Length of rifle for hunting

[Billhuntz]

Are there any drawbacks to hunting with a long barreled rifle. I would like to hunt with a long rifle, 36 to 42 inches. I live in the northeast and hunt whitetail deer. Mostly inside the woods near field edges, and hardwoods.

 

[TN.Frank]

The way I understand it those long rifles were braced up against a tree to steady em', that's why they were so popular in the South, because we've got a lot of woods down here. The longer sight radius gave more pricise aim and helped in the dim light of the forest. As people started going West on horse back barrels got shorter and wrists on the guns got thicker to stop em' from snapping if you fell off of your horse with your rifle. I'd think if you'd be woods hunting a long barrel would be just fine if it's a well ballanced rifle. Heck, if you get into one and don't like it we can always work a swap for a Mt.Rifle that I've got,LOL. :hmm:

 

[gmww]

I suppose it depends on your style of hunting. Advantages to longer rifles for me is the longer sight plain. Works fine if I'm in a stand or just sitting at the edge of a field or clearing.

The disadvantage is if I was in thick brush with short shooting distances. A shorter barrel is all I need in this case as the shots are close and its easier to swing the rifle around and walk around the brush in. Just my 2 cents.

 

[fw707]

Are there any drawbacks to hunting with a long barreled rifle.

I've hunted with rifles with barrels between 32 and 44 inches in the woods here in KY, and I've never had any problem with them. You might have a problem "swinging" on running game, but I don't take that kinda shot myself. If I've got one shot, I'm gonna make it a slow and deliberate shot with the best possible chance for a good result. I'm not a very good shot, but when I know that I've only got ONE shot, I rarely miss.

 

[Slake]

The trick is to shoot your deer with the rifle you shoot the best. The other trick is, to practice with the rifle you want to use to shoot your deer to make sure it is the rifle you shoot the best.
Another trick I used since I was a lad, is to shoulder your rifle in the woods a lot. Make it natural to put that thing up to your shoulder. if you see a bird, raise it make your sight, don't shoot, just make your sight picture on him. And do it all in slow easy movements. practice this many times and when you see that big buck you'll be used to doing it, then pull the trigger on him
all the hours at the range will pay off and the big buck will fall dead.
Easy, eh?

 

[Slamfire]

Since your muzzleloader doesn't have a receiver, you can have a barrel about 8" longer than that on a suppository rifle with no change in overall length. So a relatively standard 24" barrel, plus 8" equals a 32" muzzleloader barrel with no overall length penalty.

 

[rebel727]

I'll second that. Use the one you shoot best. A short barrel in thick woods with a lot of undergrowth is easier to maneuver but if you're like me you hunt the same woods most of the time and have your favorite spots to hunt from, so get out there and practice with it in the off season and see how it handles. If you're a stalk and track hunter you'll take your chances with the long barrel but if you're used to using it it shouldn't be a much of a problem

 

[jdixon]

In a tree stand, when the deer come up on you from your strong arm side and behind, as they always seem to do, getting that long barrel gun around for a shot is a bugger. Often it is down right impossible. But, hey, this senario is tough with any rifle - helps to carry a handgun for those close in strong sidde shots.

 

[Hoyt]

I agree with JR..don't make much difference how long it is if it's pointed in the right direction..but if it's not..the longer it is the more you got to deal with.

 

[BS]

Back in the 'Swamp', I like a shorter barrel.

In the open fields and on the edges, I plan on getting a longer barrel. Any excuse for a new gun! :grin:

 

[Ron LaClair]

If you go with a long barrel, have it swamped...you'll be glad you did. It'll hold and carry a lot better.

 

[Alberta Black]

I suggest that you find a gun that you really enjoy hunting with and learn to shoot it.

It does not matter if it is long or short, smoothbore or rifle. What is important is that you like it and if you like it you will shoot it and if you shoot it you will harvest game with it.


Richard

 

[roundball]

Since your muzzleloader doesn't have a receiver, you can have a barrel about 8" longer than that on a suppository rifle with no change in overall length. So a relatively standard 24" barrel, plus 8" equals a 32" muzzleloader barrel with no overall length penalty.

Ditto...TC's 28" barrels felt like I was carrying a .30-30.
But the TC 32" & GM 33" barrels feel a lot more normal...about like carrying a Remington 1100 with a 28"-30" barrel...seems like another 6-8 inches would probably be manageable OK...

 

[Billhuntz]

I've been huntin for a long time but mainly traditional archery. I have a White Mountain carbine, and a T/C Hawken right now and am thinking about a more traditional rifle. From the inputs I see here I won't stay away from length. If I can't manuever for a shot it wasn't meant to be anyway, and I will not go into the woods without being sure I can use the tools in my hands to place a quick kill shot, the deer deserve that much.

 

[biliff]

Rifle length isn't all that much of an issue once you get used to it. As a retired Naval Officer it was somewhat comical watching someone wear a sword for the first time. After you've worn it for awhile manuevering around with it becomes second nature. Same thing with a longer rifle, you just get used to it and eventually the extra length is no big deal.

 

[Billhuntz]

Hey Bill, as a retired Senior Chief I was always surprised they let you guys carry pointy stuff!!!!

Just kidding, Thanks for serving!!!!!!

 

[biliff]

Hey Bill, as a retired Senior Chief I was always surprised they let you guys carry pointy stuff!!!!

Just kidding, Thanks for serving!!!!!!

I always thanked my lucky stars we had the senior enlisted to keep us from getting into any real trouble. :grin:

 

[Billhuntz]

Ha , ha,

You ever been in Patuxent River Maryland. I flew on C-130s out of there for ever and am now working for NAVAIR there.

 

[nchawkeye]

I have never had a problem with longer barrels...my first flinter that I bought in '77 has a 42 inch barrel...I used it for about 20 years before I ever cosidered getting[url] another...In[/url] that time I hunted deer and squirrels with the same gun (although I did reduce the load for squirrels)...After a few seasons, it didn't seem "long" anymore...it seemed "right"...

 

[Joel Lehman]

I was on my ship's color guard. We used M1's and the LTJG had his sword. We were practicing in a tight space on the quarterdeck for a visit by the president of Liberia. At the present arms command, the LTJG drew is sword and brought it back towards my face. I jumped backward up against the bulkhead and blocked the sword with my M1. We moved to an area with a little more space after that.