Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: jdb on May 04, 2020, 06:02:36 PM

Title: .380 for small game?
Post by: jdb on May 04, 2020, 06:02:36 PM: Anyone ever use a .380 for small game? I know it’s not a conventional hunting cartridge but the .380 shield is supposed to be pretty accurate, it’d be pretty handy to be able to shoot a grouse with your edc and still have something left to eat.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: HillHound on May 04, 2020, 06:18:42 PM: Yep I got a small tack driving amt 380. I carry all the time. A few grouse have met their demise to that gun.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: magnanimous_j on May 04, 2020, 06:24:30 PM: I'm sure you could, but I personally think the .380 is a little underrated in terms of effectiveness. It's not that far behind .38 special in terms of power, especially since so many .38 spcl revolvers are snubbies and most .38 special ammo is rated out of a 4" barrel.

If that's what I had on me and dinner wandered across a logging road I was walking, I wouldn't hesitate.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: jasnt on May 04, 2020, 06:52:31 PM: Don’t you need a 4” barrel for hunting?
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: Bob33 on May 04, 2020, 07:27:38 PM: Quote from: jasnt on May 04, 2020, 06:52:31 PM
Don’t you need a 4” barrel for hunting?
Only for big game.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: jasnt on May 04, 2020, 08:34:10 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on May 04, 2020, 07:27:38 PM
Quote from: jasnt on May 04, 2020, 06:52:31 PM
Don’t you need a 4” barrel for hunting?
Only for big game.
aww that makes sense
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: 762Armo on May 05, 2020, 01:42:50 PM: Shot a grouse with a 9mm once, and it didn't explode.
380 would do the trick.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: Stein on May 05, 2020, 01:46:32 PM: I've only shot a couple 380s and I could barely hit a man target at 7 yards, but if you could get one that would work it would certainly kill them. I carry a .22 revolver and haven't had any complaints from grouse.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: BreezyBear on May 05, 2020, 01:55:50 PM: LCP at 5 yards
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: vandeman17 on May 05, 2020, 02:26:53 PM: I carry a bodyguard .380 when I bow hunt that has a laser sight on it. Anything illegal about killing a grouse with that?
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: Cylvertip on May 05, 2020, 05:14:47 PM: They make the Underwood Extreme Penetrator for the .380. There is a video of a guy shooting ballistic gel with it. It makes an impressive wound channel.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: Ridgeratt on May 05, 2020, 05:52:40 PM: Quote from: Cylvertip on May 05, 2020, 05:14:47 PM
They make the Underwood Extreme Penetrator for the .380. There is a video of a guy shooting ballistic gel with it. It makes an impressive wound channel.

Why would you shoot defensive ammo on a road chicken? Wouldn't hard ball be just as effective?🤔🤔

Honestly can say never been attacked by a grouse.

I have been known to carry a browning dba380 quite accurate
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: Skillet on May 05, 2020, 06:59:05 PM: Quote from: Ridgeratt on May 05, 2020, 05:52:40 PM
Honestly can say never been attacked by a grouse.

You haven't truly lived until the blue grouse you thought was dead comes back to life in a big way in the game pouch in the back of your hunting vest.

It seemed very orchestrated, and I do classify it as a "Grouse Attack."

I now support the use of defensive ammo, 10 gauge, 50 cal Barrett, even frag grenades for grouse.

Whatever it takes.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: TVHunts on May 05, 2020, 07:15:39 PM: Quote from: Skillet on May 05, 2020, 06:59:05 PM
Quote from: Ridgeratt on May 05, 2020, 05:52:40 PM
Honestly can say never been attacked by a grouse.

You haven't truly lived until the blue grouse you thought was dead comes back to life in a big way in the game pouch in the back of your hunting vest.

It seemed very orchestrated, and I do classify it as a "Grouse Attack."

I now support the use of defensive ammo, 10 gauge, 50 cal Barrett, even frag grenades for grouse.

Whatever it takes.

:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: 7mmfan on May 05, 2020, 09:09:55 PM: Quote from: Skillet on May 05, 2020, 06:59:05 PM
Quote from: Ridgeratt on May 05, 2020, 05:52:40 PM
Honestly can say never been attacked by a grouse.

You haven't truly lived until the blue grouse you thought was dead comes back to life in a big way in the game pouch in the back of your hunting vest.

It seemed very orchestrated, and I do classify it as a "Grouse Attack."

I now support the use of defensive ammo, 10 gauge, 50 cal Barrett, even frag grenades for grouse.

Whatever it takes.

My buddy has a similar story regarding a quail, that was subsequently "released". Fun story.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: Cylvertip on May 06, 2020, 12:13:18 AM: Quote from: Ridgeratt on May 05, 2020, 05:52:40 PM
Quote from: Cylvertip on May 05, 2020, 05:14:47 PM
They make the Underwood Extreme Penetrator for the .380. There is a video of a guy shooting ballistic gel with it. It makes an impressive wound channel.

Why would you shoot defensive ammo on a road chicken? Wouldn't hard ball be just as effective?🤔🤔

Honestly can say never been attacked by a grouse.

I have been known to carry a browning dba380 quite accurate
my point was not necessarily to use it on the road chicken, but more so that that if you are packing it you might as well have a round with some potency. It cuts an X through its target vs turning it into liquid and vapor. It would probably work fine for our fine feathered friends if needed.
Title: Re: .380 for small game?
Post by: konradcountry on May 07, 2020, 08:30:54 AM: Maybe if you own one but I wouldn't buy one for that purpose.

9mm has more versatility. You can load a subsonic and get similar results.