Took this big headed doe this afternoon with a S&W model 64. The distance was approximately 25 yards. Let me say it was my first and last time with that caliber. We had a little rodeo but it worked out. Maybe some +p ammo would have made things different but I know a bigger caliber does.

That must have taken some really good shooting! What load did you use?

Always told the Grandson's ,Once you start it, its up to you to finish it. Glad to see you hung in there, and made it work. Looks like she made you work for it.

Congrats!

Congrats Cotton!

Congrats

Thanks guys, lone wolf I used 158gr Hornady xtp

give `em hell stalk man.....

i would hunt deer everyday with a .357 with a swift a frame. ramp it up and go. deadly.

*Life goal
Well done. I want to take a deer with my late father-in-law's S&W Model 10 that he gave me. Just because.

Cottonstalk , nice job on "rodeo doe"! I'd like to know about the XTP's performance if recovered. Did it expand at 38Special fps? Noted that you don't advocate another try, BUT,would you (given same chance / opportunity again) think a hardcast flatnose slug may have a different effect on "rodeo" events? I'm curious as I've been playing w/ 38/44 loadings the past few years,as I've accumulated so much 38 brass, although these only see use in magnum guns. I don't target shoot rather I do what I call "hunting practice" w/ my handguns. By this I mean after I'm dialed in from bench/load work, I shoot from a variety of field rests I use. I rarely ever take offhand shots anymore. When you see me afield I could pass as a African guide/porter/gunbearer ! I never leave the truck w/out as of late a BogPod & a stool . I practice at my local range w/ the same equipment, rifle or handgun. Expansion tests some time ago opened my eyes to some cartridge capabilities/shortfalls. So always open to other shooters field experiences. Oh , I've performed in a few deer rodeos in the past, but that's another story !! Later ,, cont35bb.

the 140 xtp has done well in a 38 for me at close range

Last year and this year, your bullet testing is second to done. My hat's off to you for testing both the 38 Special and the 45 ACP 👍

Thanks guys.

cont35bb in my opinion the 38 is a little light. The 158gr xtp didn't exit or kill effectively. As best I can tell expansion was non existent or very minimal. It is not a 357 magnum. The fist shot should have been the end and would have with a 357mag or larger, in my opinion. Instead after the shot found me chasing down a crippled white tail, hopping and jumping bushes until I could get a couple more finishing shots into her. I'm a little old to be running down critters so for me I'll just use a bigger gun. In my opinion you might have got an exit with a wfn, but I just don't think the 38special has what it takes to be a dependable white tail or larger critter getter.

Franchise,It definitely is not on par with the 45acp.

I know a 38 and 357 use the same projectile but at very different velocities before any one starts.

I think the smaller the caliber the more velocity matters. Think a minute, 44 special kills but not on par with the magnum. But step up in caliber and velocity means less because you have a larger hOle. Again just my opinion.

cottnstalk, from the results of your 38Special "rodeo" I would compare that to the results of the handgun hunters tests of the Colt Python Hunter .357Mag of days gone past. (Now I'm showing my age !) With the more or less standard load 158gr JHP, hits at ranges of +- 100yrds showed similar results as to bullet not expanding . The game succumbed but it was pushing the limits of the gun/load. I remember several articles about the Hunter & it was a primer for me to build a "generic" version w/ a Dan Wesson topped w/ an 2.5x Bushnell Phantom rail mount scope. The gun would shoot ! Never got to prove it on a PA deer, but several groundhogs fell to it. I really impressed my Dad one day as he witnessed me take a hog at 98 steps! I had a load spitting a 125gr Sierra pushed by 2400 that just demolished that critter ! I moved on to a RSBH 10" .44 & the rest is history, as I was sucked into the vortex by Milek , Wooters, Herrett,Nonte & Jurras,etc. It is still a fun ride and neat to enlighten some at ranges & in the field . " Wow , You did that with a pistol!! " (insert various handgun)Till Next ,cont35bb

great bullet test. good job finishing that rodeo on that deer as well!