I routinely avoid anything but factory new brass loads for my semi-autos. Since a revolver doesn't have a lot of the potential feed/failure problems associated with the semis, I would think the types of rounds I could fire in my J-frame 360 Airweight Scandium .38 Special would be open to choice (cost). The gun is +P certified by S&W.

So, are there any rounds you wheelgunners go out of your way to avoid?

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Eschew Obfuscation.

It depends on the level of pain you like and how often you plan to actually shoot that Scandium wheelie. Any .38 Special ammunition will work, brass or aluminum cases, LRN, SWC, WC, lead, FMJ, HPs, cheap loads, high end loads, whatever. etc. Everything goes bang.

The only rounds I can think of that you may want to avoid are FBI loads, i.e., 158gr LHP (or LSWCHP) +P. In the scandium guns these types of loads can result in bullet pull, where the recoil can cause the bullets in the non-firing chambers to pull forward out of the case. There have been instances of bullets pulling far enough forward that they stick out the front of the cylinder, causing the gun to bind on the forcing cone as the cylinder rotates. I know this applies to titanium cylinder models. This may or may not apply to steel cylinder models (I don't know what kind of cylinder the 360 has).

Also, as a general rule, avoid any reloaded ammo of questionable origin. Some commercial reloaders produce quality ammo. Others, not so much. I generally don't purchase such ammo, at least not yet, so I don't know which are the good ones and which are the bad ones; maybe someone else will have some suggestions.

Main issue is POI vs. POA. Other than that, posts #2 & #3 pretty much cover it.

I avoid soft lead that leads the barel. I also like 125g.-130g. To minimize felt recoil but give adequate penetration.

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Two Handguns every day

Not an ammo expert, but I've put maybe 1,500 rounds of re-manufactured 148gr wadcutter ammo from Michigan Ammo through my 642. Never had an issue with it. Pull the trigger, 642 always goes bang with them. Hole gets punched in target where I was pointing the revolver. That works for me.

Difficult to know where to put the blame for ammo problems, on the gun or on the cartridges. I have 2 Scandium .38 snubs, the 337 and 342. I found crimp-jump/bullet-pull problems on all +P ammo until I tried 125 gr JHPs.

Conversely, I bought most of a case (14 boxes) of Federal's version of the FBI load (158gr LHP) and found crimp jump in ANY aluminum frame revolver. Not in steel-frame guns.

Years ago, Blazer 158gr RNL .38Spl ammo would jam one Chiefs Special, while another, identical gun happily ate it up. Go figure.

Simply put, in today's market, you have to try each round in the gun(s) you are considering using it in.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

The ones that cost more than $25 a box.............

The 148gr wc is one of the most accurate target loads made
for the 38 special, but it also carries apretty big price for target ammo.
The 158 lead can be found at $16 for a box of 50 for target use with a little searching

Since I reload I do not buy aluminum or steel cases...... but
they do have a low price for shooters that buy factory ammo.

Great feedback, thanks! I think ISCS Yoda may have summed up the answer I was looking for: "Any .38 Special ammunition will work, brass or aluminum cases, LRN, SWC, WC, lead, FMJ, HPs, cheap loads, high end loads, whatever. etc. Everything goes bang."

I typically avoid steel casing (Wolf, Tula, etc.), reloads and remans. But I've seen some brands on the market I've never heard of. Just today I received 150 rounds of Sellior & Bellot 230gr RN brass. I've seen this brand a lot online, but I've never shot any. From ISCS Yoda's perspective, if it ain't dirty, and funky-lookin' it's probably OK to shoot.

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Eschew Obfuscation.

In a ti/scandium J frame, I'd avoid lead bulleted ammo unless it has an extra strong crimp like BUffalo Bore or similar. Super light snubbies like that (I have the Taurus View- 9.5oz) will pull lead bullets unless specifically tight crimped or hard cast lead is used.
Lead round nosed target ammo, some wadcutters, even a few fmj range loads will pull in the ultra light ti/scandium guns and mine would admittedly be worst case.

Just winchester in my blackhawk. binds it everytime due to the rim thickness.