Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo
o

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-27-2010, 10:38 PM
47D's Avatar
47D 47D is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
Liked 334 Times in 12 Posts
Default .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?

For those of us who do not reload .38 Special, what companies manufacture (or remanufacture) a low recoil target/plinking round?

I've used Atlanta Arms 148 grain wadcutters and found them perfect for introducing new shooters to centerfire guns or for an extended session with an airweight J-frame. However, my usual source doesn't have them right now. What other brands/loads do you like and where do you get them?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-27-2010, 10:52 PM
pete950's Avatar
pete950 pete950 is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 1,649
Liked 424 Times in 196 Posts
Default

Ammunition to Go. com has all kinds of 38 ammo and
Aim Surplus just go Federal 130 grain ball in for $11.75 a box


Pete
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-27-2010, 10:55 PM
pilgrim6a's Avatar
pilgrim6a pilgrim6a is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 944
Likes: 140
Liked 373 Times in 139 Posts
Default

Try Georgia Arms. I have been using this ammo for 15 years and it is good! I'm not sure of the prices on .38 WC, but I bought 158 gr.SWC two weeks ago for $110 / 500. Bulk packed in metal GI ammo can.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-27-2010, 11:33 PM
vytoland's Avatar
vytoland vytoland is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 5,658
Likes: 15,661
Liked 7,682 Times in 2,744 Posts
Default

mastercast.............100gr DEWC or 148gr DEWC

amo

ive purchased several thousand rounds of ammo from them.....good folks to do busines with.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-27-2010, 11:56 PM
luangtom's Avatar
luangtom luangtom is offline
US Veteran
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Hall County, GA
Posts: 1,382
Likes: 513
Liked 741 Times in 324 Posts
Default

GA Arms 148-gr wad-cutters. $110 per 500 in metal G.I.-box, just purchased at local gun-show. GA Arms does gun-shows in North and South Carolina. Their web-site lists the shows.
__________________
GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-27-2010, 11:56 PM
sheriffoconee's Avatar
sheriffoconee sheriffoconee is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Watkinsville, GA
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 0
Liked 180 Times in 73 Posts
Default

for plinking and training, I like the 158 grn RNL ammo by just about anyone who makes it. It seems to shoot more to POA in my J and K frames, easy to speedload, and of course recoil and muzzle blast aren't much to deal with for new shooters, or my neighbors....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-28-2010, 12:10 AM
srgvaz's Avatar
srgvaz srgvaz is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 862
Likes: 10
Liked 26 Times in 20 Posts
Default

I believe Wal-Mart () has the lowest price on standard ammo. The low recoil stuff usually costs more for plinking I stick to the cheep/standard FMJ American stuff. If you want low recoil use a .22 caliber. -JMHO

Last edited by srgvaz; 10-28-2010 at 12:16 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-28-2010, 12:59 AM
47D's Avatar
47D 47D is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
Liked 334 Times in 12 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by luangtom View Post
GA Arms 148-gr wad-cutters. $110 per 500 in metal G.I.-box, just purchased at local gun-show. GA Arms does gun-shows in North and South Carolina. Their web-site lists the shows.
I checked their website just before I posted this thread. It says they are out of 148gr WC because of a "component shortage."
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-28-2010, 02:30 AM
ArchAngelCD's Avatar
ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
Moderator
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,070 Times in 2,660 Posts
Default

I agree Mastercast makes a good product. They have a 148gr HBWC round that they list @740 fps. That's not extremely slow but it's not hot either.
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-28-2010, 02:53 AM
47D's Avatar
47D 47D is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
Liked 334 Times in 12 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
I agree Mastercast makes a good product. They have a 148gr HBWC round that they list @740 fps. That's not extremely slow but it's not hot either.
That sounds perfect. Their website indicates that you have to exchange brass before they will sell ammo to you right now, but I cannot find anywhere on the site that describes that exchange process. Would you explain how that works? Is the cost of shipping the brass on you?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-28-2010, 03:16 AM
TACC1 TACC1 is offline
US Veteran
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wautoma, WI 54982
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 6,564
Liked 799 Times in 499 Posts
Default

I've just started dealing with AMMO TO GO, and am happy with their service. TACC1
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-28-2010, 05:13 PM
JayDubya JayDubya is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Yet another Mastercast satisfied customer. I order their 148gr hardcast wadcutter in thousand round lots (along with 9mm 124gr ltc, also in thousand round lots). I save a bundle by sending them my spent brass (same type and number) by USPS Priority Mail. I can get 2,000 into a ten buck box. Their .38sp 100gr wc is almost in the .22 range for recoil and sound. Really wimpy, but accurate enough.

Cordially, Jack
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-28-2010, 05:22 PM
47D's Avatar
47D 47D is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
Liked 334 Times in 12 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayDubya View Post
. . . sending them my spent brass (same type and number) by USPS Priority Mail. I can get 2,000 into a ten buck box.
That sounds easy enough. Thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-28-2010, 05:55 PM
ENGINE18 ENGINE18 is offline
US Veteran
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
Liked 23 Times in 15 Posts
Default

I think I'll call them tomorrow. Prices look good, especially for wadcutters. I have several thousand, once-fired .38 and .357 brass. Seems like if I'm not going to reload. I ought to get some quality re-manufactured rounds.

How is the quality?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-01-2010, 03:27 AM
chief38's Avatar
chief38 chief38 is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 17,759
Likes: 7,836
Liked 25,616 Times in 8,661 Posts
Default

A good time to get into reloading! I must admit, I am not wild about reloading as I find it boring and tedious, but with the price of ammo, I have no choice but to crank away. I use a Dillon which minimizes the effort and maximizes the quality & output. Some guys really get into reloading and enjoy "tinkering" and customizing load, but I just do it so I can affordably shoot.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 11-01-2010, 03:47 PM
JayDubya JayDubya is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Engine18, Mastercast's quality is topnotch. I have lost track of how many thousands of their .38sp and 9x19 reloads I have fired off, with never a problem. Mastercast is a Mom and Pop operation on a farm in Enid Valley south of Pittsburgh (I googled 'em, and they are way out there in the wooly bushes). When I speak to Pat she sounds busy as can be, but never too busy to make sure she has the order right. Let's keep her that way.

Cordially, Jack

Last edited by JayDubya; 11-03-2010 at 05:03 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-02-2010, 12:44 AM
SFsc616171 SFsc616171 is offline
US Veteran
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 1 Post
Default

I've bought Georgia Arms ammunition, for 38Spl. in 158-gr. weight. I was pleased with their products. Yet, I have made the move from 'tradition' and the school of 158-grain weight for SandW snubbies, and 4-inch service revolvers with fixed sights. As for your 'low recoil' answer, over the counter, Rem. 130-grain MC's (FP) and the "Q4171" Winchester 130-grain FMJ-FP's work well. The Q4171's WERE standard military issue to feed SandW "K-38 Combat Masterpiece/M-15"'s, till they went to 9mm. You can build up your spent brass bucket that way!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-02-2010, 02:32 AM
ArchAngelCD's Avatar
ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
Moderator
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,070 Times in 2,660 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 47D View Post
That sounds perfect. Their website indicates that you have to exchange brass before they will sell ammo to you right now, but I cannot find anywhere on the site that describes that exchange process. Would you explain how that works? Is the cost of shipping the brass on you?
Sorry I didn't see the brass requirement. It's been a long time since I bought ammo. Yes, the cost of the brass shipping is on you but with the fixed rate US Post Office bulk boxes the cost is minimal. (I think $4.25 for the small box which will hold ~1000 .38 Special cases or so)

You might try calling them up and asking if they can send some .38 Special ammo without a brass exchange. From what I see they do have .38 Special ammo available without brass exchange. The ones on the right marked NA under w/o exchange are the unavailable ones.
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Last edited by ArchAngelCD; 11-02-2010 at 02:35 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 11-02-2010, 06:26 AM
David LaPell's Avatar
David LaPell David LaPell is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,543
Likes: 667
Liked 6,774 Times in 1,312 Posts
Default

I used to use the old Federal 158 grain lead roundnose loads for plinking until I started handloading. I am not even sure if the old Federal loads are still out there. If you do ever handload, the 158 SWC and 3.8 grains of Win 231 is a great low recoil plinking load.
__________________
Vaya con Dios
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-03-2010, 01:09 AM
Gene K Gene K is offline
Member
.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo? .38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I use Zero out of Cullman Alabama. They are very popular for training ammo with some police departments in my area. I have had very good luck with their 148 HBWC. They are very accurate. Easy to plink empty shot gun hulls at 40 yards out my Dan Wesson M15. I think mailorder prices run just under $0.15 a round with brass trade in but you can do better through their dealers.
__________________
Gene

Last edited by Gene K; 11-03-2010 at 01:13 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
38spl, airweight, combat masterpiece, dan wesson, masterpiece, military, model 15, wadcutter, winchester

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
low recoil ammo for .38 special + p Bodyguard braves04 Ammo 21 12-15-2016 01:56 PM
.38 special plinking load with Bullseye ffr1910 Reloading 17 03-23-2016 01:06 AM
light recoil .38 special ammo Harrydale Ammo 4 07-01-2014 08:29 AM
.41 Magnum Plinking Ammo? Dump1567 Ammo 6 11-08-2010 03:45 PM
9mm cast bullets in .38 special plinking loads Smith357 Reloading 9 07-20-2009 07:18 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:25 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)