Best .38 bullet for unexpected coyotes/hogs

[tacotime]

I carry the little Mod 36 on hikes.  For the occasional unexpected encounter with coyotes (or even small hogs) what non +P load is best for these critters?   OK, I know .38 is not preferred for these, but that's what I have. And I'd like to stay non +P.
 
I load them.  I tend to like the 158 gr. LSWCHP.  But for the coyotes I could see a full power, faster load with a 110gr jacketed HP might be decent, though not so well for the hogs.
 
Opinions?
 
Thanks.

[Hellgate]

110 or 124 JHP would be what I would use. You want the bullet to open up a bit rather than just punch a hole. You may want a faster burning powder depending on whether the barrel is short or long to get the most velocity.

[Ladobe]

What Hellgate said.  Cast bullets also will get it done.   Actually, with a good solid hit almost anything would.   Preds/sm hogs don't take all that much killing. 

[onegreatshot]

I'd say hellgate has it on the nose 124gr with a faster powder. Oh and shoot all 5 or 6 at em. My old Sgt. used to say you clean your gun for 6 as you do for 1

[keith44]

In .38 Special (non-plus P) I have used these loads, for general woods carry, and mercy shots on deer.  All my favored loads use 158 grain lead cast SWC's.


H2400 (9.5 grains) 950 fps  (yes this is non +P)


W571 (6.7 grains) 800 fps


H4227 (10 grains) 950 fps


I never could get the accuracy I wanted from lighter bullets, and these will expand nicely if cast soft.


the 571 load has the lightest recoil, but the best accuracy was from the 2400 load, use standard primers (non-magnum) with all loads.

[jlwilliams]

I wouldn't change projectile weight from your regular.  Go with what you can hit best with.  Small percieved gains from one weight or construction verses another are trumped by shot placement.  Shot placement trumps all.  A lighter bullet will change your point of impact from where you are used to it being.  Load what you laod and put it where it counts. 

[mechanic]

Coyotes are thin skinned, most anything will work if the shot is right,  hogs will drop from a 22 if you hit the brain just at the bridge of the nose...so a decent bullet of any kind in a 38 is enough.....now having said that, if you've got a mad hog, say a sow with shoats you might want to do as suggested above and empty them all in the head...
 
Ben

[Hellgate]

JLWilliams has a point: lighter bullets will hit at a different POI than heavier bullets. Light bullets hit low, heavys hit high. Im not sure how much effect there is between jacketed vs lead of the same weight. So know where your gun hits first and foremost then practice to get used to it.

[D Fischer]

About all I have ever shot in my 38's has been cast. 148gr wad cutter's are great on smakll game. 155gr Keith type are great also and I cannot imagine a coyote of hog, even a big hog, taking a good shot fron that bullet and living to tell about it!

[45-70.gov]

stay with what you have if it shoots good


if  not  might next choice would be full wad-cutters


all  my 38s and 357s  shoot  180 WFN