|
|
05-18-2016, 11:05 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2016
Location: southeast
Posts: 69
Likes: 82
Liked 18 Times in 11 Posts
|
|
38 S&W ammo
Is anyone buying 38S&W ammo? If so, where are you finding it?
|
05-19-2016, 12:23 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Northern California
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5,476
Liked 6,425 Times in 1,865 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckcrranch
Is anyone buying 38S&W ammo? If so, where are you finding it?
|
It's readily available for on-line mail order.
See ammoseek.com
As for LGS's, there are two near me I know of.
One small store has a few boxes, and Bass Pro had about 5 boxes last time I looked about two weeks ago.
All lead round nose.
|
05-19-2016, 01:34 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Front Range of Colorado
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 1,266
Liked 1,663 Times in 620 Posts
|
|
Cabelas usually has PPU and maybe Magtech, Rem or Win.
|
05-19-2016, 01:41 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: E. Washington State
Posts: 5,497
Likes: 1,325
Liked 10,604 Times in 3,231 Posts
|
|
I have a box or two I found.
Just another reason to reload for calibers that are to high in cost for what you get.
38 S&W, 44 Spl, 38-40, 44-40 and several others.
__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-19-2016, 08:25 AM
|
US Veteran Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 20,361
Likes: 24,260
Liked 16,154 Times in 7,408 Posts
|
|
Buffalo Bore makes the only one that I'd consider a solid factory-made defense load. But the bullet weight was dropped to 125 grains to enable increasing velocity, so I have no idea if it'd shoot to the sights on WW II guns sighted for 178-200 grain bullets.
Unless BB warrants it in Webley and Enfield revolvers, I'd limit its use to Colt and S&W guns with swing- out cylinders made during or after WWII.
Before entrusting your life to this caliber, I think you may want to read our current topic on the British WWII .38's in the Other Makes forum. One thread has tests with photos, showing just how anemic this ctg. is. The military load penetrated about twice what the PPU lead bullet did, but neither was any great shakes.
Last edited by Texas Star; 05-19-2016 at 08:28 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-19-2016, 06:55 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: IA
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 995
Liked 1,629 Times in 801 Posts
|
|
Ammoseek.com is your friend for online purchases. Sometimes you can find stuff for under $20 sometimes there's nothing under $25. 38 S&W is manufactured in batches and can be hard to find for good prices sometimes.
For local purchase the phone is your friend. I've seen some at Scheels before but it was $30 for 50.
|
05-19-2016, 10:42 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 292
Liked 641 Times in 345 Posts
|
|
Here are three decent and affordable choices:
32 S&W Short Pistol Ammunition at SGAmmo
__________________
USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73
|
05-20-2016, 04:53 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 11,606
Liked 9,019 Times in 3,193 Posts
|
|
I just looked over at Powder Valley and they are showing stock on 38 S&W Privi Partizan 145 gr RN Lead for $19.24 for a 50 round box, plus shipping of course. But that sounds pretty reasonable for a cartridge that isn't a big seller.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-20-2016, 11:57 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 1,525
Liked 1,825 Times in 736 Posts
|
|
BassPro often has it, usually Remington. Gun shows are a good place to look. I roll my own.
John
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-20-2016, 01:05 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,634
Likes: 241
Liked 29,144 Times in 14,091 Posts
|
|
Reloading is the better option, if you have that capability. If you have a solid-frame revolver (not a top break) in good condition, it is no trick to produce standard .38 Special ballistics in the .38 S&W.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-20-2016, 01:19 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Middle Georgia
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 4,550
Liked 5,572 Times in 1,319 Posts
|
|
Every time I see a box of LRN Winchester or Remington, I buy it since I have a pile of top breaks and HE's. They are great back yard guns and make very little noise. Good for snakes, squirrels, rats, rabbits, etc. If you come upon something bigger, make sure you have a big rock in one hand. . .either that or be ready to run. My little 32's and 38's are some of my favorite guns just to own and shoot. We don't have a lot of big critters roaming around here in Middle Georgia.
__________________
Dr. B
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-20-2016, 10:24 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Taranaki, New Zealand
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 4,287
Liked 6,021 Times in 1,305 Posts
|
|
.38 S&W projectiles
Not trying to derail the Op but can anyone tell me what the projectile diameter of commercially loaded ammo for the .38 S&W is?
I can't buy any commercial brand ammo in this calibre here in New Zeland and when I tried reloading with .357 158 grain projectiles, the ones I load in .38 Special, the accuracy was awful. At least 1 in 6 shots was a total flyer and another 1 in 6 would tumble due tot he .361 bore of the .38 S&W.
I ended up going to 148 gn HBWC which expand enough to fully seal in the oversize bore.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-20-2016, 11:19 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,634
Likes: 241
Liked 29,144 Times in 14,091 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi cop
Not trying to derail the Op but can anyone tell me what the projectile diameter of commercially loaded ammo for the .38 S&W is?
I can't buy any commercial brand ammo in this calibre here in New Zeland and when I tried reloading with .357 158 grain projectiles, the ones I load in .38 Special, the accuracy was awful. At least 1 in 6 shots was a total flyer and another 1 in 6 would tumble due tot he .361 bore of the .38 S&W.
I ended up going to 148 gn HBWC which expand enough to fully seal in the oversize bore.
|
It is usually stated to be 0.360"-0.361" I have pulled bullets from old .38 S&W ammunition which measured 0.357"-0.359", the same as the .38 Special. SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, an industry trade group which sets dimensional standards for guns and ammunition in the USA) gives a bullet diameter tolerance (lead bullets) for the .38 S&W as 0.355"-0.361" If one is using soft lead bullets of a slightly smaller diameter, the diameter will expand under pressure to fill the bore. I have loaded LOTS of .38 S&W ammunition using .38 Special (0.357-0.358") RN lead bullets, they always seemed to work fine for me. If they don't for you, the HBWCs are a good option - just don't seat them into the case more than about halfway. Were you using jacketed bullets or lead bullets?
Last edited by DWalt; 05-21-2016 at 09:27 AM.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-23-2016, 08:13 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2016
Location: southeast
Posts: 69
Likes: 82
Liked 18 Times in 11 Posts
|
|
Thanks Muddocktor, I ordered some last night.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-23-2016, 11:19 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Derby City,Ky.
Posts: 4,675
Likes: 5,277
Liked 3,504 Times in 1,680 Posts
|
|
I don't buy .38 ammo in quantity,when I buy it ,it's usually brought from where I buy guns.I buy most of them from the same gun dealer.
__________________
Life is short,live it fully.
|
05-26-2016, 12:40 AM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: N. Muskegon, MI
Posts: 153
Likes: 21
Liked 41 Times in 23 Posts
|
|
It still boggles my mind that the British used this cartridge with a 200gr bullet!
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-30-2016, 08:56 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Demon-class planet
Posts: 7,403
Likes: 29,169
Liked 8,461 Times in 3,772 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mi2600
It still boggles my mind that the British used this cartridge with a 200gr bullet!
|
Pre-WWII, it was commercially loaded with a 200gr bullet in this country. It was known as the Super Police (Later, the .38Sp was so loaded). IIRC, MV was advertised at 630fps. Supposedly more effective than the 146RNL on BGs, nothing to stand in front of, in any case.
I once met an old cop/gunman who carried a snub .38 Terrier with a bobbed hammer. When I questioned his choice of caliber, he replied it was "miles ahead of a .25."
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-30-2016, 08:58 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Middle Georgia
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 4,550
Liked 5,572 Times in 1,319 Posts
|
|
Just found out this weekend that a young black bear was run over a few miles from my house. Yesterday my wife saw a huge doe standing in the backyard. Maybe I need to rethink my favorite 32 caliber handguns. The deer is no problem, but when a full grown bear walks through my back yard I'm going to run for cover.
__________________
Dr. B
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-31-2016, 05:10 PM
|
|
Moderator SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,070 Times in 2,660 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocB
Just found out this weekend that a young black bear was run over a few miles from my house. Yesterday my wife saw a huge doe standing in the backyard. Maybe I need to rethink my favorite 32 caliber handguns. The deer is no problem, but when a full grown bear walks through my back yard I'm going to run for cover.
|
I know what you meant but it might not be a good idea to run from a bear. Running usually triggers a chase while backing away slowly is usually the better option.
Which 32 are you carrying? If it's a 32 Federal Magnum it's probably good. I know it won't be easy but if charged try to hit the snout. The bear's brain is right behind the snout.
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437
Last edited by ArchAngelCD; 05-31-2016 at 05:11 PM.
Reason: Typo
|
06-03-2016, 06:12 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Location: GA
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
Liked 18 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
I've found .38 S&W at Adventure Outdoors a big LGS in Smyrna, Georgia. I've usually bought Magtech brand from them, but they also have one of the big names Winchester or Remington.
__________________
Vanquish Fear and Panic!
|
06-03-2016, 07:53 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2016
Location: S Texas aka N Mexico
Posts: 20
Likes: 2
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocB
Just found out this weekend that a young black bear was run over a few miles from my house. Yesterday my wife saw a huge doe standing in the backyard. Maybe I need to rethink my favorite 32 caliber handguns. The deer is no problem, but when a full grown bear walks through my back yard I'm going to run for cover.
|
What happened to that Rock you were going to carry in the other hand? Unless your name is David, and destined to become King it might be good to look for something with a little more stopping power for bears, and Giants.
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|