What would you regard as the minimum barrel length for a revolver for hunting deer?

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Hokkmike

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I am going buy a revolver. Probably a SA. I have determined that the caliber must be more than .357 for deer hunting. (I will primarily use my rifle) Next question for me is what length barrel? I do realize that longer is better for hunting, but I am wondering what the best acceptable minimum length might be?

What do you think?
 
Four inch minimum in Illinois.
I took deer with a 4" .357, and a 4⅝ .357.
I much prefer a 6" or 7½" barrel.
If you are carrying your revolver in addition to your hunting rifle, it is pretty hard to lay down a scoped rifle and draw a revolver to shoot a deer. Years ago, our season was handgun only. During that time, I finally migrated to this 7½" blackhawk in .45colt (my favorite big bore). I am minute of pie plate at 80yds with iron sights.
20160914_185037.jpg
 
Four inch minimum in Iowa as well. 6 to 8 inch is most practical IMO.
The larger heavier 44 and 45 bullets are considerably more effective than anything in .357.
 
5-inch was the minimum in Ohio.

Purely from a ballistic point of view 3-inch or longer, with good 357 Mag ammo, is sufficient for most deer assuming you can shoot straight. The longer barrel does help both the ballistics and the longer sight radius makes accuracy easier, assuming you're using iron sights.

My hunting revolvers are all 6.5 inch. 357 Mag, 10mm Auto, and 44 Mag.
 
There is another recent thread on barrel length and a lot of folks said 4" which surprised me. I would have assumed many would say 5"-7" barrel.

On that note I just bought a 4" S&W .44 mag for deer hunting and bear backup. Would have went with a longer barrel if it wasn't for the bear part and requiring easy, quick drawing.


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/does-barrel-length-matter.862515/
 
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4” is absolute minimum in any caliber simply to aid in shootability. I know a lot of guys who can hit with a shorter barrel, and I am one of them, but it just doesn’t make sense. Anything 4-6” is good and longer is nice but not necessary. Again, regardless of caliber.
 
Four inch minimum in Illinois.
I took deer with a 4" .357, and a 4⅝ .357.
I much prefer a 6" or 7½" barrel.
If you are carrying your revolver in addition to your hunting rifle, it is pretty hard to lay down a scoped rifle and draw a revolver to shoot a deer. Years ago, our season was handgun only. During that time, I finally migrated to this 7½" blackhawk in .45colt (my favorite big bore). I am minute of pie plate at 80yds with iron sights.
View attachment 887593

When Tennessee first enacted handgun hunting, I carried both a Ruger Super Blackhawk and a Marlin 336T .30-30. After the first day afield, I determined that it would be one or the other, but not both.

And as to barrel length, for me it was 6" minimum, but more often it was a 7 1/2" Single Action, and that a Ruger.

Bob Wright
 
Now days mostly a 4 5/8" Ruger SA 45 or 44 for deer. When I hunted moose, elk and other larger I used a 7.5" FA 454.
 
I'd be really happy if Ohio let me use a 4". As is, I've got to use a 5" which isn't exactly a common barrel length in alot of configurations. My Blackhawk is a 5.5" 45.

I've used a 6" and 5" 629's in the past. I'd be tickled pink if they let me use my 4" 625.
 
I took this buck at 50 yards with a 4” 629. Had I not had use of the red dot I don’t think I’d have taken the shot. I just don’t see the iron sights as well anymore. That said I really don’t care for optics on a revolver. For me it cheapens the experience. I’m going to use a revolver with a 6.5 inch barrel this season and keep my shots inside of bow ranges. For me that would be 35 yards or less. If I get enough practice in this summer and feel confident I might extend that a little.I'm hoping the longer sight radius of the 6.5 inch will help. 3AA6FB9C-9055-4D20-A46A-0910D6DAE6A5.jpeg
 
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