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July 31, 2011
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I bought my Dan Wesson .357 back in 1974 with a 6" barrel and am now contemplating a longer barrel for target shooting/hunting. For those with longer barrels could you explain what I can expect as far as accuracy compared to the 6" barrel I have now? I cast and reload my own bullets and wonder what a longer barrel might change in my re-loading practices. Thanks 
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Dans Club
February 28, 2009
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First, welcome to the DWF. My answer will be subjective, not scientific. There are others here who can give you the scientific inforamtion.
Personally, I shoot all of my Dan's with their 8-inch barrels for 2 reasons:
1. I seem to be more accurate with the 8-inch than with the 6-inch.
2. IMHO there is somewhat less felt recoil from an 8-inch barrel.
-Mike
February 11, 2010
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The longer barrel may or may not make the gun more accurate but a
longer sight plane will definitely make the shooter more accurate.
Generally sub 2 in groups at 25 yrds is average, depending on load,
some get much better.
-Blacktop
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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+1 on the length of your sight plane.
Since you're handloading you'll be able to adjust you cartridges for efficiency. Longer barrels allow more room for complete powder burn and it may make a difference if you were using factory ammunition.
Finally, while tinkering around for accuracy you should pay attention to the cylinder gap.
Have you cast a lot for revolvers? There's a few things to be aware of; PM me if you want some resource reading...
Oh- and 
Ron
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
May 17, 2010
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Well I think everyone has just about covered everything. Many things go into making a gun accurate, though increasing a barrel from 6 " to 8" would be a minor consideration. Instead of thinking the longer barrel makes the gun more accurate, think of it has aiding the shooter to be more accurate.
As to reloading, the longer barrel allows you to consider slower burning powder which is more conducive to longer/heavier bullets which in turn are better for hunting or long range iron knock-downs.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
July 31, 2011
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I started casting/re-loading my own 30 years back, mostly rifles, but took a long vacation from the hobby and am recently getting all my equipment out of storage. Life gets in the way of fun sometimes! I have tried a few re-loads with this particular .357 using HP-38 but later on this week plan on making some rounds with H110 which the charts show as a much slower burn rate powder. I have not slugged the barrel on this Wesson as of yet but will do so in the next few days. Thanks...
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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As long as the barrel has as smaller (or same) groove diameter than the tightest cylinder throat, you should have a shooter.
If the throats are tighter than the barrel, you may need to ream them a bit to keep from leading the barrel due to gas cutting.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
July 7, 2011
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I would be somewhat cautious about using H110 with cast bullets. My experience with H110 is it burns hot and only works well at full power and pressure. I only use it with bullets with gas checks or jacketed bullets. And WELCOME to the Forum! 
July 31, 2011
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In the past I've kept non-gas checked lead cast bullets below 1400fps and haven't had any leading problems so far. I load up my test bullets in groups of 12 to check for accuracy, leading and chronograph the speeds. I also test at the same time re-loading the same powder weights with jacketed bought in bullets. The nice thing about my style Wesson is that it's easy to take the barrel off the frame and get a really good look down into the barrel when cleaning or inspecting for lead streaks. My original question was also aimed at seeing what lenght barrel appears to be the most popular for target/hunting use. Thanks...
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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I'm partial to 10" barrels for hunting, FWIW. However I first started handgun hunting w/ Contenders, so 10" seemed normal to me. (No comments from the peanut gallery...)
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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I think most is covered here. I will add my 44 with 10" is dead on at around 70yds with factory loads! If i didn't say so beofree i must add Welcome and keep us posted on your findings.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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A lot of responses, none that really answer the question. Is a longer barrel inherently more accurate, ie- does a longer barrel mean better accuracy than a shorter barrel, all else being equal?
A DW shooter should be able to answer this question more readily than anyone else, since we are the only ones that can shoot from the same gun under the same conditions, with just a barrel length change.
Here's Steve's DWF Challenge:
First Member that posts comparison targets shot under the following conditions:
1) Same DW revolver, any caliber, same ammunition, same day. Open sights, scopes, red dots, do whatever you need to do to get lead on the bullseye.
2) Six shots on target at minimum 25 yards, slow fire from a rest, shot for maximum accuracy and consistency. Again, whatever you can do to get all six in the same spot, do it. Present your one BEST target for each barrel length, with distance shot and conditions.
3) Minimum 4" difference in barrel length, make sure to identify barrel lengths for each target (2">6", 4">8", 6">10", etc.) and caliber/model
Here's Steve's DWF Reward:
Your very own DWF Hat, navy blue with red/white DWF logo, personalized with your Screen Name, guaranteed to be a one of a kind. Nobody has this hat, nobody else ever will, a personal gift from me.
Have fun, shoot safe, and keep it DWF.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
May 10, 2011
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If nobody's done this by the time my stuff comes back from NY, I'll do it: 2" vs 6" vs 12".
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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2>6>12 would be a great comparison
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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Dans Club
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November 17, 2008
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As usual, great idea Steve. Can't wait to see the results.
LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
October 27, 2009
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When it comes to 100 yard Bench rest shooting the shorter thicker barrels are more accurate. When a gun fires the barrel whips up and down. The shorter/thicker the barrel the less it moves making it inherently more accurate than a longer barrel.
With all that said they are also using 40 power scopes to shoot at 100 yards. Any loss in accuracy from switching to a longer handgun barrel is made up 10 fold in sight radius. The longer barrel make the shooter more accurate. Also when you start the really stretch the distance the longer the barrel the more velocity. The more velocity the less time in flight the bullet is affected by gravity/wind and the more predictablethe shots become.
May 10, 2011
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Well, guys, it shouldn't be too long, now. I just got a call from Priscilla yesterday and they're back together and in QA, paid in full. Hopefully I'll see them again, barring any unforeseen circumstances, in a week or two.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Guys, I REALLY want to give away a hat. If I get to the range with my 722 2" and 6", I'll be giving it away to, well, ME, and that's not what I want to do!
There's a bunch of guys here with Pistol Packs, and remember you're not shooting against anyone else, first one in wins.
Just to clarify, not looking for hitting the bullseye here, looking for a comparison of tightest group, rested (Ransom Rest for all I care), maximum consistent accuracy, barrel length versus barrel length. Lock the sucker down into a bench vise if you want, duct tape it down to a sandbag, bury the grip in a block of concrete, whatever!
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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