You always have 'that guy' ...most of us try not to be 'that guy' , but ,never the less, 'that guy' always shows up.

Its possible he doesnt grasp that just because you can do something, it doesnt mean you should do it.

well I'll just say this, there are those on here with many more handgun kills than I but that said I think I understand something about the limitations of certain firearms since I build them. My forte has always been more in the technical aspects of short guns. I've hit a coyote on a dead run at 115yds with a 4 5/8 475 but I wouldn't have done it on a game animal. I know guys that consistently hit milk jugs at a 100yds and more and by consistent I mean at least 9 out of 10 times. I can't anymore but thats the kind of accuracy that is minimal for the distance your shooting at a game animal.

I've hunted on three different continent's and if there is one thing I've learned, it's not how far you can shoot or how great of a shot you are. It's how humane of a sportsman you are!!! Anyone can shoot along distance with plenty of practice, but some hunter's will never mature enough to realize that the thing your hunting can feel everything your about to do to it..

I like 4" on my revolvers. Of course Illinois offers few long shots here in the SUCKER state.
Steve

For a primary Handgun in NC we have to use a 5.5 min barrel.

4 5/8th is as short as I go .With open sights 60 yds max range off a damn steady rest.I think we as hunters owe the game we hunt respect and a humane quick finish.I carry scoped other things for longer ranges.

Very well put, I couldn't agree more....

Bobby J, the N.C. restriction requiring a 5 1/2" barrel was dropped 2 years ago, as was the caliber restriction.

That was my understanding as well, Ken.

That is a great post!

I think the only state still with a barrel restriction is MD.

I suspect the state fish & game people are dropping the barrel length and often caliber restriction due to CCW permits and wanting to get as many people hunting as possible. But there will be some yahoo who is actually hunting with his 25ACP and believing it as sufficient for deer hunting.

Sure wish they states would open the BP season to handguns or even just revolvers.

I never minded the caliber and barrel restrictions although some states made it "difficult" with foot pounds rather than simply requiring a minimum caliber of 357 mag and a 4" barrel. Folks are carrying snubbies now although not normally for their primary gun.

That's been an argument that I've heard from game depts. before and I'm not sure I believe it and I certainly don't believe it occurs with a frequency that needs to have a rule to prevent it.

Colorado has a four inch minimum barrel length for a hunting handgun as of the 2013 Big Game Hunting Brochure.

Is that a recent change?

I think KY has a restriction of 6" for hunting elk. I don't know if it extends to other species.

Thanks i need that although i will hold a personal restriction to 357 and 5.5 for sure clean kill.

No Rod; has alway been that way. I should have said "Colorado still..."

Ya, it was a law way back when I lived there Gregg.

What I was thinking was 6" or longer minimum for deer. It came up in a discussion whether a 4" gun would be legal, and MD was the only state on the chart that you couldn't use it, IIRC. There are some with 4" minimums. Sorry for the confusion.

Ky does have a restriction for elk but for deer it is any centerfire and no barrel length restriction.

I shot a big buck with an 8 3/8" Model 29 but it was just too big to comfortably carry all day. I now use a 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk. I find the shorter barrel much easier to carry, on the hip, on the chest or under the arm. It's also easier to draw, it points/aims well and is very well balanced. I don't see that the reduced velocity (if there actually is any)will ever come into play for what I hunt. I sold the 8 3/8 M29 and now use the SBH or a 4" M29, both are handy, relatively light weight guns with plenty of power.

The main drawback with short barrel guns is the shorter sight radius. It does make it harder to shoot as accurately as we do with the longer sight radius. Even a small error in sight alignment gets big quick equaling a miss or bad hit. Yes you do lose some velocity ,but the sight radius is the main drawback. If you want to be proficient and stay on top of your game with the short barrels you have to practice more ,which is a good thing!!!!!

I own a 10.5 sbh and i love it. The shortest barrel for me would be 5.5 colt 45 my son shoots. I love my trooper in 6 inch

I wouldnt go under 5.5 not for hunting anyway.. Id love to get my hands on a 460v s&w!

I would say it depends on what I'm hunting. I've shot rabbits with a colt detective special (38special SWC) which has a 3 inch barrel, but I was always within 30 yards or so. I have intentions on taking a few whitetails this season with a vaquero 45colt with a 3 3/4" barrel. Both of these guns have fixed sights and I enjoy working up loads which shoots to point of aim. It is a challenge and can be very rewarding, practice is a must. I would say only concern is a longer range shot I would feel better about shooting at 70 yards with a 7 1/2" barrel than shorter, unless it had a scope. In my opinion a scope would set you back into the rifle category.

Like how you put that...more practice ,ie. range time , shouldn't be viewed as a deal breaker.

That goes away if you use a red dot or a scope, of course I can't imagine a scope on my 4 inch Blackhawk, but maybe a Burris Fastfire.

I love my short barrel open sight guns but view them as 60 yd and under guns and finishers .By finishers I mean they are always in my hand when I walk up on down game. The P.H'S in Africa say its the ones that you think are d.r.t. that get you so I don't take chances. If they have their eyes closed or head up I shoot again,quick! A Fastfire or red dot would help in distance shooting but I carry other guns for that. It also would just ruin the looks of my 4 5/8 th barrel [for me].Your mileage may vary [Whitworth]

Personally, like it has been said in multiple ways, what is its main purpose while YOU hunt. I don't like carrying a 7.5 or 9in barreled gun in a holster on my hip when it is not my primary. But I love my 4 5/8ths SBH and 5in SRH!! And they shoot. They all serve a purpose, and we all have different needs.

Duane

I haven't tried my 9 1/2 inch 480 Ruger Super Redhawk at 250 yards and compared it to a 4 inch S&W Mountain Gun but it would be interesting. A 5 to 6.5 inch is my habitual choice. The Ruger Old Army 7 1/2 inch is 100 yard accurate, just not 100 yard powerful. Confidence and practice as well as adequate terminal ballistics affect my choice of barrel length. Funny thing is I never hunt with my 10 inch Contender .44 Mag but tell everyone who will listen the first shot is the best shot. I love to hunt with revolvers and gain confidence with 4 or 5 insurance shells but use whatever is legal / ethical. Hunting accuracy is 100% heart-lung shots, not head/neck "dead or miss" for me.

For me Its a matter of the distance I plan to shoot. I would be fine with a 4" revolver in thick cover or a stand where I am shooting 30 yards or less. from 30 to 50 I would prefer 6" or longer. Over 50 yards I would opt for a scope.