38 Spl Hunting - Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman +P

38SPL HV

38SPL HV

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What is the largest game you would hunt with Buffalo Bore's 38 Spl +P 158 gr SWC hard cast? In my opinion I would hunt anything with this round as a standard factory 357 Magnum 158 gr JSP (deer at close range for instance).

The Buffalo Bore load would also be a decent round for all game in the "Lower 48" in a self defense situation?
 
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I think a Groundhog is the larger animal I would shoot with a .38 Special +P round.

I would NOT shoot a deer with any .38 Special +P round. IMO it is unethical. There are plenty of suitable rifle rounds for that job. If you want to hunt with a handgun at least use a round that will generate significant energy to take the deer cleanly. IMO the .38 Special +P is not that round.
 
Mice to Varmints, would be my choice.
A big fat wood chuck on a rock at 50 yards would be a great shot.

I have taken deer with a .357 Magnum under 100 yards but we all know
that the .44 Magnum is what we should use for deer.

As a note, that 357 deer had my .270 rifle back up...... just in case.
 
I've taken a few deer with a .357mag...works but not really impressive. Sure a .38+p would work in a perfect situation but when hunting "perfect" is rare....

I still carry a .357mag for deer on occasion but only plan to take shots at very close range and when the odds are on my side.

The B.Bore is probably one of the best .38's suitable for defense from four legged threats....but again a stout .357mag will be more gooder...:cool:
 
Has it occurred to check with your state's wildlife resources, or whatever they call it there, to see what calibers are legal to hunt big game with? There are three criteria usually used by different states:

Minimum overall cartridge length,

Minimum energy at a specified distance,

Minimum bullet diameter,

Some simply publish a list of what is/is not acceptable.

If .38 Spl. is not legal in your state then no one's opinion counts for squat!;)

And when you give your location as "Right side of the Sierras" do you mean as opposed to "Left", or as in "Correct"?
 
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NOT LEGAL FOR DEER in Oklahoma and many other western states.
 
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You're right, that is obvious regarding hunting regulations. Your other inquiry...depends which direction you're facing ��
 
Rolled a LOT of jackrabbits and lessor rodents over the years with a .38 - but that's the limit size - wise. I would certainly not hesitate to use it on an aggressive dog if I had no other choice but that would be defensive.
 
NM Game Regs for Elk say this-

Any Legal Sporting Arm: Center Fire rifle or handgun, .24 caliber or larger; shotgun, no smaller than 28 gauge, ring a single slug; bow and arrow; crossbow and bolt; or muzzleloading rifle,
no smaller than .45 caliber.
I guess I should start looking for a 25 Auto!
 
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It is listed as 158 gr at 1250 fps. If legal and at a range within your capabilities this load is close to .357 power. Carrying a rifle also for shots on medium game past 50 yards may be a really good idea :).
 
Nevada has a cartridge of caliber .22 or larger with an overall
loaded length of 2 inches or more. ( 357 Mag. 1.75" long)

(b.) Uses a .24 caliber or larger with a case length no less than
a Remington magnum of caliber .44.

(c.) Uses a centerfire handgun with a barrel length of 4 inches or more.

Not the rules of old................
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I think a Groundhog is the larger animal I would shoot with a .38 Special +P round.
Click to expand...

The Outdoorsman load to which he refers is not an ordinary 38 Special round. It duplicates the original 38/44, so it is a 158 gr hard cast LSWC at about 1,200 fps. You don't have to get in front of the gun to figure out it just went off.

In answer to the OP's question, since the load in question does so nicely on criminals, it should do nicely on anything deer sized or under.

:)
 
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I'd feel fine hunting deer with that load...provided it's being shot out of a rifle. The BuffaloBore website says it produces 789.2 ft/lbs of energy at 1500 fps, it might even be faster than that out of my Marlin.

I imagine it would be similar to hunting with most .357 magnum loads out of a revolver.
 
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