38/44 for deer

johnnyjr

johnnyjr

Well-Known Member
Got my mind made up on the 38/44 for hunting. My health is getting worse,so I got a permit to hunt from my truck. 50 to 60 yards is going to be my limit. Will be using the 358429 bullet with longshot powder. Shoots pretty good. Will no longer be working with the 243,so I have two NOE molds with gas checks going up for sale. Be staying with my 357 mod 686 as well as my rossi 92. Been seeing a couple big bucks. Gave most away...johnny
 
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obssd1958

Well-Known Member
Johnny,
Sorry to hear about the health challenges. I hope you have someone to give you a hand.
I helped my good friend Bill's hunting partner with his cow elk this year. He and Bill had hunted together for more than 30 years up in the Seven Devils area. Since Bill passed away last October, he didn't have anyone to hunt with, and asked me. At 80 years old, he shot a big 'ol lead cow - at 30 feet! It took the two of us all day to get her out of the draw that she was in, but we did get it done. I hope your season is just as successful!
 
CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I'm in a similar sitch, sir. I've ventured out a bit with Marie along, but it has been too hot (even at 7K' up) to think about harvesting a muley--assuming one could be located. It is nice to just get out and walk about. Two weekends left.
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Just to add to it- the 38/44 type loads with a good FN SWC like the 358429 have a long history of good performance in game. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you get a decent shot!
 
Missionary

Missionary

Well-Known Member
I would use the heaviest cast that rifle will shoot well with and smile all the way to the table.
A 200 grainer out of the 38 will do just like a 200 grainer out of the 44 WCF. We have both.
Put a couple of them into the breather / pump area and you are in for a bunch of work.
 
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Gary

Gary

SE Kansas
When you say "you'll" get caught in time, are you referring to me personally? I can assure you I WON'T get caught.:cool:
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
you know the 358429 in 38 special cases [IE the 38-44] is what saint Elmer used with his 16-1 alloy.
some bastardized it and went to 20-1 alloy... or like our own Glen Fryxell who went even further and hollow pointed it.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
Gary said:
Some around here take Deer with a .22LR; most of those guys haven't been caught yet. :rofl:
Click to expand...
Where and when I grew up in lowcountry S.C. it wasn't illegal and I knew several people who did it. Favored method for most was drives and 00 buck shot in whatever bird gun they happened to have, though.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
It helps to have a four and a half month long season with no bag limits in most counties and ridiculously high bsg limits in the counties that did. Might have changed since then, but I don't know why they ever bothered to close the season.
 
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beagle

Active Member
No doubt it will work fine for you. I've put down several large steers with .38-44 loads out of my .357 Marlin carbine. No problems at all. IMO the .38 Special cartridge has been hamstrung in the velocity department for years by the ammo makers because of older guns. Think you're on safe ground with either 358429 or the RCBS 38-162-SWC in a .38/44 load in the .38 Special. I favor the latter but there's not much difference./beagle
 
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