I was planning on buying a case of .38's

The Federal 130 FMJ is out of stock but the 158 round nose is available by the case for a dollar more per box.

If I am buying just to bang away at the range is there any significant difference between these two rounds?

also, what's the scoop on CCI Blazer aluminum case ammo?

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The 158 grn will probably impact a bit higher on target than the 130 grn, but with adjustable sights that is not a problem.
The aluminum Blazers work fine, although I have noticed they don't extract quite as easy as brass. They don't really stick, they just hang up a bit, although the extractor rod on a 5" bbl should take care of that issue.

My bet is that you'll be better satisfied with the 158 gr anyway. It's the long-standing service load for the .38 Spl, while the 130 gr. will be more like the M41 military ball load - kinda wimpy. Soft-shooting like the mid-range wadcutters, but not as accurate. Go ahead & buy the 158s and enjoy the eminently reloadable Federal brass.
Just my $.02 worth.

Larry

Lead bullets will leave your gun dirtier than jacketed bullets, primarily a product of the bullets' lube and gunpowder and heat.

I have shot several boxes of the 130 gr fmj in my guns. Nothing really
wrong with it but nothing great about it either. Lots of air space with
the light bullet can lead to greater velocity variation. I'd buy the 158 gr
lead even if the 130s were in stock. Lead bullet ammo will help keep
the bore of your fine pre 27 in mint condition with virtually no wear.

Almost any average 158gr SWC will outshoot the 130 FMJ.
The 130gr FMJ was the standard issue for the M-15 revolver in the USAF, and we hated it. Several of us could put all the shots in a coffee cup group at 25yd with commercial ammo, but the same shooter with the 130gr ball did well to keep them on a dinner plate.

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For "just banging away" I would buy the cheapest ammo you can find. There's nothing wrong with Blazer ammo as long as you're not looking for reloadable brass. Like I said, by the cheapest you can find.

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I would go with the ammo with regular brass, you can save the brass and you might be able to sell it when you have a pile of it. I think there might be some of the commercial reloaders that will take it in trade as well. Or you can start reloading.

I've fired a lot of both weight bullets in my 28 and 686 as well as other .38/.357 revolvers. Inside of 15 yds., there is no difference. However I have noticed a difference on out at 25 yds. I have found overall accuracy with the 158 gr. LRN factory loads is better than what is generally obtained with factory 130 ball loadings. JMHO.

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As the 38 special was designed around a 158 grain lead bullet, I would opt for the 158 grainer. In fact, I never really understood where the 130 grain FMJ configuration came from. I know it's a military round, but I would have thought that they would have come up with a FMJ 158 grain round instead. The lighter bullets will usually not shoot to POA, where as the 158's usually do.

Chief38

I don't know for sure, but I suspect an anonymous DoD bean-counting bureaucratic that knew little or nothing about firearms or ballistics, awarded a contract to the lowest bidder and trying to cash in on that faux pas, other ammo manufacturers started producing the same stuff.

Personally, the only time I'm likely to shoot any of it is a cylinder full after a LRN, LSWC or LWC range session.

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I would much prefer the 158gr lead bullet for high volume shooting.

Lead is easier on your barrel.

If you were goling to buy and store the 38 ammo for seveal years, I would buy the 130gr jacketed loads, as lead will corrode somewhat over the years.

I kind of like 158 gr lead, especially since I own a lot of fixed-sight revolvers, but I have two C*** Official Police revolvers, one 4" and one 6", that are VERY accurate with 130 gr Federal ammo. For purely range use, anything that shoots well in your gun is fine. Otherwise, 158.

In my experience 158 gr. lead bullet ammunition as produced by Federal, Remington, Winchester, etc. is more accurate that 130 gr. FMJ loads. This reflects firing in both .38 Special and .357 Mag. chambered revolvers. If all you can find is 130 gr. FMJ's, the use it. But given the choice, the 158 gr. lead ammunition will give better results at all distances. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

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