Blackhawk barrel length

[a retrohillbilly]

Will be lugged in the mountains a bunch, a little stand hunting, have looked at a 5.5" and a 7.5" barrel. I know there will be some velocity difference, will there really be much accuracy difference at 40yds or so? Looking at a .41...help/advice/observations appreciated

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

would get yhe 5.5"

 

[Hogbear]

I love the 5.5 barrels, have one in .357 and .45. I sold my 4-5/8 in .357 to my brother because I didn't like the extra muzzle flash you get. That extra inch really does make a difference, but I don't like the 7.5's because they don't feel handy/balanced to me. Don't think you'll be able to tell any difference in accuray between 5.5's and 7.5's

 

[a retrohillbilly]

The 5.5" did feel perfectly balanced!

 

[fishboy1]

Why a .41 ?

The 7.5 is a little better for muzzle blast and a little more accurate over the 5.5 but I expect the 5.5 balances a little better.

Take a peek at the .45LC . Similar or Better down range energy than the .44mag with Lower case pressure + muzzle blast. Its also a LOT more available than the .41 .

You can get cowboy action ammo relatively cheap for practice and buy or load up some really nasty full boat hunting loads.

 

[a retrohillbilly]

45 was/is? on the short list too, they make a cool convertable that comes w/ a 45acp cylinder also...I saw some folks sayin' the forcing cones could be a little tight on some Blackhawk 45's and may need reaming a little for accuracy w /lead boolits, don't know, dang, just when I thought I had narrowed it down :)

 

[mr.big]

5.5 45 LC

 

[David Sapp]

That convertible 45 in SS would be on my short list if I was interested in a Blackhawk. Would be a great hunting round in 45 Colt and a relatively cheap plinker in 45 ACP.

 

[Kimberman]

I like the 41 if you handload, and I would also get the 5.5 inch barrel.

 

[44fanatic]

Have a 44 SBH with a 7.5 barrel. Can get pretty heavy at the range when shooting off hand. But it dosnt break your wrist when shooting a 255gr lead boolit with 20+grs of 2400.

 

[Paul Burns]

I have the 41 and like it but wish I had a S&W .480.

 

[WTM]

for a mountain or carry around the farm revolver, nothing over 5.5 for me. that 7.5 bbl will give you better sight alignment hence a little better accuracy. you'll lose a little velocity but not much as far as hunting goes. how are you going to carry it? a shoulder holster would be fine for a longer bbl but a hip carry would be cumbersome getting in and out of the truck unless you take it off. the .41 is a fine underrated round but could be hard to find ammo for in a store.

i wouldnt worry about the forcing cone deal with a factory blackhawk, they are plenty accurate for hunting. i like the 45LC as well and the blackhawk frame will readily handle heavier loads if need be and gobs of factory ammo. i dont have any experience with 45 conversion gun.

 

[stik]

i would prefer the longer barrel on a hunting handgun.

 

[Thunderroost]

I have a 6.5" 41 BH, and a 5.5" SBH. I've also had a couple of 7.5" SBH's in the past but ended up selling them. Not only was the barrel length cumbersome, the grip is larger on the 7.5" compared to the 5.5 and i never could get comfortable with it. To me the 6.5" is still a little bit on the long side sitting in a stand, so i wear mine crossdraw at a more horizontal angle (Galco Single Action Outdoorsman is a great holster) I certainly don't see any accuracy loss with the shorter barrels. The .41 is great, and I love shooting it, but your ammo choices will be fewer, and slightly more expensive....not alot on dealer shelves but readily available at gunshows, best to order it.

the 5.5 SBH is one sweet revolver though....balance is great

 

[a retrohillbilly]

I figured cross-draw shoulder would be the way to go,thanks for the tip on that one, and everybody's input! Obviously need both barrel lengths, :)