4" vs 6" barrel

[astocks2622]

I am planning on buying a Ruger GP100 in the next few weeks, but can't decide what barrel length to get. I plan on using it primarily as a backpacking self defense gun, but also am hoping to use it for whitetail deer hunting in the future. how much accuracy differential is there between the 4" and the 6" versions?

 

[ClemY]

One thing to determine is if there are any regulations on barrel length for hunting. Where I live, it is a 6" barrel minimum, .357 mag minimum, with 700 ft. lbs. minimum. The GP-100 with 6" barrel and some of the Bullalo Bore loads makes that.

If you are primarily interested in it as a carry gun, the 4" is a much better length (IMO).

 

[Elvishead]

ClemY::

One thing to determine is if there are any regulations on barrel length for hunting. Where I live, it is a 6" barrel minimum, .357 mag minimum, with 700 ft. lbs. minimum. The GP-100 with 6" barrel and some of the Bullalo Bore loads makes that.

If you are primarily interested in it as a carry gun, the 4" is a much better length (IMO).

+1, I couldn't say it better.

 

[mbt2001]

I agree with Clemy, consult your local laws.

If the primary purpose is for hunting, then get the 6" barrel. You loose about 150 FPS per inch between 4" and 6" barrels. 4" barrels are easier to carry though.

 

[revolverforums]

As far as ballistics go your only talking about 15% difference between those two barrel lengths. For back packing you don't want the extra weight of an already very heavy gun IMHO. As long as you can hunt with a 4" gun in your area it is the best all around barrel you can get IMHO.

 

[Gryffydd]

I just picked up a 5" GP100 from Davidsons a couple of months ago. Kind of the best of both worlds in my opinion.
...And I just checked and they're all gone...
Another thing to think about is a 6" Half-Shroud. You get the ballistics of the 6" with weight closer to the 4".

 

[RugerDoug]

As you said it depends on what your use is for it. I dont hunt at all but have the GP100 in the 3 and 4 inch barrels. I carry both when I go hiking and use the 4 inch for HD.

 

[sernv99]

is the line of sight plane on a GP100 in 4" configuration as long as the line of sight plane on a 5" 1911? I'm thinking to get a GP100 in 4" but I prefer a long sight plane just like my Kimber 1911 fullsize.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I'll second a vote for a 5" if you can get it.

 

[Average Joe]

For target/hunting I would get 6" , for home and general use, I would get 4".

 

[jglcolosprgs]

WHAT KIND OF FREINDS ARE YOU GUYS!!!

Get one of each!!



4" is my favorite in 357; packs right, not too heavy and longer sight radius. I personally don't like 357 for deer, I use a bit more gun. The 357 will work, but you need to place the bullet exactly on target.... which means the 6" will work better for hunting.

Just my $.02

 

[Brian Williams]

I would rather have 3" and 5".

 

[Floppy_D]

Any chance you could shoot them both before deciding? For target, plinking and hunting, I'll take 6" all day. Carry, I'd likely want something smaller than 4". Can't really go wrong, if it suits you right.

 

[Tamlin]

I have a 4" GP100 - I chose it over the 6" because it felt more balanced in my hand. I take it with me when I go hiking. Don't use it for hunting, just self-defense. Unless you are within 20 yards of a deer, I wouldn't use a 6" for hunting, either.

 

[jad0110]

After handling both, I always felt that the 6" GP with full underlug was a pig. Same can be said for the 6" S&W 686. But a partial lug 5" or 6" might be just the ticket. They may actually balance more nicely than a 4" full underlug version. I know my no-lug 6" S&W Model 14 has better balance, to my hand, than my 4" full lug 686.

As for accuracy, there will be zero mechanical difference between the two. Practical accuracy will of course go to the longer barrel with it's longer sight radius. I don't hunt, but if I were in your shoes I'd probably go with a 5 or 6" partial underlug model ... though they will be harder to find.

 

[bluetopper]

I'd get the 6" Smith 357.

 

[S&Wfan]

I agree with the "pig" comment of heavy guns.

I don't want to tote a "pig" around in the woods or going up and down mountains.

When I'm "toting" in the hiking woods and back country, I'll have a 3" barreled gun on my belt (sometimes a 1911-style compact auto, other times a .357 or .45ACP revolver with a 3" barrel.

Experienced handgunners can shoot them as accurately as their 4" or 6" ones with time and practice . . . especially the Smith and Wessons with their better triggers. In a handgun, the best trigger is everything. Plus, the S&W handguns are lighter generally.

I hunt with a 6" S&W .44 Mag, but it is currently the only handgun I own over 5" . . . and the 5" is a 1911 auto.

If you insist on a Ruger only (which is still a good choice), I'd recommend either a GP in a 4" . . . or a 101 in 3" for hiking, then get a second handgun later IF you decide to handgun hunt.

T.

 

[Arcticfox]

Any chance you could shoot them both before deciding? For target, plinking and hunting, I'll take 6" all day. Carry, I'd likely want something smaller than 4". Can't really go wrong, if it suits you right.

+1

BTW, I had a customer who took several deer with a Ruger 6", at over 100 yards!!!!!!

I hunter told me that 5" was the min in WA state, but don't quote me.

 

[coinshooter]

The last day of the year I found a real nice 4" ss GP100 with fixed sights its really sweet. Fixing to order a simplyrugged holster. Makes a great carry gun since I DON'T HUNT.

 

[tx gun runner]

I did a test on how long and short barrels handled . I alternated guns every 5 shots . I do the SASS and CAS . The last target was shoot using my 25 yds sight pic and shot the 50 yds. target

 

[Shadan7]

As revolverforums said above:

As far as ballistics go your only talking about 15% difference between those two barrel lengths.

Our results support that - between 10% and 15% of the ammos we tested. (Remember to include the length of the cylinder, due to our testing platform protocols, so you'd be looking at probably the 6" and 8" numbers.)

But I agree that getting one of each is the way to go.

7

 

[astocks2622]

Yeah, i looked at the 5", but there is only one on gunbroker.com, and I haven't seen them anywhere else. Davidsons is all sold out too. I know i can hit a milk jug at 75 yd with a friend's S&W 6" 357. as for legality issues, current WA regs say 4" min, so I'd be ok there. I think i'm leaning towards a 4" for weight considerations. any other things to consider?

 

[Gryffydd]

The only other thing I can think of is that if you get a 6" you can easily mount a scope on it without any gunsmithing.

Not sure if you'd ever want to do that, just tossing it out for information.

 

[NELSONs02]

4" seems really short for a hunting revolver and if your not trying to conceal it then why do you care about length? Weight? Cant be that much of a difference. Deer are tough animals and if you're gonna use a .357 you'll need all the barrel you can get. And as far as using it as a hiking companion, if you encounter anything more than a black bear you'll be in trouble...

 

[inSight-NEO]

I plan on using it primarily as a backpacking self defense gun

Focusing on this statement, I would opt for a 4" barrel. As stated before, you can extend the accuracy range with a 6" "out to 100 yards" (give or take)...but why bother? I mean, do you really (given your situation) need that kind of accuracy potential out of a handgun? At that range, you'd be better off using a rifle or at least a GR equipped shotgun (shooting slugs)....unless bragging rights is what you are after. Besides, if "backpacking and self defense" are of primary concern, why lug a 6" barreled weapon around? Go with the 4"...its a good compromise.