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Barrel Length Opinions #210452 04/20/2021 11:36 PM
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cshe091 Offline OP
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I know there are probably 100x the number of opinions as there are barrel length options, but I'd be curious to know what everyone thinks. I'm looking to get back into the handgun hunting game. I previously had a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Magnum. These have a 7.5" barrel. It was just too unwieldy for me. It always seemed that it was too long to be comfortable to carry, or use comfortably (for me). I've recently started my search for the next gun to hunt with. I've been looking at Blackhawks with 5.5" and 6.5" barrels. I recently fired one that had a 4 5/8" barrel, and really liked the balance of it. I know that the longer barrel length has a longer sight radius and helps with accuracy, but based on real world experience of everyone, is 4 5/8" too short to regularly hope to hunt with? Most of my shots are less than 30 yards. I'm looking at either .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, or .454 Casull (to shoot .45 Colt). Opinions? Thanks in advance.

Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: cshe091] #210462 04/21/2021 4:51 PM
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Ernie Offline
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30 yards or less....No problem with 4 5/8" barrel.
Any of those cartridges easily kill deer at that distance with a 5.5" barrel length-Go kill stuff!


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: Ernie] #210469 04/21/2021 8:35 PM
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gunslingerdad Offline
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that is a fine barrel length for under 50 yards. if you are going to push out further. a longer barrel will help you out IMHO. any of those calibers will kill anything you are looking to hunt at those distances.


still Dave Thomas, just an alias so the gov't dont find me
;\)
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: gunslingerdad] #210473 04/22/2021 1:47 AM
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KRal Offline
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As long as you can shoot it accurately - pick your barrel length. Beware some states have stupid barrel length requirements.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: Ernie] #210477 04/22/2021 5:33 AM
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Zee Offline
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 Originally Posted By: Ernie
30 yards or less....No problem with 4 5/8" barrel.
Any of those cartridges easily kill deer at that distance with a 5.5" barrel length-Go kill stuff!


👆🏻


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: Zee] #210479 04/22/2021 11:26 AM
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jcp161 Offline
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What KRal said.

Ohio has a five inch minimum barrel length for deer. Not sure how they came up with that one.

John

Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: jcp161] #210481 04/22/2021 12:55 PM
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Memtb460 Offline
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With your likely shots @ around 30 yards, and your apparent comfort with the 4 5/8” barrel, get the 45 LC.....”go forth and slay game”! memtb


You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

~Molɔ̀ːn Lab? Sk?la~
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: Memtb460] #210510 04/25/2021 4:56 AM
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Vance in AK. Offline
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 Originally Posted By: Memtb460
With your likely shots @ around 30 yards, and your apparent comfort with the 4 5/8” barrel, get the 45 LC.....”go forth and slay game”! memtb


What he said!
And WELCOME to the forum!!!


Vance in AK.

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: Vance in AK.] #210511 04/25/2021 10:50 AM
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bluecow Offline
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It is the Indian not the arrow. If it's what lifts your skirt have at it.


Everything before "but" is B.S.
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: bluecow] #210513 04/25/2021 1:20 PM
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junebug Offline
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My most often carried revolver for deer is my 4 5/8th .45 Colt Ruger. It wears a red dot sight and is my 70 yd and in choice. I also carry a scoped something else, Contender or Striker for longer shots.


junebug
Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: cshe091] #210515 04/25/2021 4:03 PM
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Mech 8 Offline
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I know that everyone including the O.P. has mentioned single actions to this point, but I'm really fond of S&W "N" frames with the 6 or 6 1/2 inch "Classic" barrels. I bought my first M629-4 Classic with a 6 1/2 inch barrel several years ago and set it up with a Weigand mount and an Ultradot Matchdot. It turned out to be so easy to shoot, I ended up acquiring another M629 and a M657, all with the same barrel length and profile. Just my two cents.

Re: Barrel Length Opinions [Re: Mech 8] #210592 05/03/2021 2:35 PM
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Craig44 Offline
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It's really more about your ability to shoot than barrel length or the velocity it affects. For me, I hunted with 7.5" guns for years but later found that a 4 5/8" Bisley in my hands is like launching guided missiles. For whatever reason, they just work better for me. A lot of folks prefer a 5.5". IMHO, a 6" is perfect for a DA and I've threatened to have my SRH's cut to that length.


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