Ideal barrel length

[DGrig]

What would you say is the best HUNTING barrel length for a 44mag? 

I have a SRH in 9 1/2 inch barrel and looking to cut it down and crown it at Magnaport.  I have debated in my head everything from 6 to 8.  Will use it on whitetails out to 70 yards or so with a red dot sight on it.  Give me your opinions and why.

[DGrig]

Surely there are opinions on this...

[Catfish]

Your going about it all wrong. If you want a different barrel length you don`t cut off a barrel, you buy another gun.
Actually it`s more personal preference. I have 4 .44 mags. revolvers. Barrel length are 2 -4 in, 7 3/4 in. and 10 3/4 in. I like shooting them all. The 2 short ones are for ccw and the 2 longer ones are for hunting. I would recommend that you keep your barrel as long as you can and handle it easily off hand. If you start to strain when holding it, it`s to heavy.

[DGrig]

I appreciate the wisdom of just getting another gun.  The other side is that I would have Magnaport do a couple of other things to the gun I want done, and if I sold this one and got another the difference in cash gets me close to what it would cost Magnaport to do the one I have.  Is my logic screwed up here?

[DennisB]

No, your logic is OK, although like Catfish I'd find another "backup" .44. A fellow can't have too many Rugers.  Myself, I'm toying with cutting a 7.5 SBH down to 4-5/8 just because I like the shorter barrels and already have one or more BHs in 357, 41, and 45 Colt in that length.   But, in your situation, I'd think that using a red dot 44 out to 70 yards or so I'd lop the barrel no shorter than 5".  JMHO

[efremtags]

It depends on your hunting style really and choice of ammo.

I started out hunting with a 5" S&W 44 with open sights. It was a nice carry gun, but limited on longer shots or with heavier ammo.
I have since upgraded to a 6.5" barallel, but basically use it as a backup stand gun. I havn't scoped it as most of my shots are within bow range so accuracy is not an issue.

For stand hunting, a scoped 6.5" - 8" is very efficient. It is very portable and accurate out to 100 no prob. It can also be shot offhand if needed quickly at low or no power mag.

Longer than 8, the handiness is really limited, and off hand shots are out of the question. You basically treat the gun like a mini-rifle at that point.
Shoter than 6", you are really unnecessarily handi-capping yourself if it is your primary weapon. Muzzle blast is greater, velocity is diminished and range is limited.

My vote would be keep it in the 6.5 to 8" range. Scope it is you will sit more than walk.

[Mikey]

DGrig - My opinion - 4' barrel in 44 does everything I want it to do.  

Regarding your logic.  It is faulty.  Catfish is right, get another gun; can't have too many.  Barrel length however is really up to your individual preferences for handling and accuracy.  Your stated range was about 75 yds but I don't feel you need a 6-8" bbl for that distance.  I prefer the 4" length.  When I get into thick brush I want the shorter barrel.  

I used to be able to hit at 200m with a 4" bbl but today a 75 yd open field shot is max for me with open sights, and only with a perfect sight picture.  50-60 yds is about the longest shot I have taken recently and I have been comfortable shooting that distance.  Heavy bullets at easier speeds give me complete passthroughs.  

HTH.  Mikey.

[DGrig]

I actually have given thought to just getting another gun.  Sell the 9.5" and buy a 7.5" SRH.   I like a SRH and on the one I have I did a trigger job on it with a Wolff spring kit.  But as was said the thing rates low on the handiness scale, and with my going to a red dot the length is of no real advantage. 

[DCRthe3rd]

For hunting guns I favor no more than 6 inches , my SRH has a 7.5 incher only because I wanted the SRH and it was either 7.5 or 9.5 , and I see no reason to spend  $$$$ cutting my barrel down , had the SRH came with a 6 inch , then thats what I would've got.
I had a danny wesson with a 5 inch , 5 is nice to for my hunting gun length , but you just don't often see 5 inchers.

[MePlat]

There is no ideal barrel length.  It all centers around what YOU like and not what we other jaspers like.
I shoot anything from a SP101 to Encores with barrels 16 inches long probably 95 percent of the time offhand with scopes,  mostly with them set on the highest power they go to and short barrel 45 Colt Ruger 45 Colts and 44 Mag s with iron sights.
I, speaking for myself only, like shorter barrel guns.  I can tell no difference in practical accuracy with them.  My favorite on Double actions is 4 to 5 and 45/8's to 51/2 on single actions.
Go with whatever makes you feel confident and forget what others like.  It will be you using the gun not me and the rest of us.

[DGrig]

Thanks for the input.

[Ole Man Dan]

Chop em to 4.6" or 5.5" or 7.5"  I've got em all.  I love the short ones for 'Carry' and the longer ones for hunting.
If you get a good cross draw holster, you can carry the 7.5" easy.  For pure shooting joy, My favorite is the 7.5".  I like the way they balance.  I agree that the very long barrels get left at home more often than not...
I don't consider the 7.5" as anything except my personal favorite.  That said I've got a 4.6" that John Gallagher chopped, removed the Ruger 'Bible' and did an action job on that shoots right up there with my best 7.5" guns.  It's all in what you like. 
My 5.5" guns are a compromise that I've owned for quite a few years. 
If I had it to do all over, I would likely only have the 7.5s & 4.6s.  It might be because I've had some nice custom leather made for these guns.

[Old Griz]

All of our answers are just going to be personal preference. The actual "science" has little to offer. After seeing Bob Mulden hit small party balloons at 200 yards with a 2" .38 Special, it pretty well convinced me it's the shooter, not the gun that is the biggest factor. It just comes down to what do you want to carry, and what looks good to you. Magnaport may have something cosmetic to offer that really appeals to you, and if so, go for it. I only have one ported gun, and it came that way from the factory. There really isn't any need for it in a hunting gun, but some folks like it, so Magnaport stays in business, and everyone is happy! The length . . . again, what do you want to carry? The guns I hunt with range from 4" to 7.5". They're all gonna work. You can always go 6" and be in the middle. Not too short, not too long.

Let us know what you decide.