Author Topic: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?  (Read 4917 times)

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Offline Mohawk

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #60 on: December 22, 2008, 11:19:52 PM »
  If you have a large magnum that you use for larger game, and you use it for whitetails on the side I can understand, because, like Redhawk1 said, it is sighted in. Then again, like SHOOTALL mentioned, range can be a factor. Anyone that has a "gun that will knocked them over when hit anywhere in the body", either has no experience or is just making conversation. That is a hunter's education issue, not a caliber-bullet issue. In a handgun, I haven't seen anything over 110grains, regardless of bullet style, stay in a white-tail. The 158 gr .357 even broke the leg as it was exiting the opposite side. And that was not the "deep penetrating" style, actually a self-defense design, the Remington 158gr Semi-jacketed HP, most of the bullet above the cannelure is soft swaged lead. And as far as the "law" is concerned about what you use to harvest your game, how many states have weapon range limits? Is there a law saying you can't shoot at a deer with a .454 at 1,200 yards? Do you need the law to tell you that is obsurd? Muzzle-loader distance? Or, shotgun distances? So why should someone regulate a caliber or ft-lb limit? I'll take a .38 at 20 yds than a .454 at 75, because I know I have steaks and sausage coming.

Offline Redhawk1

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #61 on: December 23, 2008, 02:15:43 AM »
I'll take a .38 at 20 yds than a .454 at 75, because I know I have steaks and sausage coming.

That is good, you know your limitations, others don't.

Personally I'll take a 454 over that 38 special at 20 yards or 75 yards. Either distance will produce a dead deer. 
The furthest I have taken a deer with a handgun was just under 70 yards, but I practice at 100 yards, and that is my comfort zone.
I prefer shots under 50 yards, that's where the hunting skill comes into play.

My problem with using a 38 special for deer is, when someone says how they kill deer with a 38 special, people with no handgun skills or actual handgun hunting experience or even first time handgun hunters, thinks it is OK to blast at a deer with a 38 special.

I know in the hands of a skilled handgun hunter, the 38 special will kill a deer, but why use such a light round when there are much better choices?
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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Offline Mohawk

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #62 on: December 23, 2008, 02:27:02 AM »
  Good point, Red...The .38 is very capable at bow ranges, -40yds. That is a comfort zone,"good wording, btw".

Offline Mohawk

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #63 on: December 23, 2008, 02:33:18 AM »
 why use such a light round when there are much better choices?
Posted on: Today at 04

Because, Red. That's all we had when we needed it.  ;)   

Offline Redhawk1

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #64 on: December 23, 2008, 03:15:11 AM »
Mohawk, I understand that, but when I am walking in the woods in West Virginia, I carry my 2 .5 inch 454 Super Redhawk.
Makes me feel a lot better than a little 38 special...lol  :D ;D

Now if I only had a 38 special and needed meat, sure I would use a 38 special.
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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Offline ButlerFord45

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #65 on: December 24, 2008, 11:52:36 AM »
Ethics have nothing to do with the calibre, it has to do with the hunter.  Yes, the 38 is a viable deer calibre used within it's and it's handlers limitations.
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Offline Old Griz

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #66 on: December 24, 2008, 08:47:41 PM »
Well, before guns we killed them with sharp sticks. So I guess a .38 Special would work quite well -- at sharp stick range. But with today's technology I don't have to walk to work; I don't have to store food in a root cellar; I don't have to wash clothes in the creek; and I don't have to hunt deer with a .38.  Except for the life-&-death-survival-&-that's-all-I-have situation, sure it might work, but why do it when there is so much better game getters out there today?
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Offline Redhawk1

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #67 on: December 25, 2008, 04:48:55 AM »
Amen Brother... ;)
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #68 on: December 25, 2008, 04:55:00 AM »
Its not a matter of if it can or would work. Based on your criteria, NO, I do not consider a 38spl a big game hunting round.

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Offline Airsporter

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #69 on: December 28, 2008, 03:30:25 AM »
A long-time hunter and gunsmith friend put it this way:  A deer is about the same size as a human being.  Anything that will kill a person will kill a deer. 

That said, the .38 spec. will certainly do it but is not a 'good choice' if you have a choice.

Offline Old Griz

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #70 on: December 28, 2008, 01:16:55 PM »
A long-time hunter and gunsmith friend put it this way:  A deer is about the same size as a human being.  Anything that will kill a person will kill a deer. 

Maybe so, but if someone blew a hole through my heart and lungs, chances are I'm not gonna run for a few hundred yards and then bleed out. Thar might be a little difference.
Griz
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Offline Mohawk

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #71 on: December 28, 2008, 01:41:57 PM »
A long-time hunter and gunsmith friend put it this way:  A deer is about the same size as a human being.  Anything that will kill a person will kill a deer. 

Maybe so, but if someone blew a hole through my heart and lungs, chances are I'm not gonna run for a few hundred yards and then bleed out. Thar might be a little difference.


  You'd be surprised, Griz. Seasoned cops have followed many a blood trails.

Offline Cottonwood

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Re: How many of you would agree or disagree with this statement?
« Reply #72 on: December 29, 2008, 10:54:15 PM »
I have to agree with Redhawk1 on what he said......


Will it work, probably so... but would it be the best suited for the job, simply no.