38+p?

[boomer92266]

is the 38+p a good defense round for what i need it for? i'll be hiking soon here in kentucky. i'll most likely need it for 2 legged critters but may run across 4 legged one at times. around where i live coyoties are the most abundent and i expect them to leave me alone unless rabies hits here as it did some years back. there has been a few reports of bears but they are only reported about once or twice a year are are probably just passing thru. however some new creatures has been confirmed by the dept. of wildlife in my area, a mountain lion was confirmed about 60 miles from where i live this winter. the dept. said it to was pasiing thru as none live here but to be carefull if outside, and a wild hog was killed only 15 miles from where i live during deer season, i have a 357 magnum but i'm recoil sensitive, i can shoot them but would prefer a 38+p if they would work. thanks for any help

 

[btrumanj]

Boomer, I think you'd be fine with the .38+P here in Ky while hiking. About the only thing that could possibly be a problem would be a black bear in some regions but I'd worry more about a few of the people in those areas than the bears.
BT

 

[deac45]

I'm no expert, but I sometimes carry a 3" 38 Spcl in the woods and feel at ease with it. 140 gr loads are the lightest I carry but prefer 158 gr loads. Other than two legged varmits, my biggest concerns are coyotes and feral dogs. I have put down one medium size feral dog with it so I feel confident with it to a degree. However...since discovering the 45 Colt it now gets taken along more than the 38.
I don't care for the 357 either. Not so much because of its recoil, but more so the muzzle blast and concussion seem to bother me more than larger calibers. For me, a 255 gr LSWC at about 950 fps is much more pleasant to shoot than a typical 158 gr 357. Plenty of on target thump, a big, soft(er) boom and a healthy shove rather than a punch in the hand.
Where I'm going and if the gun has to stay concealed or not usually governs which I take along.

deac45

 

[WESHOOT2]

Do you handload your own ammo?
It can help.

Buy it? Good +P 38 Special is very good, but not 357 Magnum range; still good.
Suggest bullet weight range 140--158g.

 

[nn]

Load 4 .38 spl+P and 2 .357

 

[oregon73]

Load 4 .38 spl+P and 2 .357

This is an idea you might want to think about. If you have to burn through four .38 rounds you'll be glad your last two are .357.

Rob

 

[contender]

THe above info on alternate loads,, is a good one. Another thought; Practice with 38+p's but carry the 357's. If you get into something where you NEED to shoot,, you will not notice the recoil. A common occurance in combat, folks do not remember shooting as the stress level of the action negates it.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Hi Boomer. Do you reload? If so I can PM you my favorite .38 Special cast bullet load which actually outperforms most +P's but is standard pressure. If you feel confident with the .38 that is what matters. The ability to hit the target is far more important than power.

 

[COR]

A 38 hit is always more effective than a 357 miss...

A 38 will do what you need it to if you are proficient. Don't get caught up in the numbers (we all do occassionally). Choose a load you can comfortably shoot and then enjoy your hike because in most cases you'll never need that gun for anything other than wayward stumps and a charging squirrel...

black bears will run away form you and the 2 legged varmints that lack any sense will not have as much "ambition" after absorbing a 38 cal foreign object in their body...

Enjoy the hike.

 

[writwing]

Buffalo Bore has a 38 hard cast wade cutter. Take a look at it, it may fit your needs.

 

[Merle1948]

Buffalo Bore has a 38 hard cast wade cutter. Take a look at it, it may fit your needs.

+1 on that, as long as you don't consider bears. I carry the 150 gr (in non +P) in my old S&W model 36. I would suggest you test them at the max range you expect to need as some guns will keyhole at about 50 yards.

Also. Buffalo Bore has a +P 158 gr hardcast semi wadcutter that you might want to look at.

The BB loads are a wee bit pricy, but you won't need too many of them. Ammo is cheap - funerals are not.

8) 8) 8)

 

[P94/GP100]

I've been quite pleased over the years with Remington Golden Saber 125gr +P .38 Special cartridges; in their Remington/UMC line they also have a .38 Special 125gr +P SJHP, which is a great "analog cartridge" (i.e., similar, but less expensive) that's great for more affordable practice and competition.

In a recent test that I did with my GP100 I found that similarly weighted (125 grain) .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum cartridges were at very close to identical POA/POI.

I'd test/zero to your specific cartridges of choice, but the advice to load both .38 Special +P cartridges followed by your choice/number of similarly weight .357 Magnums makes quite a bit of sense to me in terms of covering the bases.

Best, Jon

 

[P94/GP100]

Additionally, while Marshall and Sanow give the Federal 125 gr .357 Magnum semi-jacketed hollowpoint cartridge a 96% first shot stop capability and the Remington Golden Saber 125 gr .38 Special +P cartridge a 80% first shot stop capability, in most situations I prefer to opt for the .38 Special +P, due to it's decreased shock/blast/recoil.

Simply, if the anticipated shock/pain inherent to the .357 Magnum cartridge induces flinching to the point of causing a significant shot displacement at POI from POA (especially if it causes one to miss), then your realistic first shot stop capability with that cartridge becomes...exactly 0%. Just some food for thought-only you can determine what works/works best for you-but regardless, take the time to testfire and properly zero.

Best, Jon

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I agree with the other posters. I carry 357's and shoot 38's. It only takes a few seconds to unload and reload with 38's for plinking or pratcice then when through shooting I load it back up with the 357's. I have never needed the 357's but feel better that they are there if needed. About once a year I will shoot out my 357's and replace them. but 99% of my shooting is with 38's.

 

[FergusonTO35]

The Remington UMC .38 +P SJHP load is a really good one. I used to shoot alot of them out of my SP101 and found that they were very accurate and expanded nicely in many different test media.

 

[Three50seven]

If you get into something where you NEED to shoot,, you will not notice the recoil.

+1