38 Special For Small Game

[rlm2007x]

How would a .38 special work for small game such as squirrels, rabbits, and grouse?  Robert

[Badnews Bob]

Not grouse but I've took plenty of rabbits and squirrels and a bobcat with my .357 loaded to .38 levels, The thing is so accurate that way its almost cheating.

[Mohawk]

   I use it all the time for squirrels and rabbits. Even very close range on small whitetails it has worked for me provided you can double lung them. Try to stay away from hollow points on rabbits, because they tend to damage a lot of meat if you don't hit them just right. A standard Lead Round Nose or SWC works fine behind the shoulder.

[Mikey]

The 38 is a great choice for small game, especially if you reload your own.  You can find bullet weights running from about 100 - 200 gns in both jacketed and cast.  Numerous sqwirrels and gwound hogs have met their fate at the business end of my 38s, not to mention untold numbers of central and southwestern American critters.   I've bagged a couple of turkey with 38s, but never a grouse.  HTH.  Mikey.

[singleVI]

Ive used my 686 with 38s for squirrels. Ammo was 130gr FMJ @ 800fps  (Remington UMC) from walmart. Accuracy was ok, handloads would be better. Shot one squirrel in the back right thigh and exited the left neck/cheek with little damage .35 cal hole in, .35 cal hole out. Had a red-dot on it for reload testing.

[petemi]

I keep my Blackhawk loaded with both jacketed .357s and .38 lead round noses.  That way I can roll the cylinder and select the load I want to shoot.  The .38s have taken a lot of small game and pests for me.  I've never taken a grouse with them, but judging from the way a mild load works on snowshoes and squirrels, I think it would be fine.  I'll let you know next Fall, 'cause I'm definitely going to try it.

[Jerry Lester]

I've killed hundreds of squirrels, rabbits, and such with 38's, mostly from an 1894C. I used to use 4.5g of Unique, with a 125g SP, but I stopped shooting 38's in 357 magnum revolvers/rifles. A good replacement for this combo is a 125g SP, and around 6g to 6.5g of Unique ignited by a magnum primer(for consistency), and loaded in 357 cases.

[StrawHat]

I've used 148 grain WCs to hunt squirrels, coons and rabbits.

Same loads also will do in vermin like groundhogs, armadillos and skunks.

Nice wide meplat and an accurate load works great.

[Dand]

Yeah the 38 special is great for small game.  I've taken a few rabbits out to 50 yds with 150 gr lead SWC and moderate loads in my 4 inch Ruger Security 6.  It seems more positive and less damaging than 22 lr sometime - bang flop.  Also have taken a few grouse - sometimes with 148 wadcutter target loads.  One grouse I remember thinking I must have glanced the bullet off its back as there seemed to be not exit hole, just the back was smashed and no meat damaged.  I really enjoy taking rabbits with a 38 or even light loads in my 41 mags - sometimes easier to get through the brush with a revolver.

[Larry Gibson]

I've used 148 grain WCs to hunt squirrels, coons and rabbits.

Same loads also will do in vermin like groundhogs, armadillos and skunks.

Nice wide meplat and an accurate load works great.

Concur, best all around small game load for .38 Special.  Used to get them issued for practice when I was an LEO.  Shot thousands of them through 4 & 5" M15s and M19s.  Lee 105 gr SWC cast soft over 3.5 gr Bullseye is also excellent, very comparable to my favorite .32 H&R load.

Larry Gibson

[Lucky Joe]

The little 74 gr. wadcutter on the right is my favorite small game and rat getter. It can be stacked 2 in a .38 case and 3 in a .357 Mag. case. Generally I just load one at a time. My Security Six, S&W 686 and my Blackhawk all shoot it quite well.

[Mikey]

Hey Lucky Joe - Welcome Aboard.  Thanks for the post, the idea of stuffing two slugs into the same case at the same time is quite interesting.  What sort of 'groups' or 'shot patterns' do you get with two, or even 3 of those 74 gn wad cutters?  Do you use two stacked slugs for small game work - I know you said you generally load one at a time but this is pretty interesting.  Mikey.

[Lucky Joe]

Mikey,

I'll get back to this, right now I'm short on time.

Thanks,