386 XL Hunter Sm.&Wsn. for Deer

[Huntolive]

Hello fellow hunters and shooters!
I am looking for a good affordable revolver for deer hunting specifically in 357. I intend to use this mostly as a backup when i get an ocassional close up shot when rifle/shotgun hunting, and as CC when in deep woods bow/black powder hunting; I might also take it out to hunt on its own, but I have the Super Red Hawk 45/454 Casul with Ultradot for that. I will probably keep this one lean and mean with open sights only.
I have the opportunity to "upgrade" my Rossi R97206 6"brl 357 mag Stainless Steel (new, unfired in box) for a very lightly used excellent condition
Smith and Wesson 386 XL Hunter. I would have to add $300 on top of the Rossi in the trade.

First: is this even an upgrade?
Is this a good deal? Why? Why Not?

Second: what can u tell me about the pros and cons of the 386 XL Hunter? How well do they shoot and hold up to use?

Third: what can you tell me about the pros and cons of the Rossi?

4th: What else would u recommend other than either for under $600? GP100? S&W 686?

Also, I know many of u will say " get a 44 mag or better for deer."
Lay that to rest: I already have a Super Redhawk 45/454 Casul.

Thanks.

 

[Sam1911]

If I had to guess I'd say you're doing well on that deal. That's a lightweight, scandium alloy framed L-frame, though it still weights 30 oz. Interesting gun, though I've never shot one, I'd be tempted on that deal.

Rossis can be ok, but I'd make that trade.

 

[mavracer]

I looked at a 386xl a couple weeks ago at the LGS, I was thinking to myself that'd be the perfect gun for a guy that wanted to pack a 357 sidearm while deer hunting.
I'd make that trade in a heart beat.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the quality of the S&W compared to a Rossi is unquestionable.

The M386 XL Hunter is a very nice revolver. I don't own one but I have shot one several times. It has a 6" barrel and like said above, it weighs only 30oz. The one I shot didn't have optics but was still easy to shoot well with the long barrel and fiber optic front sight. Scandium Alloy frame revolvers are very tough and they are easy to carry because they are light. I like having 7 rounds in the cylinder too. I think the deal you mentioned is a good deal and the S&W will serve you well, better than the Rossi will.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I have one that I use for what you outline as well as a cooler weather outdoors CCW. I enjoy it tremendously, its not only a joy to shoot but to carry as well.

A Rossi + $300 is a SMOKING deal for you on a 386xl

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks: 386XLHunter vs- Rossi Plus $300

Thanks for the quick replies. Seem like yall agree the trade plus cash is a good deal.

I have heard the 30oz 386 XL can be snappy recoil as it is so light, especially w/ 357 hunting loads. That said, I shoot Super Redhawk 7.5" hot 45 and mid. 454 casul, so will that be an issue?

Do the guns hold up? I know I won't be able to shoot out my Super Redhawk. What about the 386XL Hunter?

Any other first hand exp. with this model?
How is the trigger?

Would I be better off trying to sell the Rossi for $400 and buying a 686 or a GP100?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Don't worry about recoil. It's 30oz 357 with a full sized grip. In the grand scheme of things that's not really that light. Even with stout loads its no LCR featherweight

 

[Huntolive]

Ok, I'm plannin on gettin it this Frdiay

Thanks, looks like the deal will happen soon!
What do yall recommend for sights? The factory installed irons/fiber opticss?
Or an ultradot, etc.?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Do the guns hold up? I know I won't be able to shoot out my Super Redhawk. What about the 386XL Hunter?

Like I said above, Scandium Alloy guns are very strong. It seems when you add just a little Scandium to an alloy the whole batch takes on the characteristics of the Scandium making the entire alloy very strong. Of course those guns have not been around for 100 years to prove that point but I have never heard of one shooting loose or stretching a frame. If Scandium Alloy allows them to make a 12oz J frame that can shoot full power .357 Magnums I'm sure the bigger and heavier frame will hold up just fine.

 

[Huntolive]

Just got it today, will post pics soon. Deal went smooth! Gunlooks great, trigger is smooth.

 

[Sam1911]

Yeah! Nice job! I think that's an unusual enough version that a full range report (or several) with lots of pics is warranted. I'm curious myself and now want to seek one out to see how they feel. Don't know that I need a 6" L-frame for what I do, but if I ever get the chance to shoot one, I'm on it!

 

[Huntolive]

The 386 XL Hunter brief review

Hello,
Thanks 4 all your help guys.
I got the 386 XL Hunter w/ 6" barrel and standard sights, which are nice fiber optic and metal sights w/ adjustable rear sight. I like that the rear sight can be easily removed to mount a mount for any optic. I am considering adding an Ultradot. I may stay w/ the irons as I want 2 keep this small, light and streamlined for dual duty as trail gun and hunting pistol.

It shoots great with a smooth double action trigger pull, and an effortlessly smooth/crisp signle action trigger squeeze. Ther trigger never pinches your finger like the Rossi can, or some other revolvers. Very comfortable in the hand, with good full sized grips. The grips on mine is a full sized rubberized grip with contours for fingers, and the handle is not shortned like the Rossi, so the 386 XL sits firmly in the hand.
I am a novice pistol shooter, but this gun makes me look good. It goups very well. My shots tended to fall a little lower than point of aim, but all were within less than 1 inch at 20 yards completely free hand with no table or sand bags, no tree to lean on etc. And this was just my first time shooting the gun. This tells me the gun shoots better than my current abilities. On this note, I can use advice: what are the most likely reasons that I am consistanly an inch or so low with this pistol, but getting tight groups? Any advice for iron sight pistol shooting welcome.

The gun is light, BUT recoil is a Non-issue. Just for fun, I took out my
Super Redhawk 454/45 along w/ the S&W 386XL:
the 357 158 grain was a bit smoother/similar to the cowboy load 45 250 grains
out of the SRH. The 454 casul was much more (double at least) recoil and muzzle blast than the 386XL, even with the much heavier SRH frame.

I am not expert enough to add much more, and there are pics in a previous post above in this thread (sorry, I dont have or know how to add pics). The gun normally comes in a smokey-grey stainless/matte finish that is very nice and smooth.
The gun is light, and a joy to carry, and looks and feels great.
I am VERY pleased with the trade!

 

[rcmodel]

I can use advice: what are the most likely reasons that I am consistanly an inch or so low with this pistol,

Your gun has an adjustable rear sight.

You need to adjust it.

Page #24 of the owners manual:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/S&W_Revolver_Manual_08-15-2013.pdf

rc

 

[mdauben]

I have heard the 30oz 386 XL can be snappy recoil as it is so light, especially w/ 357 hunting loads.

I've never shot the longer barreled 386 XL but I have its little brother the 24oz 386 NG (basically the same gun with a 2.5 inch barrel). My gun is indeed "snappy" with full power SD loads (125gr SJHPs rated at 1450 FPS) but by no means uncontrollable. For hunting you might be using even stiffer loads, but longer barrel should help even things out.