handgun hunting

[Nicodemus38]

long barrels are considered best for hunting because more barrel puts a longer sight radius so you can get better optimum accuracy.

now ive seen an article on an actual police shooting from the 1970s in which an officer used a 4 inch barrel revolver to bring a suspect down at 165 yards measured range.

Now if you have a 4 inch barreled revolver that shoots well for you with open sights, can you beat the supposed lack of accuracy as compared to a 6 or 8 inch barrel if you simply put a quality scope on it?

 

[22-rimfire]

With all things being equal, they all have equal accuracy whether it be a 2.5" snubbie, or a 9.5" hand cannon. The longer barrel is generally easier to aim, you get some extra velocity, and the extra weight may help you manage the recoil better. Yes, you can mount a scope on a 4" revolver if that is what you want to do. The key is shot placement.

I have hunted with a 4" revolver. It is generally my backup for shots of opportunity, but if you shoot it well, there is absolutely no reason not to use a 4" barreled revolver as long as it falls within any state DNR requirements for hunting.

 

[357 Terms]

If you are talking about the 357 mag (which I believe what was used in the shooting you mentioned) the longer barrel will give you more velocity. With a 4in barrel the effective range of a357 will be around 50 yards or so. Open sights should be fine at that range.

 

[Steve in PA]

If there is such an article on that police shooting, it was mere luck. Any idea what the bullet drop is with a .38 or .357 at 165 yards? Sighted dead on at 50 yds, its something like 40"+ drop.

The barrel length wold depend on your range. Were I using an open sighted handgun, I would go with a 4-6" barrel.

Personally, I hunt with a scoped 9 1/2" Ruger SRH.

 

[Buck Snort]

Steve in PA wrote: "If there is such an article on that police shooting, it was mere luck."

Mas Ayoob wrote up a story about a police officer who took down a perp with a 4" 357 at a measured distance of 173 yards. Maybe luck played a role but this guy was a dead eye shot.

 

[MCgunner]

I can group 5 shots into 3" at 200 yards from a rest with my scoped 10" Contender. It shoots 3" high at 100, 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, .30 caliber at 2100 fps MV. It gets the nod for most of my handgun hunting for deer and hogs. It has a 12" compensated barrel and a 2x fixed power scope.