44 mag Handgun Barrel length?

petrey10 · 01-31-2007, 11:21 AM

Is the longer the better? or is there over kill? What brand is the best for the 44 mag.....I will be hunting Whitetails with this gun.

demoIL · 01-31-2007, 11:28 AM

I have the 8+ inch bbl and I like the balance, but mine is also the half lug.. I think the full lug might feel good in the six in.bbl... As far as velocity and all that you might gain a tad bit more from a longer bbl but I think the most important thing is what "feels" the best...

HEAD0001 · 01-31-2007, 11:33 AM

IMO 6 to 8 inch is optimal. Buy a S&W like the one below. It will last you a life time, and it will not let you down. Tom.

James B · 01-31-2007, 11:38 AM

If you mean revolvers, I think eight -10 inches is about the best balance between portability and efficiency. 44 Mag rifles usuall have 20-22 inch barrels. When I shoot loads in my revolver that reach 1400 fps, that same load in my Marlin will shoot about 100-150 fps faster.

petrey10 · 01-31-2007, 11:49 AM

head what model is that S&W i haven't seen that finish before... did you do that yourself??

HEAD0001 · 01-31-2007, 11:54 AM

It is a Performance Center Stealth Hunter. The finish is Teflon. It cloverleafs at 50 yards. And it shoots 1 1/2 to 2 inches at 100 yards. Tom.

01-31-2007, 12:48 PM

I believe 8" is optimal. That said, I have a performance model 460 with 10.5" barrel. And feel it may be too much.

petrey10 · 01-31-2007, 01:10 PM

so if i am deciding between 8 5/8 inch and 7.5 inch which one???

01-31-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: petrey10

so if i am deciding between 8 5/8 inch and 7.5 inch which one???

Here is my advise. I picked out a 10.5". It felt great unscoped. Scoped, its way too front heavy. Consider that when holding. I wouldn't mind to have this one instead.