Author Topic: .38 for Coyotes? (Read 1186 times)

Old Griz · « **on:** June 18, 2004, 07:56:01 PM »

:cb2: Howdy yawl. Gotta question. I have a Marlin 1894 CB in .38/.357. Haven't shot hardly any .357s in it. I bought it for CAS, however, I found a .38 factory load that shoots great in this gun. Armscorp Percision 158-gr LRN .38 Special. I shot a 3" group at 100 yards with open sights. Shooting at that fuzzy little dot, all 8 shots I fired were in the black in that 3" group. I'm lucky to do that with my scoped .30-30! :oops:

Anyway, here's my question: Is a 158-gr .38 enough bullet for coyotes? I know some folks say that a .22 is enough. Please, I'm not trying to flame anyone. I know some of you have been bringing down coyotes with .22s for the last hunert years at distances I cain't even see anymore, but this question ain't for you guys. (That always brings out the guys who kill deer with rubber band guns at 50 yards, too.) (OK .22 guys--I'm just funnin'.) So, for the rest of us who like good, quick, humane kills, is that .38 LRN enough at say, 100 yards maximum?

mellow_1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2004, 05:10:26 PM »

I am intersted in this topic as well. After some research the 357/38 seems like a winner for an effective rodent gun. I have also considered the single shot version rifles for this and would love to hear more opinions from people who have actually used this calliber (especially 38) for rodents.
From what I have READ it seems to me the it will out perform the 22 mag quite easily and cost is similar for factory ammo.

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2004, 10:30:18 AM »

I wouldn't go hunting Jack Rabbits with a .38 sp. using 158 hard ball(LRN) ammo. Why not move up to good .357 magnum ammo using something in the 125 gr. JHP bullets? A much better choice in my opinion. Small groups and tighe lines to you. Lawdog

Old Griz · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2004, 04:26:28 AM »

:cb2: I agree about the .357 being better than the .38. It's just that the .38s were so darn accurate that I bought a case of it. The original intent was just for plinking and practice. I was worried about the LRN not being very good for putting down game as tough as a coyote. That's why I asked, so that I could get advise from heads brighter and wiser than my own.

Now the same company does make a good 125-gr .357 JSP . . .

Doc T · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:14:28 AM »

A 38 out af a rifle should be plenty as long as the range is not too far. In other words, as far as you can shoot accurately. I would shoot either hollow points or semi-wadcutters and leave the LRNs for inanimate targets. A freind of mine killed one with a 9mm handgun while he was goose hunting. (Don't ask why he had a 9mm while goose hunting, I have no idea.)

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:39:09 AM »

Doc T,

Quote

(Don't ask why he had a 9mm while goose hunting, I have no idea.)

Protection against a possible goose attack?(sorry I couldn't help myself) Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog
:-D

Old Griz · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2004, 10:00:28 AM »

:cb2: Yeah, who wants to get goosed while hunting? :eek:

oso45-70 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2004, 05:54:48 PM »

Griz. I see no reason for not useing the 38 or 357 for varmints, It strikes me that if you are getting good accuracy with the 38s you should be able to to it with the 357. One thing about it, If you don't like the way it performes you don't have to use it. I know for a fact you have plenty of guns that will do the job. OH YEA watch the goose Griz. Have a good one.
Joe

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2004, 08:12:53 PM »

:cb2: True . . . I could always use my .45-70. That would probably stop 'em.

And I'll make it a point not to bend over when I shoot! :eek:

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:28:52 AM »

I haven't used a 38 on them, but don't see any reason not to. My choice would be a lightweight self-defense bullet. Perhaps a 110 grain Hornady XTP. I think something that opens up and expands quickly is more important than penetration on coyote-sized game. Let us know how it works out. By the way, in my area of the northern midwest, I don't think I could get close enough to shoot a coyote with an iron-sighted revolver. But then again, they vary a lot by region.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2004, 05:49:41 PM »

I try not to toss my hat in the ring unless I'm absolutely sure about what's being discussed. Just about anything regarding 38s or 357s out of a rifle I just happen to be very experienced with.

The 357/38 in a good lever action is my very favorite gun for hunting everything(literally) from squirrels to deer, and I've killed truck loads of game, and varmints with both 38s, and 357s.

About the only animal around here(SW Virginia) that I haven't killed with it is the coyote, but I've seen it perform on enough other game to have a very educated opinion on what to expect on coyotes. I can tell you for certain that 357s, 125g SPs(1500fps) and a rifle add up to pure magic on foxes, and bobcats out to 100 yards or so.

The 38 in any form wouldn't be my first choice, but it'll do OK if you keep your ranges under 75 yards with the bullet you've mentioned. I said OK, not great. My first choice would be 357s. HPs if you just want to knock'em flat, and SPs for quick kills, but still save the hides.

I've yet to find(and I've tried hard) any 110g bullets that will group worth a hoot in any 357 rifle. Stick with 125g-158g bullets, and you'll likely have a fairly accurate load in 38s or 357s. If you handload, plain old Remington(bulk) 125g SPs from Midway are very hard to beat if you keep the velocity at or below 1600 fps(357s). At that velocity, it's plenty enough power to drop a predator within 100 yards, and the hide won't be ruined either.

If you have to use 38s on coyotes, I'd highly recomend a good HP. Your current 38 ammo will work OK, but he's likely gonna go a ways before he falls.

mellow_1 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2004, 08:02:04 PM »

I am considering a .357 mag for varmits ect. My question to you knowledgeable folks is are Rossi rifles any good? The reason I ask this is I can't find any NEF's in that calliber and can't afford a a lever.
Sorry for the thread highjack, just all this talk about the 38/357 rifles has got me wanting one even more than before.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Old Griz · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:49:01 AM »

:cb2: Some of these guys can tell you a lot more about Rossi guns today than I. Many years ago I managed the hunting dept. of a store in a nation wide sporting goods chain, and we carried Rossi way back then. The pistols were junk. Firing pins would often break, and have you ever heard of a barrel shroud falling off a pistol before?!!? The rifles looked kinda strange because the wood was stained so dark they looked black. I never got a rifle back, but then, I can't remember ever selling one either. However, I have heard that Rossi has been bought by Taurus, and that their quality has improved. I'm down on Taurus, too, so I still wouldn't buy one. My suggestion--save up a little longer and buy a good old dependable Marlin.

And, oh yes, you'll love shootin' the .38/.357 lever gun! With .38s it's like shooting a .22 with really big bullets. No recoil at all. The few .357s I've fired in it were pretty mild, too.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2004, 01:45:09 PM »

Mello_1
I have two rossi's one in 38/357 and one in 44-40 and both seem to do ok.
I couldent ask for any more of them. They feed well and are accurate.
Woulden't hesitate using them for a second, Good luck.......Joe.................

mellow_1 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2004, 06:43:53 PM »

Well thanks alot fellas, I really appreciate it.
I would love to have the marlin (although I wish it where in a pistol grip), but alas I am a somewhat poor man.
I may buy a Rossi and save up for a marlin later and then sell the Rossi.....Maybe...don't know. I think that NEF used to produce such a rifle too if I am not mistaken so a used one may be an option too.
Decisions.....Decisions.... Thanks for the input folks.

mellow_1 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 27, 2004, 10:34:45 AM »

Now that complicates things a bit for me. I used to own a winchester 94 AE in 30-30 and I did like the straight grip. I also have a brand new henry lever action .22 straight grip and I like it too, I guess it's just that the pistol grip looks nicer to me....I haven't actually held one...yet.
As far as the .357 mag caliber is concerned I would be buying it to fill the need that would other wise be filled with a 22 mag since the shells are about the same price (38sp) with more power and versatility.
The deal about cowboy action shootin won't really apply to me (I don't think), however I like levers as a personal preference.
so if I do get one sooner rather than later it will probably be a break barrel at least till I can afford a lever.
Thanks for your imput, it really is a hard decision for me...... lever....break barrel.....cost= time I have to wait.
Take care friend, thanks again. :grin:

Mohawk · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2004, 08:15:39 PM »

I like the .38 158gr. SWC. I've used it quite a bit on possums in a 4"revolver. I recently took a pesky possum with this load and it took one shot to wound him(took the "fight" out of him) then three more to kill him. Damage was great, but it did take four good hits. That said, it took four .45 Hydrashoks to put down a swamp rabbit my hunting partner shot during our last hog hunt. So.......who knows.

Old Griz · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2004, 05:17:08 PM »

:cb2: Be careful! That rabbit might just have a big brother!

MSP Ret · « **Reply #18 on:** October 03, 2004, 08:06:38 AM »

The word from NEF is that due to demand they are going to start producing thier .357 Handi again!!!....<><.... :grin:

Mohawk · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2004, 04:33:30 PM »

It's about time.

Mohawk · « **Reply #20 on:** October 04, 2004, 04:42:33 PM »

It's about time.