Rossi Puma 92 38 special

[KSG]

Hi gents, just logged into ask some advice on the above. Am looking to get one of these to run 38 sp loads that stay subsonic out of the 24" barrel. I usually use a 22Magnum rifle for close range eradicating pests. The 38 is to give me bit more oomph and I wondered if it would be much noisier than full power 22 magnum out of rifle barrels? Extra noise would be a deal killer and I don't know anyone with 38's around to test before I buy. Thanks for any info.

[KSG]

PS I should also mention silencers aren't an option.

[NavyVet1959]

Although I don't have experience in that particular rifle, I have loaded .357 loads in a handgun to levels where they were quieter than .22LR.

Round ball loads might also be an option for light .38/.357 rounds.

[KSG]

Thanks Navyvet, were they squib loads, any idea of the velocity you were getting?

[rond]

The 22 mag is pretty loud, the 38 should be less if loaded down. It seems to me the smaller the bore the sharper the blast.

[NavyVet1959]

Thanks Navyvet, were they squib loads, any idea of the velocity you were getting?

I seem to remember it being around 500 fps. That was good enough for punching holes in armadillos and 'possums when the dogs started barking at them at night. I was either using Clays or Alliant Promo (Red Dot equiv), but don't remember how many grains.

[Baja_Traveler]

I loaded down that same exact round in the same exact rifle for pistol cartridge silhouette. I don't have my notes here, but it was something like 3.5 grains of WW 231 under a 158gr plain based cast. Literally shot and sounded like a .22 and was plenty powerful enough to knock over the 100 yard rams. One of the guys I shot with also had a similar load using HS6.


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[bluelund79]

Factory 38 special from my heavy barrel HandiRifle had less perceived muzzle report than 22lr. It's my preferred pest control. It's even less with titegroup and a 148gr wc or 158gr SWC.

[Texas by God]

When we're plinking everyone wants to shoot the ROSSI lever action with .38 specials. No recoil and no muzzle blast. Factory 158 LRN work great and so does the Lee 150 swc over 4 grs Bullseye that I load for my wife's S&W model 67. Best, Thomas.

[runfiverun]

had me all excited there for a second.
I thought they were gonna make a Rossi in 38 special.

with a little experimentation in powder amounts and possibly some lube work I bet you can get a 158 or thereabouts in to the 500 fps range with minimal noise.
I don't know how stable it will be.

[Artful]

PS I should also mention silencers aren't an option.

Pity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-knJmz6HE0

One thing to consider it the less powder the less noise. Heavier Bullets with same loads go slower than lighter bullets.
I'm using ETR-7 which is a fast powder and 160 grn FN RN boolit. In my video you are mainly hearing the noise of
firing bouncing back from the backstop.

[Bzcraig]

Art.....you show off! And I watch it every time you post it! LOL

[Artful]

I should get some new material I guess - Maybe the suppressed 45 Mk4 Enfield should be next.

[FergusonTO35]

Subsonic .38 Specials out of a carbine should be quieter than most .22 LR. Back when basic .38 Special ammo was cheap I shot tons of it out of my Marlin 1894. Very accurate too.

[fecmech]

I have a 24" Rossi in .357. With loads in the 1000 fps range using fast powders it sounds like a .22 rifle using standard velocity ammo. Shooting the H&G #50 wadcutter over 3.1 grs of Bullseye gives me just under 1000 fps and 1.5" 50 yd groups. Shooting my steel swingers gives me a "pop" then I hear the bullet hit the swinger. Kind of neat!

[ironhead7544]

For Squibb loads I use Unique. A lighter bullet will be easier to push out the barrel. You will have to experiment to find the right load. I start out low until I find a load that will push the bullet out each time. Then add .5 grains. Cast bullets, of course.

[dverna]

My Cowboy Action load is the 125-130 gr bullet with 2.7 gr of Clays. HP38 (231) works too. I never checked velocity but tested a bunch of loads and picked the most accurate one. Ten shots into an inch at 30 yards.

Some are using a 105 gr bullet and that might be worth looking at for shorter ranges if you do not need knock down power for plates and such.

I have some 130's I can send you if you want to try them out.

Don Verna

[rintinglen]

I have a 24" Rossi in .357. With loads in the 1000 fps range using fast powders it sounds like a .22 rifle using standard velocity ammo. Shooting the H&G #50 wadcutter over 3.1 grs of Bullseye gives me just under 1000 fps and 1.5" 50 yd groups. Shooting my steel swingers gives me a "pop" then I hear the bullet hit the swinger. Kind of neat!

My experience exactly. I had to single load them, but they were very quiet--more like a 22 long rifle than a 22 mag. Quite accurate at 50 yards, not so at 100, but for my use it was great.