Help me buy a Ruger Redhawk 44magnum

[actionflies]

I'm looking at Ruger Redhawk 44 magnum and not sure about what barrel length to get it in (4". 5.5", 7.5") and have never shot a 44 magnum before. I currently have a S&W 686 6" barrel for plinking and range shooting. The Redhawk is for the same purpose. Is there a difference in accuracy with the barrel length and how much more recoil compare to the 357 magnum? Thanks for any input.

 

[SwampWolf]

There should be little or no difference in terms of accuracy between different length barrels. Recoil can be a subjective matter because people have different tolerance levels and perception factors. Speaking for myself, most things being equal, the recoil of a .357 Mag. is more unpleasant than that of a .44 Mag.

Barrel length decisions, of course, should be based on the intended use of the handgun. The 4" is the most packable and "handy', the 5.5" probably the most versatile and the 7.5" excels for hunting and is very suitable for scoping. I prefer longer barrels for .44 Magnum chambered revolvers and my Redhawk has the 7.5" barrel.

 

[def4pos8]

A strange lookin', kinda short cowboy named Elmer Keith figured this stuff out for us a few years ago. The most ballistically efficient barrel length in .44 Magnum is 8 inches, or as close to that as your favorite maker offers.

8-inch barrels provide a very useful sight radius if you are limited to iron sights. My S&W 24-3 is a .44 Special target revolver with a 7-inch barrel. As a bullseye gun, it is very efficient. I used an 8-inch Redhawk for hunting, plinking and target shooting for 25 years. Sweet gun! --bought another just like it for my son last month. If it loads, the thumbnail shows the boy's $500, used Redhawk.

I did shoot a few thousand magnums when firing metallic silhouette matches but the vast majority of the rounds fired through my .44s have been Specials. I have two S&W Model 21s with 4-inch barrels, along with a 4-in Dan Wesson. These are most pleasant with .44 Specials. Any .44 feels better than a .357. .44s "thump", .357s "crack". ALL are accurate revolvers. The short ones are great for plinking, 50-foot bullseye and defense. The longer ones are better at bullseye, still fun to plink with and better suited for hunting.

Yeah, lots of choices. . . . You just have to decide what you do the most of and select the barrel length that provides the best utility for your needs.

I bought several.