38 special for deer

[Mikey]

Gentlemen:  The question was simply whether a 38 Special would work on a deer out to 20-30 yds. Let us please not attempt to answer the question by disparaging one thing or while recommending something entirely different and please let us not slide into the sublime. 

That being said, Limes are good with Gin and Oranges are good with Vodka.  Apples are good in pies but nobody shoots apple pies with arrows - heard of one feller who shot a apple with a arrow once but he brought along a backup arrow just in case he missed.  I've shot apples floating in a pond - makes good target practice and have even shot oranges and a few grapefruit. 

I have not however shot a Whitetail with a 38 but have no doubt the right bullet, placed properly, at the distance mentioned will bring the animal down.  End of story???

[Krooz]

Sorry Mikey - I just want to chime in too. Yeah, I like the idea... why not? Most all of us are hunting in our own "self interest" (I doubt too many of us are out there subsistence hunting). We're out there for the sport and the fun... and the meat. Respect the animal, sure... place shots well, sure.... is it legal, sure  - than go for it! There's a reason it's legal. I started out bow hunting, then muzzle loader, then rifle, then handgun now I make opportunities for all forms. Why - because it's fun and it keeps it interesting. I've almost quit bow hunting several times because so many deer are lost. Not because the bow isn't capable but because these "seasoned" hunters in our club take less than ideal shots, or as so often happens, some variable was off. But then again, that's what attracts so many people to bow hunting- the challenge. The draw to handgun hunting"? - the challenge,  a .38? - even more so.

Sorry, most of the time I just lurk here but if my .38 wasn't a snub I'd work to use it at times. That said I'm still hunting hogs with a .22 mag rifle (yes, ear hole) whilst scouting for upcoming handgun season. (always a big debate over that round's capabilities as well).

Just my .02.....

[freedom475]

I love to hunt with my 44cal Rem 58 Cap&Ball Revolver... This almost mirrors the power of the 38.. It shoots a 147Gr. .457 ball at 930fps.  I have killed  several whitetails with it and shots into the lungs are complete pass-thoughs. ... Love the C&B's

[Dee]

I see it as no dis-service to bow hunters at all. It is nothing more than a comparison to the ideology of some. It is like some saying it is ethical to shoot a 1000 lb bull elk with a bow, but not a 3030. It makes no sense. Hit in the same place, at the same range a 3030 will far exceed the damage an arrow of any configuration would cause.
As I said. Not an attack on bow hunters, but on ideology.
The 38 special at bow ranges will do anything a bow will do, and just as well if not better.
I think the real question to this thread should be, how much effort is the hunter carrying this round willing to put into the hunt. If he for example hunts like an archer, he is more than adequately armed. Like the archer, he compensates for his limitations.

[Krooz]

freedom475 - very cool. I always wanted to do that but both states I've lived in won't allow it. I always figured the Model 1847 Walker would do the trick just fine at a reasonable distance. Irrelevant now since it's been liberated from me by some low-life.....

[Ak.Hiker]

We do have some very good 38 Special loads on the market today. Several that have some snap to them are the 158 grain LSWHP +P, 158 grain +P Keith hardcast by Double Tap along with the very well thought of Speer 135 grain +P Gold Dot load. CorBon makes a Barnes copper bullet DPX load. Winchester and Hornady have some new +P loads on the market as well. Lots of choices even for folks that do not hand load.