Thread: hunting with subsponic 44 or 45 cals

Don't forget 38special is subsonic too

Originally Posted by Tommy

Don't forget 38special is subsonic too

Good point I'll add to that the question, anyone use this on game? I have been experimenting actually in my 357 lever action. Found at subsonic speed most .357 HP and SP aren't expanding which is to be expected. The 135grain gold dot made for 38 special and 125 grain remington golden sabre seem to be about the best expanding, .55 cal or so at impacts down to about 850fps. That's on water jugs, not sure if this would be much of an idea on pigs.

Originally Posted by sixtus

Good point I'll add to that the question, anyone use this on game? I have been experimenting actually in my 357 lever action. Found at subsonic speed most .357 HP and SP aren't expanding which is to be expected. The 135grain gold dot made for 38 special and 125 grain remington golden sabre seem to be about the best expanding, .55 cal or so at impacts down to about 850fps. That's on water jugs, not sure if this would be much of an idea on pigs.

They're a big fat 22 sub basically. I have head shot a few goats with a rossi single shot. Worked mint ad they kind of milled around.

Chest shots worked well with the cast lead but a couple took a minute ot expire.

Worked well enough for me to be happy using them in a humane point of view.

I use a 357 Rossi Puma on goats. My favourite load is 38sp brass loaded to max +P data behind 158gn cast flat points. Very accurate. Soft recoil. Any goat I can hit with it up to 150m is a dead goat with a placed shot. I tend to favour/restrict myself to under 100m more because of eyes with open sights. Best advice I can give is find a clay bank where you can see a puff of dirt when bullet hits and practice at measured distances. Really learn to judge distance and learn what the rifle/load combination can and can't do before you start blasting away. Know what sight setting to change to at diff distances. These are not flat shooters. Using the same projectiles with a full house 357mag load I watched my adult son nail goats at 180-200 metres on two occasions. One chest shot, one neck. Both required aiming shots. I don't like that because of wounding potential. I dont recommend it especially with open sights unless you really really know your gun/load. Of interest, both goats were off their feet, rolling downhill on impact. Those lead slugs hit real hard even if they have a rainbow trajectory. No finishing was required. I don't use these loads on small game as I shoot for meat. They would be adequate for deer and pig at appropriate ranges. Great bush rifle as light and fast to aim. Have fun, take care of the game, practice like hell.

Originally Posted by Jhon

I use a 357 Rossi Puma on goats. My favourite load is 38sp brass loaded to max +P data behind 158gn cast flat points. Very accurate. Soft recoil. Any goat I can hit with it up to 150m is a dead goat with a placed shot. I tend to favour/restrict myself to under 100m more because of eyes with open sights. Best advice I can give is find a clay bank where you can see a puff of dirt when bullet hits and practice at measured distances. Really learn to judge distance and learn what the rifle/load combination can and can't do before you start blasting away. Know what sight setting to change to at diff distances. These are not flat shooters. Using the same projectiles with a full house 357mag load I watched my adult son nail goats at 180-200 metres on two occasions. One chest shot, one neck. Both required aiming shots. I don't like that because of wounding potential. I dont recommend it especially with open sights unless you really really know your gun/load. Of interest, both goats were off their feet, rolling downhill on impact. Those lead slugs hit real hard even if they have a rainbow trajectory. No finishing was required. I don't use these loads on small game as I shoot for meat. They would be adequate for deer and pig at appropriate ranges. Great bush rifle as light and fast to aim. Have fun, take care of the game, practice like hell.

Thanks so is that 38+P load in the carbine still subsonic. I'm guessing your are running a bit over if you are plugging things at 150m or do you run a range finder. Its a foot or two holdover at that range for subsonic velocities.