125 gr cast for deer

[Peakbagger46]

Because,I have lot of bullet.

That’s a poor reason to risk making a deer suffer. Glad you are making the switch to expanding 158 grain bullets!

 

[N555]

BULLY! (historic T.R. positive exclamation, since we are talking hunting)

Did you know that many of those states don't just stipulate straight-walled, but straight-walled centerfire cartridges? Did you know that in some states that allow straight walled cartridges (and bottleneck in some cases) also have an energy stipulation that the OP would not meet with his little .38. When stipulated, it is usually muzzle energy, but in some states, the stipulation of energy is at distance, such as Utah that requires the energy at 100 yards to be 500 ft lbs or more that cannot be delivered by a non-expanding bullet. A 1200 fps 125 gr. .38 caliber straight-walled cartridge producing 400 ft lbs at the muzzle is well under that criterion and non-expanding bullets would be a no-go as well. In Nebraska, it is 400 ft lbs at 50 yards, close, but no cigar. Did you know in some states, the straight-walled cartridge must be no smaller than .357?

I do love me some hunting trivia, but it is pretty pointless especially due to the randomness of the information as applied to this situation and so this probably isn't the thread for it. Seriously, I am not sure why you quoted me previously since I wasn't commenting on legality. I never assumed or implied the OP was doing anything illegal. If I thoguht the OP was illegal, I would have said as much. I would not want a fellow member accidentally making a legal mistake that could be costly.

However, if you really want to get into the sticks, start a thread on airgun hunting requirements by state. Then we can have some real fun!

If the op wasn't set on using commercial hard cast that infact a hand casted bullet that was pure or near pure lead would be quite capable of expanding.
I highly recommend everyone follow your state and any applicable local hunting laws.
Maine is a state that's wide open. You can use high power rifle, black powder, shotgun with buckshot, shotgun slug. The rifle or hand gun you chose must fire expanding bullets. The smallest you can hunt deer with is a 22wmr, which my step brother used very effectively on 6 deer at a range of 50ft. It was a very controlled shot, apple tree in his front yard.

 

[Buckeye63]

Penetration comes with momentum…usually with heavy bullet pushed to moderate to high velocity.. with a 9mm a 147ish grain LFNHC
.357 158-180gr LFNHC