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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,687 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,687 Likes: 9 |
4” are handy - 6” win on sighting radius and a tad more velocity.
Anyone prefer the 6 for carry in the woods either as a sidearm or primary deer or hog getter?
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 638 Likes: 4
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 638 Likes: 4 |
Four inch for a trail gun, six inch for hunting.
"The difference between adventure and disaster is preparation"
"Dangerous Game Hunting........because golf, football and baseball only require one ball"
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1 member likes this:
AZtwins |
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,762 Likes: 77
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,762 Likes: 77 |
Defense…..3” to 5”. Hunting…. 8”. memtb
Last edited by memtb; 11/13/24.
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
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 608 Likes: 14
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 608 Likes: 14 |
One of my absolute favorites is 2.5”. A couple others are 3”. several at 4”. One at 5”.
Which is to say I believe it is very much personal preference with many right answers and height would be a huge factor. I’m 5’8” & more than 6” revolvers start to feel like drawing a saber.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,634 Likes: 13
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,634 Likes: 13 |
just take and wear your earpro, the 357 in the woods is deafening. I would opt for a 6 inch barrel myself, and shoot 38's.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68,939 Likes: 169
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 68,939 Likes: 169 |
I find the 6 inch barrel more than optimum for woods carry if just out hiking. Frankly, I don't often choose a .357 Mag for a woods revolver.
Sam......
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,984 Likes: 30
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,984 Likes: 30 |
Favorite is the 3" S&W 60-10 with .38-44 High Speed .38 Special loads.
158 hardcast or HP in the 1050-1100 fps range.
Anything bigger or big game hunting I go to .41 or 10mm...
Bob
If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,071 Likes: 18
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,071 Likes: 18 |
I carried a S &W K-19 with a 6” barrel in a cross draw holster. I’m right handed. Works well while riding ATVs. I usually had cast bullets/reloads for 38 Special. Cheap and great for snakes, armadillos and other varmints. I now have a chest holster (cheap nylon 45 tanker type).During deer season I would switch to jacketed hollow points in 357 magnum.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,156 Likes: 57
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 3,156 Likes: 57 |
4 inch is my preference in 357, 41 and 44
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,350 Likes: 77
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,350 Likes: 77 |
What I consider perfect is a 4 " Ruger Security Six in .357 mag loaded with 158 gr cast in a .357 case, but 38 sp loads. About 4.5 gr of W231, Universal Clays or Unique. Keep a couple of full .357 loads and shot shells handy in an ammo belt pack.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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1 member likes this:
Cariboujack |
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,567 Likes: 24
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,567 Likes: 24 |
4" in 357, and in general for revolvers for me. A four-incher is actually closer to 6" in semi-auto measurement style, where it's measured from the firing pin. In any case, a handgun should be handy, not some 4lb metal anchor on your belt. 4" barrel gets you about 6.5" sight radius, plenty enough for accuracy.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,152 Likes: 54
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,152 Likes: 54 |
Four inch for a trail gun, six inch for hunting. That works for me too.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,152 Likes: 54
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,152 Likes: 54 |
I find the 6 inch barrel more than optimum for woods carry if just out hiking. Frankly, I don't often choose a .357 Mag for a woods revolver. Just curious, why not a .357 for your woods roaming?
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,354 Likes: 454
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,354 Likes: 454 |
just take and wear your earpro, the 357 in the woods is deafening. I would opt for a 6 inch barrel myself, and shoot 38's. My ears are still ringing from shooting a snowshoe hare with a 6" GP100 357 over 2 decades ago.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,587 Likes: 121
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,587 Likes: 121 |
Favorite is the 3" S&W 60-10 with .38-44 High Speed .38 Special loads.
158 hardcast or HP in the 1050-1100 fps range.
Anything bigger or big game hunting I go to .41 or 10mm...
Bob Same here.
NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,327 Likes: 125
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,327 Likes: 125 |
65BR: I have never Hunted big game with pistols but do carry 357 pistols sometimes when afield Hunting Varmints, small game, grouse etc.
I prefer my 6" Smith & Wesson Model 66 for this - I just shoot it better with the longer barrel.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,221
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,221 |
I like 4” revolvers for general purpose and woods pistols. I don’t mind the 8 3/8” for hunting specifically.
The land of the free because of the brave.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,065 Likes: 34
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,065 Likes: 34 |
Four inch for a trail gun, six inch for hunting. this, although a 6 inch with cross draw or should holster would work fine for woods walking
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,379 Likes: 77
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,379 Likes: 77 |
4" for just knocking around the woods. 6" for hunting.
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,687 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,687 Likes: 9 |
Enjoyed the replies folks, thanks.
You folks who have taken deer and hogs, do you have faves? Thanks for sharing.
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