.38 spl for squirrels?

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I have a .357/.38 lever action rifle and was curious about using it for squirrels.

I don't think the .38 would be too much gun for a squirrel.  I know people who use a .36 caliber muzzle loader.  

My concern is shooting at squirrels in trees with a heavier slug - 110 to 125 grains.  But then the velocity would be low so . . .

[Woodchuk]

BJJ,
     Personally, I don't think the heavier slugs would be an issue for me as I always try to be very careful about which direction I shoot in.  I squirrel hunt primarily for fun and can afford to take the time to wait until a good backstop presents itself.  I know my shooting limitations and will give the squirrel time to move into a position that I feel comfortable with.  This way, I don't have to worry about what happens if I miss.
    Let me know how the .38s work for you as I am eager to pick up a .32 for squirrel hunting.

[bpjon]

I've used 148 grain wadcutters at very sedate velocities on squirrels.  The results are all out of proportion to the energy involved.  A shot in the chest gives an entrance wound of about .4" and a .75" exit wound with instant death.  Head shots are just as spectacular.  I would think a lighter bullet with it's higher velocity might destroy too much of the edible bits.  Try using a slow cast bullet with a flat nose, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Well I gave it a try - looks like it'll work just fine.

Using Winchester "Win-Clean" 125 grain flat points I bagged two squirrels.  This is fired from a 24" barreled rifle.

Both were chest shots.  The damage was exactly in between a .22lr and my .32 flintlock.  A big hole in the chest.

The one squirrel was shot up pretty bad as it took 3 extra shots to blast him out of a crook in the tree.  Ain't that the way it works?  You make a nice shot on a squirrel in the tree and he immediately plummets.  Of course, instead of thumping to the ground he land in the crook of a branch - dead.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Yep,  a lever action .357Mag might just be a contender for a do-it-all gun.

From squirrels to deer, from cheap plinking to defense purposes - it'll do.

[Ed Harris]

The only concern I have in using the .38 Special for squirrels is that on high angle shots the heavier spent bullet is more dangerous coming down.

I use my Marlin 24" Cowboy Limited with light .38 Spl. loads which are the minimum charge which will exit the barrel reliably.  You must use very soft swaged or cast bullets, with a secure crimp adequate to hold the bullet against compression of the magazine spring, and a fast burning powder which provides reliable ignition.  

I use either the Remington factory swaged 158-gr. SWC lead bullets or the Saeco #358 160-gr. FN cast of soft alloy such as plumber's lead or not harder than 1:20 tin/lead and 2.7 grs. of Bullseye in .38 Special cases,  I load these unsized, tumble lubed with Lee Liquid Alox and WSP primers. Rounds are heavily crimped using the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which also profile sizes the loaded round and sizes the bullet inside the case.

DO NOT USE JACKETED BULLETS - or hard cast ones because you will stick one in the barrel!

From a 24" barrel these make no more noise than standard velocity .22 LR. Velocity is about 800 f.p.s. and they shoot 2" groups at 50 yards.

I haven't had as good luck making very light loads in .357 cases as there is too much air space in the case.

[Bugflipper]

I've also found the heavier and slower the better. You do not want any expansion a hard cast wadcutter is fine. Some Of the fellows I've hunted with try to bark the squirrel(shoot the tree directly under him and kill him with wood shrapnel) this had a 50/50 kill rate. In lever guns a 218 or 25/20 would be ideal, and would be good medicine for coyote. Any of the cowboy action loads would be perfect for the 38, most will go through the lever guns just fine. There are all kinds of loads online, just go with the heaviest bullets for no expansion. Even a 45 lc loaded down, wouldn't be much different than a 38. Just bear in mind you have the front and back to eat and the ribs will be discarded(not much meat there anyhow).