Barrel length for handgun hunting?

[knight0334]

You'll probably lose/gain 20 to 50 fps per inch. That is about what most cartridges lose/gain.

If you'll be using iron sights, the longer barrel will provide a longer sight radius, which will be more accurate because of that. If you'll be using some sort of optics, then the longer barrel will only give you a few more feet per second. ...and with a 500S&W, it really isn't needed.

[24/7dude]

You'll probably lose/gain 20 to 50 fps per inch. That is about what most cartridges lose/gain.

If you'll be using iron sights, the longer barrel will provide a longer sight radius, which will be more accurate because of that. If you'll be using some sort of optics, then the longer barrel will only give you a few more feet per second. ...and with a 500S&W, it really isn't needed.

Didn't know that, thanks for the info ��

[24/7dude]

You'll probably lose/gain 20 to 50 fps per inch. That is about what most cartridges lose/gain.

If you'll be using iron sights, the longer barrel will provide a longer sight radius, which will be more accurate because of that. If you'll be using some sort of optics, then the longer barrel will only give you a few more feet per second. ...and with a 500S&W, it really isn't needed.

Didn't know that, thanks for the info 👍

[Steve in PA]

Well, I*ve been handgun hunting for 25+ years and hunt with a variety of handguns;

7.5* Super Blackhawk.44 Magnum (Burris Fastfire because I can*t see the front sight! lol)
9.5* Super Redhawk .44 Magnum (scoped)
14* T/C Contenders in .44 Magnum and 7-30 Waters (both scoped)

I use a Primos Trigger Stick, especially with the longer barrels. The scoped handguns are sighted in at 100 yards, the SBH is sighted in at 50 yards.

The longer barreled handguns need a good rest to be accurate at distance. Using the trigger stick or sitting and using my knees. The shorter SBH is quick handling and I have shoot respectable groups at 100 yards.

The 7.5* is plenty long enough as long as you do your part. I use this handgun when pussyfooting around the woods and the longer barreled handguns when I*ll be sitting on stands most of the day.

[abner13]

First try shooting that hand-cannon at a 6in target at 100yds. If ya can't hit it consistantly , ya probably shouldn't be shooting at deer with it.

[98Redline]

I have a number of 7 1/2" barreled guns and while most are tack drivers I find that they all are a bit nose heavy.
The longer sight radius of the longer barrel is good if you are shooting irons but once you add the optic the only benefit is a bit of extra velocity, which on the 500 is really not going to make that much difference at longer ranges.

IMHO my 5 1/2" Redhawk and 6.25" BFR balance just about perfectly without giving up so much barrel length that velocity suffers.
I have shot the X-Frame guns in 500 S&W and feel that even in the 7 1/2" length they just don't balance well when shot offhand.

[pa350z]

6" barrel using .357 is the minimum I would use. Grandfather took many a buck with his Colt Trooper MKIII, I witnessed and had to drag out the deer back in the day for him!

[rich e]

I agree PA350z but one co-worker of mine hunts out of tree stands and gets his deer every year with a 4inch GP100. He swears by the 180 grainers. I bought my dad a blued Taurus 66 6inch back in the 90s when i was stationed at Bragg. He's taken at least three deer that I know of with that.

[gghbi]

I agree PA350z but one co-worker of mine hunts out of tree stands and gets his deer every year with a 4inch GP100. He swears by the 180 grainers. I bought my dad a blued Taurus 66 6inch back in the 90s when i was stationed at Bragg. He's taken at least three deer that I know of with that.

If you limit the range, and are very practiced, I can see the shorter barrel working, but I like having a bit of margin to work with so I also agree the six incher (or more) is the way to go.