I WILL ADDRESS REVOLVERS, WHAT I KNOW BEST. PRACTICAL TO ME MEANS EASY ENUFF TO CARRY AND AIM OFF HAND WITH, PLUS NOT BE SO LONG THAT YOU START BANGING BLIND WALLS OR GET CAUGHT UP IN THE BRUSH WITH. MY LONGEST BARRELED REVOLVER IS A FA 454 WITH A 12 INCH BARREL, WHICH I USED ON SAFARI IN 2009 AND TOOK A LEOPARD AND CAPE BUFFALO WITH. IT WAS PRACTICAL AND SHOOTS GREAT. I AM WORKING UP SOME TOP END LOADS FOR IT, USING THE BARNES 265 A-FRAME, FOR THIS COMING DEER SEASON. I HAVE ALSO HUNTED EXTENSIVELY WITH A 10 INCHER AND A COUPLE OF 8 3/8ths INCHERS, AND THEY ARE ALL PRACTICAL. HAVE NOT USED ANYTHING LONGER IN REVOLVERS BUT AM THINKING THAT BEYOND 12 INCHES PRACTICALITY MAY SUFFER.