Author Topic: 4" or 6" Barrel?? (Read 2752 times)

Leatherstocking · « **on:** February 06, 2006, 03:43:21 PM »

I will soon be getting my first handgun :-D and I think I have settled on the Ruger GP100 357magnum. I want something that is versatile, that I can use for deer hunting as well as something I can carry on hiking trips, etc. Do I need the 6" barrel, or will a 4" suffice for hunting? I figure the 4" would certainly be more comfortable to carry. I don't want to sacrifice accuracy, but I'm thinking that within its range, perhaps there isn't that much difference between the 4 and 6" anyway. Thanks!

223Shooter · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2006, 04:20:04 PM »

The 6" would be my choice......

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2006, 05:50:32 PM »

Leatherstocking

"but I'm thinking that within its range, perhaps there isn't that much difference between the 4 and 6" anyway."

Not quite the case. There is considerable practical difference in accuracy and velocity between 4" and 6" barrels which is important if one is considering hunting deer with the .357. The increase in sight radius increases your accuracy with the revolver. The 6" barrel allows sufficient velocity for 140-158 SPs to expand effectively in deer. It also allows a hard cast bullet of 150-170 gr to better kill. With a good high riding belt holster the 6" is just as easy to carry as the 4". There is also a bit better balance with the longer barrel.

Larry Gibson

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2006, 01:31:23 AM »

Leatherstocking, first off welcome to Graybeard.

Second check your local laws and see what the barrel length restriction is. Either the 4 or 6 would work, I prefer the 6 inch myself.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:06:46 AM »

Leatherstocking - welcome to Graybeard Outdoors and to the forum. You will want at least a 4" bbl for hunting and field carry in New York State. I cannot recall if there is a barrel length limit on revolvers carried for hunting but I believe there is a caliber limit, with a 35 caliber being minimal - I could be wrong, especially with the Encore/Contender calibers available.

The 357 Magnum is a good choice for field carry in NYS. You can easily take Whitetail to 50-75 yds with that caliber handgun. For years I carried a 6" S&W N frame but decided for a shorter barrel after wearing a hole in my hip for 20 something years. I sent mine back to S&W for a 4" bbl and wound up with a 3.5" instead. I use and hunt with 200 gn semi-wadcutters only and they do a heck of a job to 50 yds and better as long as I place the shot where it counts.

If you do not reload then I would still opt for the 4" but carry 170-180 gn factory fodder. The 158 gn will do well for you but you would need to practice placing your shots for maximum effect. You should not be sacrificing any accuracy with a 4" bbl - heck, I used to shoot silhouette to 200 yds with a 4" S&W Model 19 (but that was with heavy loads). As for the range - within your personal limitations for handgun hunting there may not be much difference between a 4 and 6" bbl and once you can shoot that revolver and hit where you want then you should be able to decide if you want to go with a longer barrel or stick with the 4 incher. HTH. Mikey.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2006, 03:07:24 PM »

So it sounds like a 3-1 vote in favor of the six inch. That's how I was leaning until one friend suggested I think about a 4"bbl. Another guy I work with is a gun dealer and he has offered to let me handle and shoot several of his - I think I will take advantage of that offer before I buy. Thanks for all of the excellent advice. I have a little time before the permit comes in (unfortunately

).

Blammer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2006, 03:36:34 PM »

some states require a minimum barrel length for hunting.

IE NC, requires a 6 inch brl...

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2006, 04:59:19 PM »

Leatherstocking

I will side with your friend and tie the vote @ 3&3. Reason being is a new Birds head Vaquero with the 4" that I recieved just three weeks ago.
This new gun shot so well that I only fired a couple shots at 25yds before quickly moving to 35 then 45yds.

My main point is that I found no problems with the sight picture and accuracy of this piece. I was familar with the Vaquero sight picture as I have been shooting a 7-1/2" for the last three years.
I will hunt in 2006 with the longer barrel but just wanted to let you know that if you like the 4" go for it.

Gregory · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:10:59 PM »

If this will be your primary deer hunting gun I'd vote for the 6". If it will be an occasional or backup deer gun and used primarily for hiking, I'd vote for the 4" barrel.

You'll find that for hiking purposes you will tend to leave the 6" barrel at home more often than not, they are heavier and don't pack well.

I used to carry a 4" Model 66 with me in the Catskills when I lived there. But I hunted deer with either a rifle or TC Contender handgun. A 4" in a shoulder holster packs well. But I even downsized to a 2" 38 Spec. for backwoods fishing trips.

PaulS · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:34:12 PM »

Well, I carry a Ruger concealed, when packing, and hunting. Mine is 6 inches and I have even fired it in competition (hunters pistol) I find it a big difference from the 4 inch that it replaced and would never go back. I had to make my own leather for it to carry concealed but it is a strong-hand pancake that keeps the gun high enough that it doesn't show and low enough to draw when I need it.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2006, 05:55:05 PM »

The 6" is much better for deer hunting, an 8" would be even better for hunting for the same reasons a 6 is better than a 4. Buy a 4" for compact carry and an 8 or 6 for hunting. Maybe a good reason to buy 2 guns!

Feldhege · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2006, 06:17:41 AM »

How about a good used Dan Wesson in .357? I bought my .44 with a 4 and 8" barrel for around $375. You should be able to have the best of both worlds. My .357 (had it since I was a kid) has 4,6, and 8 inch barrels with it so I can use it for anything.

Robb

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:34:52 PM »

Thanks again guys. I guess I'll just have to handle and shoot a couple and see how they feel for me.

Hey Cheesehead,
What's the weather like in NW Wisconsin these days? I'll be heading there on business in a couple of weeks. I've never been in that part of the country and I am really looking forward to it.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2006, 04:28:47 PM »

The weather is fluctuating alot lately. It is -12 right now and heading for -24 later this evening, a predicted wind chill of over -40. Like me and my huntin buddies say, " This is no place for cry babies".

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2006, 02:45:07 AM »

Ouch!! I'll be prepared. I fly into Minneapolis/St Paul and will be heading to the Eau Claire, WI area.

We have had those fluctuating temps also. Was 55 yesterday and is supposed to go down to 2 tonight

poncaguy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2006, 04:01:09 AM »

I have the 6" SS GP 100 357. my 2nd DA revolver, really like it. Going to get a 4" for easier carry, use the 6" to hunt. Have an 8" Dan Wesson 357, has a great DA trigger, but not as accurate as the GP100.

ms · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2006, 10:42:27 AM »

I have a 4inch gp100 I had a action job and the barrel ported by Magna port. They are good guns get the 6 inch if you are going to hunt with it. I use my 357 for home protection. :lol:

Camel 23 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2006, 03:48:52 PM »

Take your buddy up on his offer and handle as many different guns as you can before you make your decission. Everybody has their own preferrence but they aren't buying the gun you are. After shooting the guns you'll know which one to buy. Both have pros and cons and thats why there are so many choices on the market. You are lucky to have the option to shoot some different models before you make a purchase. Nothing is worse than buying a new gun and then thinking maybe I should have bought the other one.

gldprimr · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2006, 04:57:13 PM »

Quote from: Leatherstocking

I will soon be getting my first handgun :-D and I think I have settled on the Ruger GP100 357magnum. I want something that is versatile, that I can use for deer hunting as well as something I can carry on hiking trips, etc. Do I need the 6" barrel, or will a 4" suffice for hunting? I figure the 4" would certainly be more comfortable to carry. I don't want to sacrifice accuracy, but I'm thinking that within its range, perhaps there isn't that much difference between the 4 and 6" anyway. Thanks!

I carry a 5" 629 while hiking and scouting for deer and turkey. I really don't care for the 6" bbl revolvers as when I carry them in a hip holster and sit down, they bump the ground. I'm not all that tall a fellow (5'9") so that may not be a problem for you. I have also found that the 5" is quite accurate enough to 75 yards for deer hunting - most of my shots are at ~ 40 yards. I'd encourage you to check out both, not just for shooting, but ease of carry in whatever type of field holster you think you'll use while hunting.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2006, 12:49:31 PM »

Actually I am even shorter (5'8")!! So that's a good point - I hadn't thought about it.

mg66 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2006, 01:45:10 AM »

I use a Dan Wesson Model 15 357 6" (originally had a 4"). I just purchased a M66SS6 also. Both of these and my M44SS6 I carry in a shoulder holster. I find a shoulder holster a lot easier and more comfortable. Then again being 6'4" I dont think I would have the problems as described above.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2006, 02:36:49 AM »

leatherstoking

I have had booth and consider the 4" to be much easier to pack, I can't tell any difference in the two as far as hunting goes. There is quite a bit of difference in the ease of opperation though with the 4" you will be able to move about with out getting tangled up in what ever you are doing. Good luck with which ever one you pick

..........Joe.............

ratgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** April 09, 2006, 06:38:29 AM »

There was a short run of 5" GP-100's if you can find one and a holster?Now you can really be perplexed. :grin:

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #23 on:** April 09, 2006, 01:13:20 PM »

Quote

some states require a minimum barrel length for hunting.

IE NC, requires a 6 inch brl...

I think NC dropped that regulation. The only requirement now is that the pistol not be less than .24 caliber. Even the power thresholds have been dropped.

I regularly hunt with my 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 Colt. It kills then just as dead as the 7.5" one.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #24 on:** April 09, 2006, 04:05:31 PM »

Ratgunner - That 5" sounds like it would be a good compromise. However, beyond that, I am even more perplexed lately because several guys I work with are talking me out of the .357 altogether!! They say all I'll be doing is tracking deer and that I should go with a .44 mag. :?
I just don't know if I want something that big, especially for a first gun.

Archblackmage · « **Reply #25 on:** April 09, 2006, 04:36:33 PM »

my 357mag 2,4,6,8" barrel revolver dan wesson pack that I found on gun broker, gun america, or auction arms would be a good option for someone who doesn't know what barrel length they want to have and they want the strength of a dan wesson or a ruger.

NYH1 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 18, 2006, 03:22:34 PM »

There is no minimum barrel length requirement for handgun hunting in New York State. There are however some maximum requirements. 16 inches for non-auto's and 8 inches is the maximum for auto's. All center fire handgun cartridges are legal for big game hunting. DEC link. :grin:

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2006, 03:52:41 PM »

Well, I did it.............decided on the 6" Ruger GP 100. I got my permit a few weeks ago (only took ~ 3months!!), and now I've got the gun. Shot it last weekend and it is truly awesome :grin:

I got a vertical shoulder holster for it and it feels very comfortable so far. Thanks to all for all the advice!!

poncaguy · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2006, 04:53:49 PM »

You made an excellent choce!

musicman10_1 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 23, 2006, 06:52:15 PM »

Good choice. I just purchased a GP100 in 4" and really like how it carries in a holster. Great gun so far.