. You can get more by designing your custom feature BFR on their website and they will make it just as you specify.

Dick Casull once told me he designed his 454 around a 7 1.2" barrel...

jamesfromjersey, JMHO that would be enough info for me to decide, on the other hand I'm willing to admit that the 454 is just too much for me.

Thanks for everyone weighing in on this. Will defer to Dick Casull and go with 7.5 barrel. Taking another look at BFR'S which are kind of tempting due to big price difference, hard to decide business has been good but this virus has me concerned with the future.
Thanks again,
Ivoryhunter

Many don't like a scoped revolver, but for me the extra weight of the scope makes a 454 much more fun to shoot. I actually enjoy shooting my scoped 454 FA and BFR. The amount of torque has gone from violent to merely awesome. You can check out my scoped BFR on the Bragging Board.

Seminole Wind that is a nice looking pistol, what is the grip on it, I don't see anything like that on stock BFRS currently for sale.

Ivoryhunter, thanks. The grips are custom from Chad Robinette at Chigs Grips. They are made of Aspen, which is a soft wood, but they have held up under hunting conditions without a scratch.

BC, That`s as honest a reply I`ve seen in a while....