For target shooting, what is best ammo ( non "P")for target shooting--What grain (158? 148? lower) and what type (semi wad? wad? others?)and what mfg (besides usual Rem, Win, and Fed--how about Georgia Arms?)

Welcome "rosie"

My J-frames, 642 included, prefer 158 grain bullets. That's the bullet weight S&W used to have their fixed sight .38's zeroed in for...I think they still do.

The 158's seem to shoot to point of aim for me and the lesser bullet weights don't.

Any manufacturer that has reasonably priced ammo would be my preference for casual target shootin and plinking.

I like SWC's for general shooting and defensive carry.

Thank you C&L for reply. What about type of cartridge for target shooting? I am under impression that semi wad or wad is preferred. Reply comments?

Wadcutters are designed to punch a very round hole with defined edges. The semi-wadcutters do about as well plus are more versatile.

I guess it depends on how serious one is about paper-punch type holes.

The round nosed bullets don't cut as nice a "wad" out of the target paper.

I use wadcutters for most practice with a 442. The recoil is much less than defense loads.

No mention is made of the type of ammunition and bullet weight used as a carry load. In general, it is often helpful to have a practice loading that approximates (as closely as possible) the carry load. If you use a 125 or 135 grain JHP as carry ammunition, then it might be better to use 130 grain FMJ ammunition for target practice. The UMC variety of this features a flatter nose these days to better punch holes in targets.

Another option is to continue to use full power practice loads, both CCI and WWB offer inexpensive +P loadings for this purpose. This would assume that your revolver is kept as a personal defense weapon and your practice is primarily oriented towards this pursuit. If it is isn't, then lower powered rounds are fine.

For 148 or 158 grain loads at standard pressures, I have had good results with Black Hills Blue Box (their remanufactured line).

Rosie,
Unfortunately the best target ammo isn't the cheapest target ammo. There was a time only a few years ago LSWC and LWC ammo was the cheapest but no longer. I've found if you are going to buy your ammo Remington UMC .38 Special is usually cheapest especially when you buy the Bulk Pack. (250 rounds) The target UMC ammo is usually 130gr FMJ rounds. They will shoot a little lower than 158gr bullets but you will be able to buy what you need for practice because the price is relatively low compared to the rest of the ammo available. Winchester USA (Win White Box) used to be inexpensive but they have raised their prices more than Remington. CCI Blazer can be cheap to buy and so can Wolf at times.

I suggest buying anything you can find that is cheap and also buy some cheaper ammo which is a close match to what you are going to carry. If you are going to carry a .38 Special +P round then I suggest you buy something like Remington .38 Special +P ammo to finish off your practice session along with at least 1 cylinder of your actual carry ammo so that it is the last input given to your mussel memory. (I hope that makes sense)

Welcome to the forum...