I am trying to get into the habit of using one revolver for alot of my handgun hunting. In this case my Smith Outdoorsman. I already have a big game load worked up, now I am trying to figure out a decent grouse/rabbit/squirrel load (maybe a bit much for squirrels except for headshots) using a 125 grain cast bullet. My mould is Lee's 358-125 grain flat nose # 90306. I have about 100 bullets ready to go made from wheel weights. I want a load that won't ruin too much meat. This way I can keep with one gun for everything when I have it with me taking a walk.

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Vaya con Dios

I have always been told that if it’s stupid and it works, it isn’t stupid!

Only question is how does the load work on wing shooting those grouse. Of course I assume that no one would shoot these out of the trees or on the side of the road!

Thats the only time I ever see um.

Try 3.8 grains of Tight Group, this is my dads Cowboy action load he uses with a 125 gn swc.

A 125 grain "case" bullet that comes from a bullet mould? What, pray tell, are you talking about??????

I would check with your state's wildlife department first to see if it is legal to hunt Grouse with a handgun.

I don't know about how others feel about shooting Grouse on the ground or on a perch, but the ones I have seen in Utah that seems to be where they are. They don't seem to be very willing to fly any more than necessary.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Most likely a "typo" case=cast

Head shots on a squirrel with a 38 revolver? That's some good shooting!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Here in the Adirondacks, grouse are hunted so infrequently that you will see them wandering around in front of you only a few yards out. Some will fly bust most run away and duck under cover. I have shot well over 40 in the last few years and I can tell you that if you are squeamish about shooting them on the ground, you'll go hungry because that's the way it is. I remember one day when I had a big grouse walk in front of me and practically up my pant leg. I stomped on the ground, tried cursing at him, nothing would make him move. I only had my .44 handgun so I eventually got so fed up I tried a head shot and missed at about 7-8 yards. I had one three years ago fly and land on a rock on a small ledge next to me. He just stood there tilting his head in all directions trying to figure me out. He was maybe about 3 feet away. Had it been the season on him I would have shot him with my .22 pistol I was carrying.

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Vaya con Dios

David,

I'm loading a cast Lyman 358480 bullet at 133gr with 3.5gr of Bullseye in a .38 Special case for use in my 686.

Don

38 on small game ... now your cookin with gas.
For a general bunny buster load, its time to get into casting if you haven't already.
your looking for something in a flat point on the light end of the scale to be accelerated to right around 800-900 fps.
Bullseye would be where Id start

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it just needs more voltage

Cheap, Lee tumble lube boolit does the trick with range scrap.

Anyone who's read Elmer Keith's books and old magazine columns knows that shooting spruce or blue grouse with a handgun was common in Idaho in his day. Other writers mentioned the same thing, including Jack O'Connor, who used a .22 rifle or pistol, so as not to alarm elk in the area by firing a heavier arm.

Shots were usually at birds in trees. It was considered to be harvesting game for the table, not a wingshooting sport.
I see no reason for a particular load. Just load some standard speed Lyman 358156 or similar bullets to about 850 FPS and use that load for both routine practice and for small game. The .38 is an ideal small game handgun.

Some writers have commented on the need for SWC bullets, as lead RN ammo failed to stop some rabbits or marmots before they dragged themselves down a hole. And I'd sure want the SWC if I had to shoot a fox or a beaver. Actually, I'd prefer a lead HP for those animals, or a Plus P JHP load.

Of course, this general purpose load will also kill snakes, presumably including the Burmese pythons now common in parts of Florida. But I sure wouldn't mind hitting them with something more powerful!

But for grouse or other edible birds, you don't want to ruin much meat. Jeff Cooper mentioned shooting western marmots with a .38 Super, and said they were delicious if well prepared. I think he used factory ammo, but some may have been made with hollowpoint bullets in the 1930's.

Cooper also shot marmots with his Registered .357 Magnum, I think, but he didn't mention the load used.

I wouldn't be afraid to use 5.0 Unique and the Kieth / Lyman 358429 in a .38 case.

I've shot partridge with my Highway Patrolman using 7.0 Unique and the same bullet in a Magnum case and you can eat right up to the hole.

Try between 4.8gr to 5.0gr W231/HP-38 under that 125gr Cast bullet. I think you will like the results a lot...

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437