You arent buying premium self defense loads, such as Speer +P 135s or 158 +P HP FBI loads for target practice,especially at well over $1/round! The box says SELF DEFENSE and that is exactly what they are for! A +P38 is little enough! If it groups well enough to hit at 7 yards, thats good enough.

Practice with a standard 38 Special loadings, such as Winchester White Box 130 or 158 round nose, something close to the weight you are carrying in a self defense load.

Once you learn the proper grip for your gun and limit the number of rounds fired, that tendancy to wear the skin off the web of your hand won't be a problem. I unconsciously hold mine very tight because of that. Also, 50 rounds per range session with that gun is enough.