I have N frames chambered in .357 Magnum and J frames that take .38 Spl. No concealed carry here in NJ and hollow points are not worth the hassle.

What is the favored .38 Spl. target load for banging away at paper.

Do I care about FMJ vs. lead round nose? What about bullet weight (130 v. 158 gr.) I prefer to buy American and have had good luck with Federal American Eagle.

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I use Winchester white box 130 gr FMJ. They are cheap, consistent and best of all make for easy cleanup since there are no leading issues.

yes, vote responsibly my brother.

Regardless of what our local looney tunes in Trenton are doing, you go get yourself a Dillon and a few 8 pound kegs of powder, 2000 starline brass, 10000 cci500 primers and make your own. Accuracy will be tons better and it's fun.

Here is my practice and competition load. It shoots light, no wear to the barrel and in the same hole:

147 gr RN 'Blue Bullets' w 3.3 gr Titegroup.

Being from NJ, I understand where you are coming from. For me, my practice ammo is typically 38 Special 148gr HBWC or cast wadcutters. I refuse to put FMJ or jacketed ammo through my K38s, and use either jacketed HP or gas checked SWC in my 357s when I need to burn up heavy loads.

For target shooting, I have not purchased target ammo in over 40 years ... I reload my own.

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148 gn WC with 2.7 gr Bullseye. Light, accurate and cut nice round holes in paper targets that score easily.

I think I need some specific recommendation between FMJ, JSP and lead round nose.

Sounds like bullet weight is not important

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I shoot Winchester Train and Defend 130gr in the black box or 125gr+P in the white box from Walmart. I don’t shoot but a box every 2 or 3 months.
If you shoot a lot, oysterer has the right idea. It is SO much cheaper to reload!

Be SAFE and Shoot often!

If you plan to do very much shooting realize that lead bullets, factory or
handloaded, will greatly reduce wear of your revolver barrels compared
to using jacketed bullets.

If you're using revolvers with fixed sights, standard pressure 158 grain loads will usually shoot closer to point of aim than loads with lighter bullets.

While it will be more expensive initially, get a variety of ammo, four or five boxes, and shoot offhand. Whatever is most accurate and shoots closest to point of aim is what's best for you. Don't shoot up real close to evaluate because even poor ammo is accurate up close. Try it at 25 yards.

Jacketed or cast? I use only cast handloads, but if you're not going to be shooting a lot, jacketed bullet loads are fine. As someone already said, jacketed bullets will wear a bore more quickly than will cast bullets. However, you would have to shoot many thousands of rounds to cause appreciable bore wear.

The Cabela's (rebranded S&B) Herters 38sp 158gr FMJ is my practice round because it works well and is about $14/per 50 rnd on sale.

BUY ZERO AMMUNITION, THEY EVEN SELL RELOADS. VERY ACCURATE , 158GR SWC LEAD . JP

If you are plinking away at paper, the best is the cheapest one that's not bad.

LAXammo.com 38 spl is .25 each for reloads and .28 for factory new. flat rate shipping. free sometimes.

It groups ok and is reasonably consistent.

If you ever get serious, you reload.


Prescut

I shoot either my own reloads or WWB 130gr.

I also reload so I haven't bought ammo in a long time.

When I was buying .38 Special range ammo I had good luck with 130gr FMJ ammo from Winchester, American Eagle and Remington UMC depending which was on sale at the time.

When I bought .357 Magnum ammo which cost more at the time I usually bought 158gr ammo from Blaser, Independence Ammo, Prvi Partizan and sometimes Remington or American Eagle if they were in sale.

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