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Old October 17, 2011, 08:33 AM   #1
JustinNC
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Super Blackhawk 5.5"

Anybody deer hunt with a SBH 44mag with a 5.5" barrel?

I used to have a Super Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel but had a 2x Leupold scope.

Local laws do allow for a 5.5" barrel.

My main question is, is the shorter sight radius that much more of a handicap than say that of a 7.5" barrel? I know range and accuracy are all in how much you practice, but I'm sure not all proficient shooters can shoot a 7.5" and a 5.5" gun with the same accuracy.
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Old October 17, 2011, 08:46 AM   #2
Art Eatman
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All I can tell you is, "Go shoot!" My criterion for rifle or pistol is that distance at which you can reliably hit the end of a beer can from a field position.

There should be adequate velocity from the 5.5" barrel to ruin Bambi's day at the probable limit for your "hit skill".
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Old October 17, 2011, 08:58 AM   #3
JustinNC
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Yeah, in the past, Ive limited myself to pretty much bow hunting conditions as far as handgun hunting goes. I was hell on wheels from the bench, but I knew better than that during actual hunting conditions.
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Old October 17, 2011, 12:08 PM   #4
shootniron
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At normal open sight distances the 5.5" barrel will be fine as long as you can shoot it accurately.
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Old October 18, 2011, 12:46 PM   #5
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I've got two 5.5's in 44Spl. and 45LC. I can shoot them just as well as my 7.5 44 and 41mags. The two inch reduction is much more comfortable in my El Paso cross draw. I can sit in a truck, atv, or stand without having to shift the shorter. I'll be having the 7.5s cut to 5.5.
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Old October 19, 2011, 08:23 AM   #6
JustinNC
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Well I ended up trading for a near new condition 1971 made Super Redhawk with a 7.5" barrel. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I can always sell/trade/have it chopped down if I don't like it.
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Old October 19, 2011, 08:35 AM   #7
Daryl
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I hunt with a 4 5/8th barreled Vaquero. The only handicap is one's own shooting skills with the gun they choose.

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Old October 19, 2011, 12:52 PM   #8
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Quote:
hit the end of a beer can
Preferably empty, no need to waste the suds.

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Old October 19, 2011, 02:04 PM   #9
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That's called minute-of-beer-can accuracy!
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Old October 19, 2011, 05:36 PM   #10
Clifford L. Hughes
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JustinNC:

My Super Black Hawk has a 4 5/8 inch barrel that has been Magna Ported and the forcing cone recut. I never hunted with it, but the way it smasses rocks at fifty yards and slams steel targets makes me believe that it is more than adequate for deer and black beat.

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Old October 19, 2011, 05:38 PM   #11
PawPaw
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clifford L. Hughes
makes me believe that it is more than adequate for deer and black beat
I've never shot a black beat, but I bet that it would hammer a black bear.
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