SW 44 Mag Hunter barrel length

[James E Thompson]

I would like to know if other barrels are available. The barrel length for my gun is 6 1/2". By the time I put on the nikon dot scope it has weighted down the front of the gun substantually. A shorter barrel may compensate for the weight and help the balance. What length barrels are available? If I went shorter would it change the performance of the gun. I hunt elk with the gun and want to keep it usable.

----jim

[44man]

I would stay with it. I prefer 7-1/2" for all mine but my old SBH, IHMSA gun is 10-1/2". It IS barrel heavy even with opens and is crazy with the Ultra Dot but has killed so many deer it is crazy. I don't notice it in the field at all.
Once at 6" and over, loads are easy to work.
I need the shoulder holster of course but it is still better then a rifle. Another love is the SRH with a 10" barrel.
My BFR with the long barrel in 45-70 is something you need to shoot. WOW!
The Hunter is a fantastic gun, leave it alone. I love that rib on the barrel.
Go hunting.

[James E Thompson]

I've hunted two seasons with the gun and never even shot at an elk. Idaho hunting where I've been should have used a rifle. This year I have a different place to hunt so may be better. I use the shoulder holster and like you find it to be easier to carry than a rifle. The gun shoots well and can get fair cluster of 2" at 50'. I figure that's good enough for the girls I go with. Guess I will leave the gun as is and just spend more time in the hunt.

[Thumbcocker]

I am not sure I understand your question. If you are talking about a Ruger hunter model revolver then the barrel length is 7.5" as they come from the factory. A gunsmith could shorten one but mine shoots so well I don't want to mess with it. I have never hunted elk but have put a fair pile of venison in the freezer with .44 revolvers (nowhere near what .44 Man and other on this forum have). I don't use a red dot so I can't speak to that. I have cleanly taken deer with .44 revolvers with barrels from 4 5/8" to 7.5" and could not really tell any difference in real world performance. That said the 7 1/2" barrels are very much easier for me to shoot well with under field conditions. My favorite revolver is a 5 1/2" .44 that is the ideal compromise for me in the area I hunt. When I am out to fill a tag though I reach for a 7 1/2 .44.


Hope this makes some sense.

[James E Thompson]

Thumbcocker,

The handgun is a SW (Smith and Wesson) model Hunter-Plus. This one came with a 6 1/2" barrel. I've scoped it with a Nikon red dot. It's a nice gun, just a little nose heavy.

[44man]

The weight and long barrel damps out a lot of shakes while reducing recoil too. You will get used to it. I know what it is like when the barrel starts to drag down and my strength is going away with age but I still love a longer barrel, just need a brace more.

[James E Thompson]

44man,

Don't notice the weight when hunting, mostly at the range. I second the motion on age. I'm not getting any younger or stronger.

[44man]

You will do good. Wonderful gun. I did not know it was a S&W but they are deadly accurate.

[SweetMk]

Get this,,,:

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h332/sweetmk22/guns/Dec%202013/629-3Inch_zps7373e9be.jpg

[44man]

Dang nice, But I want more barrel.

[tdoyka]

i got this one coming but it has stainless.....
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/70177.jpg
ruger super blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel. i only hunt deer with it out to around 50 yards.

i used to use a ruger super redhawk with a 7.5" barrel, but since i can no longer use my right arm i figure i can go with a 4 5/8" 44 mag/sp barrel.

[pbcaster45]

I just got an Ultra Dot for my BFR .475 Linebaugh but I couldn't find the screws for the base (D'Oh!). I decided to put it on my S&W 629 instead. I used a Weigand Base and Burris 30mm Signature Zee Rings. The balance does feel different, but not bad...

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/SampW%20629%20with%20Ultra%20Dot.jpg

[Ramjet-SS]

You could use a Burris Fast Fire or Trijicon red dot. They are small and light weight and if mounted to the rear have little influence on the balance of the gun they are mounted on.

[joatmon]

tdoyka, Nice gun - wish my SBH had the round trigger guard.
Aaron

[rintinglen]

I am not sure I understand your question. If you are talking about a Ruger hunter model revolver then the barrel length is 7.5" as they come from the factory. A gunsmith could shorten one but mine shoots so well I don't want to mess with it. I have never hunted elk but have put a fair pile of venison in the freezer with .44 revolvers (nowhere near what .44 Man and other on this forum have). I don't use a red dot so I can't speak to that. I have cleanly taken deer with .44 revolvers with barrels from 4 5/8" to 7.5" and could not really tell any difference in real world performance. That said the 7 1/2" barrels are very much easier for me to shoot well with under field conditions. My favorite revolver is a 5 1/2" .44 that is the ideal compromise for me in the area I hunt. When I am out to fill a tag though I reach for a 7 1/2 .44.


Hope this makes some sense.
What he said, save that my favorite single action is a 4 5/8 Ruger Flat top 44 sp. I hunt with either an 8.375 inch S&W or a 7.5 inch Ruger. Old eyes need all the help I can give them.