Is the muzzle velocity of .38 special too slow to get adequate penetration? My friend is handicapped and cannot hunt with a long gun. He has a .38 special revolver but because of his handicap he cannot handle a cartridge any more powerful.
2007-11-10 10:47:16 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
While there are certainly more powerful handgun cartridges out there, this pistol will kill a black bear. It all really depends on shot placement. The Eskimos hunt polar bears with .22 LR and do so successfully.
2007-11-10 11:54:22 · answer #1 · answered by Toe Cutter 5 · 1⤊ 5⤋
I know guys who don't think a 30-30 is enough gun to hunt bear with. I personally hunt deer with a relatively small caliber rifle--certainly not enough gun for a bear or mountain lion should one become aggressive. So I carry a .41 magnum as a back-up and it's loaded with a 280 grain bullet stuffed with enough powder reach established maximums. But I wouldn't go bear hunting with that round--for bear hunting it's a .44 magnum with a 9 1/2" barrel. Bear hunting with a .38 Special is just asking for trouble.
2007-11-10 17:54:42 · answer #2 · answered by John T 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Seriously and with all due respect. If you friend is debilitated and so handicapped that he can't handle anything of larger caliber than a 38 Special, he has NO business being out hunting Bear. Not only is the 38 Special lacking and hardly a sensible choice for hunting any game of any size,how does you friend intend to get away if he needs to. The handicaps that limit his use of a gun must certainly limit his mobility too....
The idea that anyone in this physical condition, would even attempt such a foolish thing is mind boggling.....BAD IDEA
2007-11-10 11:29:46 · answer #3 · answered by JD 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I think the .38 Special cartridge, especially when fired from a handgun, lacks sufficient shocking power to use as a bear hunting weapon. Even black bear which can easily go to 300+ lbs.
The minimum handgun for that type of hunting would be a .41 Magnum or .44 Magnum.
Since your friend is handicapped, and presumably somewhat immobile, I would suggest that someone with a big bore rifle be with him/her for safety, even with the larger weapon.
2007-11-10 10:57:33 · answer #4 · answered by winger 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Im with JD on this one.... if you are handicapped and cannot hunt with a rifle..... I hope he can run very fast.... trying to hunt with a .38 hand gun that dosent have any stopping power or muzzle velocity is not a good idea.... can this person shoot a 44 magnum? A better hand gun would be a better choice.... but a hand gun against a Bear is risky.... you will have to get within 50 meters of the bear, he will see you ..... you shoot and miss..... you better be able to climb a tree darn fast!!! if not it's curtains for you..... I would not try this....
2007-11-10 11:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by Stampy Skunk 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Yes, but the same can be said for .22LR. If you hit it in the right place it will be curtains for the bear. However the chances of this happening are NOT in your favor with even a "hot" .38 spl round, so it could mean curtains for you.
2007-11-10 12:22:05 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't suggest a .38 to hunt bear with. There's not enough power there to be adequate, in my opinion.
Kessie
You must understand that, because of hunters, we enjoy many healthy species of wildlife. Without the management opportunities that hunting provides, we would be reduced to mass elimination of many species every few years to manage populations to maintain safety and economy (for us). If you disagree with hunting, that is one thing, but at least educate yourself on the reasons to support it before arguing.
2007-11-10 10:56:17 · answer #7 · answered by Corvo 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would not bet my life on stopping even a black bear with a .38 S&W SPL.
And if you are talking about going bear hunting with a .38 SPL, I would consider it to be not only fool hardy, but highly unethical.
If your friend can't handle the recoil of anything heavier than a .38 SPL, he should stick to small game hunting and a .22 rifle.
Doc
2007-11-10 14:08:54 · answer #8 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Theoretically it is possible to kill a bear with a .38 Special but it is highly likely he will not die right away and then your friend will be on his way to becoming bear poop. The likelyhood is even greater that the bear will not die and after making a meal of you friend he will spend many days or weeks suffering from the non-lethal wound. No, I'm in agreement with JD, your friend and you are on a fools mission. DON'T DO IT!!!
2007-11-10 14:16:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
All he really needs for that purpose is a 357 Magnum and he can also shoot 38 caliber ammo in it also.* You get two handguns for the price of one.* Have him trade in the 38 for a 357 Magnum or just buy one & keep the 38.* Use the 357 Magnum for Deer or Bear.* It is lethal enough.* Get a 4" or six " Revolver in Smith & Wesson or Ruger.* I prefer the S&W.* They are comfortable to shoot & well balanced.*
2007-11-10 11:17:56 · answer #10 · answered by dca2003311@yahoo.com 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋