g'day i just got a rossi 92 stainless in 357/38spl with a 16" barrel i was just wondering what type of game it would be effective on using 38spl +p hollow points. would it be underpowered for pigs? and what sort of effective range would it have?

I have one. Nice little shooter. Why not just shoot .357 magnums? (unless you can't get any). I suspect that - from what I read - the .38s would be a bit light for pigs. But...I have no first hand experience there.
When I took my Rossi out for deer (once only and saw none that morning), it was with .357s and 158 grain SPs. I expected to keep my shots to within 50 yards. I have read about hunters taking deer at 100 and more (never read about how many get wounded at that range, do we?).
Pete

Oh my I don't think that .38 hollowpoints would work well, unless they were very small. Stick with solids, and magnums. 180gr. cast bullets should do great. I don't know what you have available, though.

For magnums, the little rifle will pick up 300-400fps over the typical handgun. Even out to 100 yards, you'll still have speeds exceeding what a handgun would at the muzzle. I don't know how much velocity a .38 would pick up, though.

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I'd say you get about the same with 38SP in a rifle! I'll have to shoot some over the Chrony. But to the OP if you have to use 38SP's use 158 gr SP or cast and keep the range short under 50 yards. I would do head shots as well cause I don't think you get good penertration through the shield!

oh ok yer well i can get 357s but the fact is i can get 38's for free here in australia and the rifle will mostly be used for plinking. so ok im probly beter off just getting a box of magnums for when im in pig country.

Hollow points should be on the BOTTOM of your choice list.
IF they must be on the list at all.

The faster you drive a HP the faster it STOPS.
Pepe Ray

oh ok yer well i can get 357s but the fact is i can get 38's for free from the police here in australia and the rifle will mostly be used for plinking. so ok im probly beter off just getting a box of magnums for when im in pig country.


That ought to make for a lot of shooting practice but you ought to know it's not really free since the police are using your tax dollars to buy the .38 sp ammo in the first place.

I once had a winchester 94 in .357. Shot a sow in the ear in a hog trap, 125 pound pig at 10 feet. Using 38 +P HP. Two shots later the hog was dead and I had decided to trade up to a 44 Mag. The 357 Im sure would have been better, but I still prefer a larger gun. The 357 is great for two legged critters, but for a hunting situation I think its underpowered. Not to say it wont work, just that their are better options.

Hi sport,
my wife has a blued Rossi 16" .357M and it's a beaut'.
It sits in "Y" mounts on the handlebar of her Honda 450 ATV. Very handy and fast into action.

Tried plenty of factory and reloads and find the .357 Magnm 158gn loads best on grunters at short range.
I'd not recomend .38 +P's unless you can run fast!
Wasn't aware VIC-POL gave away ammo? Possesion could result in a stay in the clink!

Kirby.

Cheap 158gr 357 Magnums. The +p's ain't too swift.

If you used .38 +P 158 SWC you would get around three feet of penetration. Hollow point - no - but a +P
.38 at about 1,100 fps would work. But not the best choice. Stick with non-expnding hard cast bullets.

I saw a New Jersy state trooper shoot an old sow,350 lbs. or so, that was a fugitive from a livestock trailer roll over.He gave her six from his 357 mag at 20 feet and she put him on top of his car.He reloaded and gave her six more.After a while she lost interest in him and walked off a ways and layed down.A little while latter she gave up the ghost but not quickly even after 12 shots at 20 feet and less.They are very tough and can have an attitude to match.I like 44's or 45/70's especialy for a big boar.Shot one once that a friend had shot a few days before with a 30/06,150 gr Remington factory ammo.The bullet was stuck in the shield over the hogs shoulder.I shot it in the ear with a 308 Win.

the bigger the better for pigs.I would not even attempt to shoot one with a .38 hollow point,prolly not even a solid bullet.just not enough horsepower.

I'd go with the .357 and a heavy bullet. If you must use the .38, I will tell you only that I have had excellent penetration using the Cast Performance, and the Beartooth flat points in the 200 grain versions, even out of my little 1-7/8" .38 snubbie at 600 FPS.

use some corbon hunting 357 180 grain should do the job within 25 yds