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Old 11-29-2020, 05:47 PM
61pass 61pass is online now
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I've owned a model 52 no dash for quite awhile and haven't fired it yet. What, if any, current ammo choices are out there. or do I need to try and find some vintage stuff?
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Old 11-29-2020, 06:00 PM
Kp321 Kp321 is offline
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Can’t help on factory loads but there have been some recommendations on this forum and the Bullseye-L forum for custom ammo shops that produce good wadcutter loads.
I have had very good luck reloading for my 52-1’s using R-P brass, Magnus swaged HBWC bullets, over 2.8 gr of Bullseye or 3.0 gr of 231/HP38.
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Old 11-30-2020, 01:08 PM
Rick H. Rick H. is offline
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I could be wrong, but I think in the current situation you may find it difficult to locate any factory ammo for your M52 at a decent price. The prices are also absolutely nuts for stuff now too. I saw 9mm loaded ammo going for a buck a round on GB! Crazy times. Your options open up a bit if you reload and loading the .38 wadcutter isn't terribly demanding either. That was the first round I started reloading for years ago because it was quite a bit cheaper than buying new stuff and it allowed me to experiment with much better powders. I currently use Solo 1000 in my wadcutter loads and it works great, unfortunately Solo 1000 is all but impossible to locate today and may be out of production, but other choices are out there. I still recall looking at my first completed round and thinking how much it cost me, something like $500.00 at the time. Fortunately after loading thousands of rounds for everything I own the price per round has come way down and the ability to custom tailor your ammunition is priceless.

Rick H.

P.S. A quick check of GB prices for .38 Special ammunition showed about 50 cents per round. Not as bad as 9mm stuff but still expensive. Even obtaining wadcutter bullets is challenging.
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Old 12-01-2020, 11:59 AM
Denis Cleaver Denis Cleaver is offline
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Default Denny

Quote:
Originally Posted by 61pass View Post
I've owned a model 52 no dash for quite awhile and haven't fired it yet. What, if any, current ammo choices are out there. or do I need to try and find some vintage stuff?
I have been both reloading and shooting my S&W 52-2 with .38 Special full wadcutter, 148 grain hollow base bullets made by Speer and other bullet makers. There was at one time, in the past, when factory ammunition was available for sale. But no more. Now, it depends on how much you want to shoot this pistol. You are definitely going to hand load. Hey! It's fun and a big money saver. It is a shame to let that vintage, high quality handgun go unused.
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Old 12-01-2020, 12:40 PM
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I also doubt that there will be much to buy at the moment with the mad rush to stockpile. However it will eventually get back to normal

However Winchester, Federal, Magtech and Remington all produce 38 Special Midrange Wadcutter Match ammunition. Federal even offers this load in their Syntech coating which should really keep our Model 52s clean








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Old 12-01-2020, 12:52 PM
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I would venture to say that with the current ammo situation its not likely the factory stuff i.e. Winchester, Remington, Federal or Black Hills is going to be run any time soon. 😢
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Old 12-01-2020, 01:59 PM
jjfitch jjfitch is offline
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If you want to duplicate Win. Super Match, 3.1 grains W231 and Fed Gold Medal primers.

PM if interested in Winchester Super Match as shown above.

PM if interested in Win. 148 HBWC "projectiles"!

John

Last edited by jjfitch; 12-01-2020 at 02:05 PM. Reason: Syntax
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