Opinion on .38's

[California Mark]

I am looking at buying some .38's for my S&W 686 for the range and small game hunting for my wife. I have plenty of .357 hunting loads for me, but wanted to get opinions on accurate .38's (it would be great if I can buy them in bulk) my wife can practice with on the range and use in the field.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

[Wingman26]

Most of the larger companies have a "generic" line, Winchester in the white box, Federal American Eagle, etc, another good one for practice is Blazer, if you aren't a reloader and save cases Blazer is a good buy, but you can't ever reload the aluminum cases.  If you want to use some for hunting you will need to get some hollow point ammo, most of the cheaper ammo is full metal jacket and not suitable for hunting. 

[Mikey]

California Mark - for small game hunting with a 38 you can easily use the standard 148 gn wadcutter that is used for target work or the 158 gn swc.  I wouldn't bother going with the more expensive jacketed slugs as you might not get the performance from them you wanted and that may leave your wife feeling less than confident with the effects of her shooting and hunting skills.  Most 38 loads that I know of shoot just fine from 357s if not as accurately as from a 38. 

You can purchase the 148 gn wadcutter and 158 gn semi-wadcutter in reloaded ammo at bulk prices.  Check out the Shotgun News for adds or places like Natchez Shooter's Supply, both usually run adds on bulk purchases of just those loads.  This would allow you wife to practice and honeher hunting skills, and then to go afield with exactly the same handgun and loads for some small gamin'.  HTH.  Mikey.

[TrenchMud]

Dead on Mikey..
That is exactly what I do. The full wadcutters are probably the most accurate bullets
in that cartridge. They punch a full bore hole also. I load about 3.5 grains of 231 behind them
and velocity from my Colt is about 650 fps. No need for a super fast load for small game.
A rabbit within about 35 yards is in trouble. Contact Master Cartridge Company in Villa Rica, Georgia.
(They are also called Georgia Arms on the civilian side but it is the same company) for bulk prices.

[Dand]

I agree on the wad cutters or light loaded lead semi wadcutters are great on small game in the 38.  I've taken several grouse and rabbits with such loads.  I use a Ruger security 6 357 to fire them. 

One time I shot a grouse with a wad cutter and I'm not sure it even penetrated. It was a very light load and the hard back feathers of the bird may have stopped the bullet. I remember being surprised at not finding a bullet hole in the bird when I dressed it. But the back was caved in.  It was probably only 20 yard shot.

These days I use Hornady lead hollow base wadcutters - I really like them in my guns. Don't recall the exact loading though.

I've also used 150 to 158 lead SWC loaded light to medium. Very fun way to hunt rabbits if you don't mind waiting for good shot opportunities and a light game bag.

[Old Griz]

I know some folks will scoff at the idea of a LRN bullet, but I found one that is so accurate I had to buy a case. ARMSCO, a company in the Philippines, makes a 125-gr.LRN that, in my guns, is simply amazing. I don't think a rabbit, or any other small game, will really tell much differece if he's hit with a SWC or a LRN. And when I shoot these in my 1895 CB . . . wow.