In the market for a long-range target gun, need advice on barrel length

[The Wiry Irishman]

I've had a lot of fun this summer shooting my 1911 at 100 yards, and I'm really hooked on it. I've been wanting to get something a little more suitable for the task than .45 ACP, as well as something that would allow me to shoot at 200+ once I've had more practice. I've been wanting a revolver for a while, so I figure I can kill two birds with one stone.

After reading some Elmer Keith and an article or two by John Ross, I've decided I'd like a .44. After spending lots of time fondling various .44s at various shops, I've decided the 629 Classic fits me best, feels best in my hand, etc. The last thing I need to decide before I make the purchase is this: 6 inch or 8 3/8"?

I'm leaning toward the 8 3/8", as I think the extra sight radius would be very helpful at the longer distances I'd be shooting the gun at, and the extra couple inches of barrel might get me a little more velocity for a flatter trajectory. However, in John Ross's essay about the 500 S&W, his explanation on why he prefers a 5ish inch barrel - slight trade-off in sight radius and velocity for less movement/shake while you hold it - seems to make sense to me as well. I thought I'd come here and see what everyone has to say.

Extra info: I'll be shooting factory stuff through it a little while, but I will start handloading for it in the next few months.

 

[Jst1mr]

Mind made up?

If not, give a S&W XVR460 a whirl... this is a true long-range revolver! Personally, although a bit bulky for carrying around, I think the weight-forward nature of the 8 3/8" results in a steadier hold and superior sight radius for longer ranges. My 6" M29 is OK for that, but that longer tube is superior, IMHO.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Well, bulk isn't a concern for me; the longest I'll ever carry this gun will be from the trunk of my car to the firing line. I'm not a hunter, I just enjoy poking holes in far-away paper.

I'll agree that the X-Frame is a neato gun for long range (.500, too, not just the .460) but there's a couple reasons I've ruled it out. First, they're more expensive. The guns aren't that much more, percentage-wise, but the ammo is, even if you reload. Also, I've never shot anything that large, and I don't know how tolerable the recoil would be for me, which would make it a risky investment. Learning to make accurate shots at 200+ yards is going to take a lot of practice, so the smaller ammo cost and less punishing recoil are big considerations. I wouldn't rule one out further down the road, though. This will be my first revolver, but certainly not my last.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

shameless bump

 

[Majic]

Which one is the most comfortable to you? How long can you hold that 8 inch barrel on target? You are asking a question only you can answer.

 

[rcmodel]

Keith preferred a 4" gun for long range shooting because you cannot hold over enough with a long barrel.

This sounds odd, but think about it.

Holding over a full front sight on a 4" barrel puts the departure angle much higher then the same amount of front sight hold-over on an 8 3/8" barrel.

If you have adjustable sights, and easily changeable front sight height, like on a Silhouette gun, it's a not-issue.

rcmodel

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Which one is the most comfortable to you? How long can you hold that 8 inch barrel on target? You are asking a question only you can answer.

I wish there was a difference in comfort, it would make this decision a lot easier. They both feel good to me, and I have no trouble keeping either up and steady.

Keith preferred a 4" gun for long range shooting because you cannot hold over enough with a long barrel.

This sounds odd, but think about it.

No, that makes perfect sense. I can't believe I didn't remember that. The 629s do have adjustable sights, but I'll have to do some research and see how much adjustment they actually have. The swappable front sights you mentioned - are these something built into Silhouette guns, or would I be able to buy a set that I could replace the factory front sights with?

Thanks for the input.

 

[oneounceload]

I have a bolt-action 7MM rem BR target pistol - good for hitting deer and antelope at 200+ yards for sale.....let me know via PM if interested

 

[krs]

Well now, if you decide that a .44 mag in a S&W 5" Classic 629 you might want to p-mail me.

this is not a sale pitch - it is a response to your post but this revolver has come my way through a trading deal and I'm not really needing to keep it. I thought I would simply because I don't have anything else in the caliber and because it's such a fine piece of Smith & Wesson but if you want to approach me I wouldn't be rude with you about it.

This has only been fired to provide the two mandated cases, and one of them is in the box with all documentation as with a new pistol. I've had it for about 6 months and haven't fired it.

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

My Dan Wesson 357 max has an 8" barrel and is 1" at 25 yards. I haven't had a chance to go to the outdoor range to try 50 or 100 yards but I've been told they used to be the benchmark for silhouette shooting.

 

[John Ross]

W.I., make sure the full-underlug 8 3/8" 629 doesn't feel too muzzle-heavy after a while. I'd suggest a half-lug 29 in 8 3/8" as the best for what you want. It was my favorite .44 for long range fun. I like the balance and you can hold up enough front sight for 200 to 300 yard shots easily.

Practice a lot with the 29, get good at handloading, and then think about getting one of my 5" .500s. Everyone that has bought one loves it.

JR

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Thank you for the advice!

I don't think the muzzle weight will be too big a deal with the 629 - I spend a considerable amount of time shooting a 10" 45 oz. free pistol. If memory serves me correctly, the 629 weighs 53, and the extra 8 oz. shouldn't make much of a difference as the barrel won't be as long and I'll get to use a second hand to hold it up. My bullseye shooting has also led me favor front-heavy pistols. Are there any other advantages in going with the 29? I could fit one into my budget, but not with near as much ammo as I could with the 629.

Practice a lot with the 29, get good at handloading, and then think about getting one of my 5" .500s. Everyone that has bought one loves it.

I read an article you wrote about the history of ultra-magnum revolvers, and toward the end of it you discussed your development of that gun, as well as some of your .500 hand loads. When you mentioned that your friend put 50 rounds into an oil drum at 700 yards, I immediately thought, "I want to do that." Its actually what inspired me to start shooting my 1911 at 100. So yeah, maybe we'll have to talk about that in 10,000 or so rounds.

 

[Bullet]

You might check this out -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKZzyFCLQsY&feature=related