Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns What's the best barrel length for a hunting pistol.

I am planing on getting a 44 mag for deer and hog hunting. I want a Ruger Super Blackhawk but I am torn on which barrel length to get 5.5" or 7.5". I have seen some Blackhawks with a 6.5" barrel but they aren't in production anymore.

So what barrel length do you prefer for shots out to say 75 yards and under? Is a 5.5 accurate enough if I do my part or will I need the 7.5"?

I'd take a 5 1/2 over a 7 1/2 any day. I like from 4" to 6" max depending on the gun and caliber

If you are going to ambush hunt with a scope, like from a treeblind, the longer barrel will be an advantage. If you're gonna walk around and shoot irons, the 5.5 would be a lighter carry and work just fine. 300 gr hardcast and 18.5 of H110 is big medicine.
Since I live with Mr Griz this is what I pack (because it weighs 26 ounces)


An old picture. I now have a "tanker" style holster from El Paso Saddlery that is just a joy.
http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-96-14-1942-tanker-holster-5-12-to-8-38-barrels.aspx

In a hunting handgun using a .44 mag caliber I want that extra barrel length simply put, less recoil and less muzzle jump period. I have a model 29 Smith & Wesson and used it since the early 70's, great handgun for deer hunting.

Now if your wanting to conceal the weapon, well I use a shoulder holster under a light jacket, not as good perhaps as a 4 inch barrel but a lot easyier to control once you pull that trigger.

You do realize that at less than an ounce per inch there is no way to tell the difference in a 44 mag in recoil. At least I can't

+1, no real reason at all to go over 6".

MM

I shoot with iron sights (aperture in the rear, gold bead up front) and really like the greater sight radius that a longer barrel gives you. Someone else mentioned muzzle flip which is another benefit with hard kickers.

For dedicated hunting I might opt for the 7.5, even do for the Hunter so you can see if a scope is your cup of tea.

For more general carry and hunting I would go for the 5.5.

I have both (my 7.5 isn't a hunter) and I shoot different loads in each. In the 7.5 I shoot a pretty heavy jacketed load and I have used it mostly for hunting from stands.

In the 5.5 I shoot cast lead at about 1000fps. I use it for general woods carry (Bear, Black only where I live, two legged preditors, Deer and small game).

For me there is a very small difference in the range of the two, largely because I shoot the 5.5 much more because the light loads I have it set up for are much more pleasant (and cheaper)

Shooting out to 75 yards or so I'd give the priority to sight radius over handiness. Given the nature of hunting where things might happen fast, you might be a bit winded, all kinds of things - I'd go for whatever gave me more practical field accuracy over any increase in carryability 2" less barrel might give.

A 7 1/2" barrel isn't any harder to carry than a 5 1/2" IF you're walking. Getting in and out of vehicles, yeah, the shorter the better but the ultimate purpose is to make a clean, accurate shot.

The longer barrel will be a slight advantage as well if you have to make a moving shot.

I've had several .44 Mag's from 4" to 8 3/8", including a couple of Redhawks and Super Blackhawks each in 5 1/2 and at least six 7 1/2 inchers. For a pure hunting weapon the standard 7 1/2" SBH is a dandy firearm.

mine are 7.5 and are fine but 5.5 is alot more packable and practical in my opinion

I notice a difference between a 6.5 inch Smith 29 and the 8 3/8th's inch models as to recoil. That's because the muzzle jump/rise is less. Between the 4 inch and the longer barreled guns, the difference is much greater.
It's a trade off between how you need to carry and what you use for sights. With iron sights, longer is often better unless their is too much weight out on the barrel for steady holding. As a rule, if you are carrying with a shoulder holster, you can any lenth you want. On a belt holster in warm weather, a shorter barrel is alot easier to live with. E

I have a Rehawk with a 5.5, it works OK, but sometimes I'd like a bit more barrel. I don't know that I'd go 7.5 though, I'd have to see how it feels.

Dale

Eremicus.....Exactly why I said I like my .44 mag model 29 with 8 & 3/8 barrel. It carries just as easy in a shoulder holster with vertical hang. Drawing it quickly is no problem at all with a little practice.

Now I don't use a scope on this pistol and the longer sight radius is a big plus for anyone who has tried to hit their target at 75 yards or more. I been shooting and hunting with this pistol for over 45 years now and I know what it can do and also what a 4 or 6 inch .44mag will do and I want NO PART of a hunting pistol in the .44mag cal with a 4 inch barrel nor even the 6 inch barrel, just to much muzzle jump.