Pistol Caliber Carbines??

[BeardownAZ]

Anyone is one? Whether it be a 9mm semi auto or 357 lever. Been thinking of getting one and then thought, it would be a good gun for brush/shotgun work areas. Maybe with a low or no magnification prism or red dot scope for quick shots in close calling situations. Anyone use them here?

 

[Slickhill]

A 5.56 chambered carbine with a LPVO will be more effective and more versatile should you need to dial the magnification up to take a longer shot.

PCCs are fun but I can’t think of any advantage they offer to the varmint hunter.

 

[BeardownAZ]

A 5.56 chambered carbine with a LPVO will be more effective and more versatile should you need to dial the magnification up to take a longer shot.

PCCs are fun but I can’t think of any advantage they offer to the varmint hunter.

Yes thats what I currently use now. Not new to this. I didn't ask what I should use, or the advantage, I asked if anyone has tried using them and what they thought.

 

[Scoutfan]

Haven't used one for calling. Love my 16 inch 44 lever for carrying through thick stuff. Compared to a 20 inch it is a little whippy and not as well balanced. I think it would be awesome with a suppressor.

 

[hereinaz]

Yes thats what I currently use now. Not new to this. I didn't ask what I should use, or the advantage, I asked if anyone has tried using them and what they thought.

I weighed this out, and decided to stick with bottleneck 300 BO. No personal experience though.

Ultimately, the pistol cartridges are ultimately too anemic, IMO. The shotgun/straight wall cartridge states are going 350 legend and such. I think that’s the best option for heavy brush type work if you are using a straight wall.

 

[BeardownAZ]

When I think shotgun use in Arizona, were I am at, I am referring to the use of buckshot for close range quick action, not because of state or municipal rules and laws. I doubt a pistol caliber in common calibers are to anemic for a 30-45lb coyote or smaller if used in close range-Which would be what pistol calibers are where designed for to begin with, not long range, thus why I said for close brush work. Not sure for some of you but I don't relegate myself to one gun or caliber for all things hunting. The pistol caliber carbine would be for use in addition to what I currently use ( .223, .243, shotgun w/ buckshot, even 357 mag revolver) depending on where and how I decide to hunt that day.

 

[TaperPin]

357 velocities out of a lever action carbine are moving right along, compared to a pistol - that always seemed like a fun gun. Seemed like 125 gr jacketed hollow point factory ammo gains something like 40% additional velocity out of a carbine.

Not that it has to have this much uph, but Buffalo Bore flat nosed cast bullet heavy 357 ammo used to be right up there with normal 30-30 ammo in both velocity and energy.

For calling to 100 yards I’d think even 38 special would be more than enough.

This gun is on my wish list.

 

[Slickhill]

It will certainly kill coyotes. But it offers nothing over your other guns is all I was getting at.

IME pistol calibers and their slower less expansive bullets will result in more runners than the higher velocity stuff. The difference is sometimes even more observable when compared at close range where velocity of traditional varmint cartridges are high and bullets likely to come apart often giving the “electrocuted” effect on coyotes and bobcats.

 

[Spoonbill]

When I think shotgun use in Arizona, were I am at, I am referring to the use of buckshot for close range quick action, not because of state or municipal rules and laws. I doubt a pistol caliber in common calibers are to anemic for a 30-45lb coyote or smaller if used in close range-Which would be what pistol calibers are where designed for to begin with, not long range, thus why I said for close brush work. Not sure for some of you but I don't relegate myself to one gun or caliber for all things hunting. The pistol caliber carbine would be for use in addition to what I currently use ( .223, .243, shotgun w/ buckshot, even 357 mag revolver) depending on where and how I decide to hunt that day.

Since you have a 357 revolver, maybe a 357 lever gun makes sense, one less type of ammo you need to bring. Could be a lot of fun with a suppressor on the end. I have no experience to offer in shooting s coyote with a 357 but I like the idea.

 

[TaperPin]

I almost forget about 44 mag carbines - I’ve smacked a few critters with a 14” 44 mag Contender pistol and it was accurate and killed things quickly. The biggest downside to carbine velocities I can remember is the trajectory is still a rainbow - to 100 or 125 yards it doesn’t matter, but an easy 200 yard shot becomes an issue if the holdover isn’t guessed right.

 

[Nine Banger]

I'm enjoying my JP-5.

I picked it up to shoot PCC at Steel Challenge.

That got boring so I got another upper that has a short barrel and a suppressor.

I used it for rucking all summer with a thermal scope and had too much fun.

It's also a great set up with thermal off of it and a red dot installed for family shooting. I just brought it to Thanksgiving set up that way and non shooters enjoyed the low recoil and low blast with the suppressor.

 

[KenLee]

I've used many of the pistol cartridge lever actions over the last 35 years and about 8 years ago decided that the 22-250 BLR was head and shoulders above those for fun and usefulness on predators/varmints/deer.
At 1:14 twist rate, it shouldn't stabilize 60 gr Partitions according to the experts, but it does. I've ran 35-60 gr bullets through it without any issues. Can use any pointed bullets because it loads from a stacked box magazine.

 

[Nine Banger]

PS: I was running 147gr federal hydrashoks. Good on small game to 50 yards or so.

POI got irregular after that and had a few bloody runners with chunks on ground.

25-35 yards in is devastating.

I have that optic on a 223 now to give me ability to go long if needed but it’s way louder.

 

[nubraskan]

I've borrowed a buddies 9mm AR15 with a Eotech for a while, it was a hell of a fun gun. I never went hunting with it but anything 50 yards and in you could mag dump all day into. Out past that, say 100 yards or so it was tricky getting the drop just right to hit a coyote size target every time. Doable, but not ideal. Absolutely dead stable with either the brake or suppressor, and no misfeeds for the few hundred rounds I put through it. Very fun way to waste ammo.

I would absolutely grab that gun in the middle of the night to smoke a raccoon or "something" close-ish range.

 

[BeardownAZ]

Shot a coyote a few years ago with my Glock 20, chance encounter, not by design or purpose. It was at about 20 yards or so. Dropped it dead as can be. I'm thinking 1200-1400 fps is good under 75 yards. I would think 44 mags and 357s out of carbine with the added increase of added energy out of a longer barrel(16") would hit really hard at 150 yards and under. 9mm, 40, 45s would be different and Id keep those 50 yards or so and under out of a carbine.