Hey Guys. i have a SBH 44mag with a 7.5" barrel with a scope I use for deer hunting.I am planning a hog hunt for sometime next yr and I am wanting a Ruger SBH or a Bisely in 44mag with a 5.5" barrel without a scope. I dont want to have a scope for hogs due to the time it will take for target aquisition (sp).I will most likely be stalking and could possibly have to deal with a charging or running hog.
My questions are:
1- will I be loosing a lot of velocity using a shorter barrel?
2- What does everyone else use?
I reload my deer loads with 240gr XTP with 20.1 gr of 296 or H110.I plan on moving up to a 300 grain flat nose bullet for better penetration and devastation, HAHA.

if ya use 296 or h110 then ya will lose velocity the diff b/w my 6" and 7.5" fa is just over 100fps with those powders.

Ya, you will lose a bit of speed but not enough to matter at typical hog distances.

Nothing to worry about, have you thought of putting a Ultra Dot on that rig.

I haven't checked the loading manual but will 2400 be a better powder to use? 100fps is not that bad though.

An Ultra dot may be a good idea. I have one on my Buckmark that I use for squirrel hunting. Maybe I should try that to see how I like it.

Something to consider being you're looking at buying a new pistol and all...... Ruger Bisley in 5.5" barrel in 45 colt. Load it with 300 gr hardcast over H110 and your set.

If you want to keep it simple, a shorter barrel 44 isn't bad, I'd load it with hard cast - especially if you have large porkers on the menu. I've shot a few pigs and they can soak up some lead.

The velocity difference likely won't be 100 ft/sec. For example, I have 2-44's in SBH - a 4.5" and a 7.5". Shooting the exact same load (260 hard cast over AA5) I got between 90 and 110 ft/sec with 3" barrel difference. My 240 jacketed (240 Sierra, 24.0 gr H110) gets 1212 in my 4.5 and 1337 in my 7.5. I'd guess you'll lose 50-60 ft/sec between a 7.5 and a 5.5 barrel length.

Seriously doubt the pigs will know the difference!

I am trying a Trijicon rmr on my FA 44M thinking it will be faster than a scope in brushy terrain. This is new to me so I may be doing things the hard way. We'll see.

Yep, that is a real hard one to beat!

Not enough velocity difference to matter. My cartridge of choice for hogs is the .44 Special in a revolver that is able to get 250gr cast bullets out at least 1000fps. Kills them just fine. Even stopped a monster hog in full charge with a Charter Target Bulldog and a couple of well placed shots. A .44 mag with a 5.5" tube is plenty. Main thing is shot placement. Practice with that rig and your set. reflex264

I hunt hogs with a 7.5" SBH Hunter and don't feel that the extra barrel length is a detractor in any fashion. As a matter of fact I have by gun topped with an UltraDot MatchDot and have found that it is ideal medicine for spot and stalk hogs. I can shoot with both eyes open, am able to accurately train on a moving/running hog for follow up shots and lastly, the dot provides a better aiming point in the last few hours of light. Iron sights, as much as I like them simply disappear on the dark background of a hog close to the end of shooting light.



What I find more important than barrel length is how you carry the gun. With a gun like this a hip holster is just not practical, and I prefer a shoulder or bandolier type holster that puts the gun under my weak side arm. It keeps it from getting hung up when stalking through the thick stuff and allows for quick access if I need to draw.

If you want a new gun, then by all means, go for it. One can never have too many. But if you are looking for something that can securely plant hogs on the ground and is accurate at longer ranges, I think what you have already is pretty good medicine.

Well Happy New Years Guys! lots of good info on here. I guess the main reason for going with a 44 mag is because I already reload for it. I dont have the 45 dies and brass readily available but that could happen easily. As for the ultra dot, I believe I will invest in one to put on the 7.5 SBH just to see how I like it.
Nice looking guns guys.
A FA is a dream right now.