Author Topic: Stupid question about .38's (Read 777 times)

toecatch · « **on:** August 31, 2003, 11:19:46 AM »

Heres a stupid question looking for serious answeres. I own a .38 special, I read where I can hunt with a handgun with a .38 but heres the question.
Can I shoot .38 supers out my .38 special?

Savage · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2003, 11:44:10 AM »

No, afraid you'll have to settle for .38 spl round in that chambering.
Stay Safe,
Savage

Duffy · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2003, 05:05:40 PM »

No such thing as a stupid question around here!

You can't shoot Supers but depending on the type of gun you have (large/heavy frame) you may be able to shoot +P's in it but I wouldn't try hunting anything bigger than coyotes.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2003, 02:39:25 PM »

toecatch

"Can I shoot .38 supers out my .38 special?"

Yes, you can. IF the chamber mouths of your .38 have not been champhered and are still square. The .38 Super is a semi rimmed case and while there isn't much of a rim most often the .38 Supers will go bang in a .38 Special chamber. I would suggest your revolver be rated for +P. There is a sufficient expansion ratio in a .38 special revolver chamber before the bullet will hit the throat that pressure are considerably lower than when fired in a Super chamber. I have fire quite a few in my M15, M19. and Ruger Security Six. Accuracy and positive extraction sucks in all three BTW. Not that it is hazardous but I recommend against it because it is such a pain and the poor accuracy is not worth the experience.

Larry Gibson

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2003, 09:34:04 AM »

toecatch

Should have added one caveat; Though I haven't tried any .38 Supers in .38/.357s for a while I did find that some Supers won't chamber owing to the brass being a little thicker. .38 Super brass is a little thicker than .38 prass and it fits snug in the chambers. As I recall it was the nickeled brass that was to thick to chamber.

Larry Gibson

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2003, 01:44:49 PM »

Toecatch
You could well put down a deer here in Iowa with a 38sp as our range is not very far and you have a decent load +900 fps and 125gr or greater. However its not legal. Min 357 out of min 4" barrel. Check it out on-line
Jim

GrizzLeeBear · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2003, 06:34:49 AM »

I'm new to this forum and don't handgun hunt (yet!), but Jim is correct. For deer hunting in Iowa it's 357 mag or bigger with a min. barrel of 4".