38 special woods carry load

[Gene R]

I was bouncing between the 22 and the 357 both in the Ruger sp101 4.2" while running my coyote traps this year. I am adding a hog trap at the club and was woundering how the 38 special Magtech 158gr sjsp would work as a all purpose woods carry round?
The reason is that for some reason the coyotes seemed to just drop instantly when head shot with the 22 and seemed to kick a lot when shot with the 357, I would never have figured it that way. Now with adding a hog trap and having to dispatch some wild hogs at close range while in the trap, I am considering the 38 as a in between load that would work on both. Also as just a general plinker/working round such as snakes, coons, or targets of opportunity.
I could just use the 158gr 357 sjsp that I was using but I often forget my ear plugs and that starts to hurt at times and I tend not to shoot as much while bumbing around.
 
Any suggestions?
 
Thanks
Gene
 

[kynardsj]

Within the porper range a 158 sjsp will do just fine at 850 or so fps. If you reload you can get even more out of it.

[SHOOTALL]

I have shot two deer with finishing shots , one with a 357 and the other with a 38 nither went thru. the head to come out. Both were semi wad cutter lead HP . Back in the day we shot 400 lb hogs with a 22 short solid at hog killing time. I would think a simi wad cutter or round nose bullet would give better penetration . I have seen 6-800 lb steers killed with a 22 LR solid . You need a killing load not a stopping load , well ya hope anyway.

[RevJim]

 I use the DoubleTap 158 HCSWC .38 +P load out of my (now its my daughters but I still play with it) Ruger Security Six .38 special, 4"bbl. I get right at 1000 fps out of it, chornoed and it shoots right with the Remington 158 lead HP .38 +P. Never shot anything with it yet.
 When I was recovering from a surgery I used a Bearttoth 160 HCLFN around 750 fps and it put golf ball sized holes through fox. I believe the DT 158 +P hard cast is your best bet. I've shot alot of stuff with a .22, and more with a .22 magnum. I prefer the .22 magnum,even in a handgun, but use the fmj bullet. As stated, you want penetration.

[Gene R]

I have killed hogs (hunting) with the 357 federal eagle 158 sjsp, and my sons have killed a lot more than me with the same load. I have no doubts about the 357.
 
But I have little experience with the 38, and have no intention of hunting hogs or deer with it. Just dispatching them while trapping but a fun shooting woods carry load as well.
 
I do reload, but have not for the 38 yet. I did try some 357 loaded down (13.5 gr of h110) but am having trouble getting a low end 357 load to shoot accuratley. I will play with that when I have more time. The magtech 158gr 38's and the Federal eagle 357mag 158's both shoot pretty accurate for me. And the 38 are a fun little round to shoot, I just want to get any info before shoothing an animal with it.
 
Thanks Gene R

[Mikey]

Gene:  I think the 38 Spl is the way to go. The MagTech load is a good all purpose load for the 38 but for heavier game like hogs, a 38 Spl with a 200 gn Keith style swc, or LBT style if you prefer, over a Winchester factory powder load of WW231 or one of the older Lyman Manual loads with 2400 will give you everything you would ask for, and more than you might imagine.  The great thing about the factory load with the heavy bullet is that it is a standard pressure load with the same pressure rating as the standard 158 gn cast loadings from Winchester and is just as easy to shoot as a plinker.  Just the load for your Sp101.  Great bumming load when you're just out taking your gun for a walk......

[kynardsj]

Gene R, I've been reloading for 37 years or so. Only thing I shoot that isn't a reload is 22's and shotgun shells. A couple of years ago I developed a 38 Special load for the 158 gr JHP's over a dose of Lilgun. Shoot it in my Security Six and my Blackhawk. No pressure signs whatsoever but it's scooting. I don't own a chrony so I can't say what the fps is. It's definately a +P. PM me if you're interested.

[Dave in WV]

I would load Cast Performance Bullet Co or Montana Bullet Works LBT style 158 - 160 gr bullets and use the 357 mag cases. I'd load them to at least 1000 fps. JSP bullet expansion in my experience is an iffy thing. YMMV

[Lonegun1894]

Count this as another vote for a 158gr or heavier bullet at 850+fps.  Personally, I like the Lee 158gr RNFP if you dont want a gas check, or the Lee 158gr SWC if you do, but either is very accurate out of every .357 I have--Security Six 4", GP-100 6", Vaquero 4 5/8", and several lever-actions.  I used the RNFP on my last buck out of my Security Six 4" at 1100fps (per the load books) with a head on shot diredtly in the chest from 45yds away, and the bullet was recovered right next to the rear hip, so provided almost complete lenghtwise penetration.  The only thing I have used the SWC for was a coyote, which was hit at just over 100yds away, facing me with its head down.  The bullet hit the spine between the shoulders, did a complete pass through, and was not recovered, fired out of a Rossi '92 20".  The buck only took three steps before collapsing, which I call good performance.  The coyote dropped in place and I never saw him even twitch.  If it will penetrate like that on coyote and deer, I have no doubt that it will work for a well placed shot on any coyote or hog.  Either of these bullets gives a decent size meplat, so should work well for your purposes.  I personally prefer the .357, but that 1100fps load isn't much more than the 1000fps .38 load mentioned above, so should work equally well.

[Swampman]

I shoot a 172 grain Keith SWC that I cast myself over 4 grains of Unique.

[buck460XVR]

I could just use the 158gr 357 sjsp that I was using but I often forget my ear plugs and that starts to hurt at times and I tend not to shoot as much while bumbing around.
 
Any suggestions?
 
Thanks
Gene

I suggest not forgetting your earplugs if the only reason you want to shoot .38s is because .357s make your ears hurt.

[Gene R]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I will shoot the magtech 38's until I can develop a low to medium and accurate 357 load. I dont really want to start reloading 38's, I will see about the 357 158gr at somewhere between 1000 and 1100fps.
 
Thanks Again.

[t-reg]

Why not load .38's?  Would make for easy differentiation between your quiet easy shooters and your hog busters. 


Magnus 158 gr swaged SWCHP bullets work great at modest (quiet) .38 Spl velocities and would serve well for your stated purposes in either cartridge.

[painted horse]

I shoot a 172 grain Keith SWC that I cast myself over 4 grains of Unique.

My wife likes the Lee RNFP 158gr. (pops out at 160 ish +) over 5gr. Unique in her 357's. Accurate and very easy to shoot. I've not chronyed them.

[chutesnreloads]

For hogs,in a trap,I'd never use anything but the .22.

[Mike in Virginia]

In my experience, a .357 is not a good small animal gun.  It's moving to fast and exits spending it's energy on the other side of the animal.  I don't like to admit it, and I'm ashamed of the way I acted as a kid, but I used to hunt feral house cats on a farm near where I lived.  If the factory 158 grain hollowpoint struck them behind the shoulder, they would run a considerable distance before croaking.  I found the 158 grain .38's lead hollowpoints (non +P) would stop them in their tracks, as would a hit from a .22 hollowpoint.   

[SHOOTALL]

In my experience, a .357 is not a good small animal gun.  It's moving to fast and exits spending it's energy on the other side of the animal.  I don't like to admit it, and I'm ashamed of the way I acted as a kid, but I used to hunt feral house cats on a farm near where I lived.  If the factory 158 grain hollowpoint struck them behind the shoulder, they would run a considerable distance before croaking.  I found the 158 grain .38's lead hollowpoints (non +P) would stop them in their tracks, as would a hit from a .22 hollowpoint.   

same experince ! and I'm not ashamed to have controled a problem that caused alot of damage. Shame the laws changed .

[spacer]

thread necro!!! 

We had a similar issue where I grew up, with dogs having been abandoned and forming packs. It sucks to be the one to have to take on the responsibility, but when children and livestock are at stake, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. My 6" Security Six with 158 gr SJHPs was my favored "all around" gun for carrying around the homestead. It was accurate at pretty good range, never failed to do the job humanely, and was friendly to my pizza-delivery budget.