Pistol barrel length

[StreetGlide]

I am buying a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag revolver for paper punching and getting started into silouette.
How does the length of the barrel effect the ballistics on a 5 1/2" barrel compared to 7 1/2" barrel.
Does the extra 2" make enough difference in velocity to consider?
Was thinking of adding a scope for silouette, so sight radius isn't an issue, I think.
If I do go with a 7 1/2" barrel the gun can't be used in ODPL/IPSC if I felt that need to try.

Which should I get?

 

[Winterkrieg]

I am buying a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag revolver for paper punching and getting started into silouette.
How does the length of the barrel effect the ballistics on a 5 1/2" barrel compared to 7 1/2" barrel.
Does the extra 2" make enough difference in velocity to consider?
Was thinking of adding a scope for silouette, so sight radius isn't an issue, I think.
If I do go with a 7 1/2" barrel the gun can't be used in ODPL/IPSC if I felt that need to try.

Which should I get?

Check this site out: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/

You could use a 7.5" for paper punching and silhouette and get a 5.5" for ODPL/IPSC

 

[mmattockx]

A longer barrel makes it much harder to shoot your pant leg or your leg while shooting silhouette from the Creedmore position.

Have a read: http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520521

Mark

 

[Wendell]

Check this site out: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/

You could use a 7.5" for paper punching and silhouette and get a 5.5" for ODPL/IPSC

It appears that barrel length is no longer an issue in IPSC Revolver Standard Division. It appears that you could use either length.

IPSC Rules Current editions of the IPSC rule books are available in PDF format. To view these documents you need Adobe® Reader®.
Handgun January 2009 2nd Edition (1352 KB) (See page 80)
http://www.ipsc.org/pdf/RulesHandgun.pdf