Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
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    On top of a hill, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    Quote Originally Posted by gghbi View Post
    When I researched this many moons ago, it was determined that 38 spl is underpowered for deer hunting. 357 Mag is the floor for hunting and with at least a 6 inch barrel. A good hunter wants a fast clean kill and the 38 spl is just not enough to insure this. If it was all I had and I was starving, it would work, but it is far from my first choice.
    Agreed .357 really the least you want to use for a quicker ethical harvest.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Mohnton, Pennsylvania
    (Berks County)
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    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    Catching deers with a 38, nobody needs 38 specials to catch a deeera.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
    Posts
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    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    It's all yours, raxar. I never broached possibilities.

    Done.

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Pocono Mtns., Pennsylvania
    (Wayne County)
    Posts
    112
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    1363139

    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    So, anyway, I was asked this question in a local restaurant by a couple of NY'ers(38 special for deers) and thought I'd post it here to see what answers I got. Let me tell ya what I said too. After chuckling to myself I told theses guys, we don't catch deers in Pa. we shoot and kill em with guns. And if you got within 5 yards you might be able to kill a deer with a 38 special but don't even think to try that unless you're an experienced hunter. I don't hunt with a revolver but if I did I wouldn't use anything less than a 44 Mag. for deer.
    Last edited by Badger Tuff; November 14th, 2017 at 08:18 PM.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Brookville, Pennsylvania
    (Jefferson County)
    Age
    51
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    20,076
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    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    Deer have been killed with much less. Everything is relative to the useful range of the cartridge.
    RIP: SFN, 1861, twoeggsup, Lambo, jamesjo, JayBell, 32 Magnum, Pro2A, mrwildroot, dregan, Frenchy, Fragger, ungawa, Mtn Jack, Grapeshot, R.W.J., PennsyPlinker, Statkowski, Deanimator, roland, aubie515

    Don't end up in my signature!

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    private
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    12249691

    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.......or a flamethrower.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
    (Dauphin County)
    Posts
    580
    Rep Power
    5901613

    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    I have had a successful archery season and have one doe tag left for the 2nd week of the rifle season. I am planning on using either an 8" .357 mag loaded with a 180 grain swift A-Frame bullet, a 10" 357 Maximum same bullet or an 8" .41 Mag with a Swift A-Frame 210 grain bullet. I will be keeping the ranges I am willing to shoot to under 50 yards and plan to handgun hunt much like I archery hunt and have been anticipating this type of hunting for years and have been working up loads and practicing with each gun so I gain the confidence and know my range limit. I am certain all of these cartridges will work. I would not consider using in .38 special.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Out There, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    534
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    7468636

    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    No I would not use a .38. I carried a .357 hunting in the past, but never shot an animal with it. As others have said, it will kill a deer under the best circumstances but it is far far far from an ethical choice.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Mohnton, Pennsylvania
    (Berks County)
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    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    In ny they hoof 'em with 38s, makes them ez to catch. Fith round in the sack really slows them down so they chase them with J frames. Ny is catch and release I think.

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    North Penn area, Pennsylvania
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    64
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    Default Re: 38 Special for catching deers?

    A .38 to the back of the deer's head might be good for a coup-de-gras on one downed but not out by an arrow or other non-kill shot.
    I don't speak English , I talk American!

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