I just bought some of this from Targets Sports USA. Anyone know how it performs? Thanks.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Worked well in my Webley.

Never shot any of their 38 S&W but I've shot their 25acp, 9mm, 38 special, 357 magnum, and 45acp - and all of it has been just fine.

PPU I believe is marketed under the "Monarch" name sold at The Academy stores. I use their 158gr JHP in 38 special and it's good to go.

IMHO their 158gr 357 magnum is loaded slightly on the stout side.

Monarch is used by Academy as an ammunition house brand. It comes from several foreign sources. The box labeling won't say who made it, only the country of origin. PPU is Prvi Partizan located in Serbia. They have been making ammunition for a very long time.

Thanks. Box says made in Serbia. Their is a gentleman that reloads .38 specials at my LGS/Range. I asked if he would reload .38SW and he said no problem. Wanted to give him some extra brass to work with.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I have shot a lot of Monarch 9mm from Academy and the casings have PPU stamped on them. I have never had any problem with it and it seems pretty clean shooting as well.

Does he have 38 S&W dies?

I never asked. The LGS guy said he could make them no problem so I just assumed he had what he needed.

Now I have something else to worry about.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

If you pull the rounds out & look, they're stamped "PPU" which is Prvi Partizan's headstamp..

You certainly have! Most Americans now do not understand the differences, and assume that .38 S&W s just a short .38 Special.

Better be SURE he knows the difference, is a CAREFUL loader and doesn't seem too casual in his approach.

Buffalo Bore loads hot .38 S&W ammo, but I think they use a light bullet that may not shoot to the sights.

If you have a BSR, try loading 173 grain SWC bullets. Sights by WW II were meant for 178 grain loads.

I think the sold-frame S&W and Colt guns are stronger, but Webley and Enfield top-break guns are pretty capable with most practical loads.


I don't advise reloading for American top-break guns, which are weaker than the British top-breaks.

I like PPU ammo in general. I have used 4 different brands in 38 S&W, and they all perform well in My Webley and Enfield. However, the PPU do not reload well for me, whereas all others do. Reloaded they are too wide and do not fit into the cylinders of either pistol. Seems to make no difference if the bullet is .358 or .361.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

Thanks, TS. I will double check with him. He supplies the LGS with reloaded .38 Special WCs and PCs. Both of those have been outstandings target rounds.





125 grain PC

It is hard to find inexpensive .38SW. Brownells never has any in stock and most everyone else wants an arm and a leg for shipping. The LGS will charge me $15 a box of 50 for them. Hope they are the real deal.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I just took the Victory (shown above) to the range and shot the 148 grain and four rounds of 125 grain PCs with it at 7 yards. My first rounds fired with this gun. Very happy with the results.



There really are six holes at center mass.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I bought some a while back as it was avalible for just a bit more than virgin Starline brass. No complaints, and the cases have since been reloaded many times.

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Certified Curmudgeon

I have for many years loaded .38 S&W using .38 Super dies. And for a long time I have used .38 Special 158 grain RN bullets (.357-.358). they work fine, albeit slightly undersized for the .38 S&W.

The .38 Short Colt is basically a short .38 Special with about the same case length as the .38 S&W. Even though smaller in case diameter than the .38 S&W, they will work OK in any .38 S&W revolver.

From left to right...

.38 S&W Special
.38 Long Colt
.38 Short Colt
.38 S&W
9mm Parabellum
.380 Auto

.38 S&W is .361 others are .357

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Certified Curmudgeon

I hope this guy works for you, but if not here's another option:

38 S&W Short Special FIOCCHI 145gr LRN *NEW* 50rds [P138S&WSHORTN] - $18.99 : Precision ONe Ammunition, Dont Shoot Twice Shoot Precision ONe

This is Fiocchi (which is good ammo), but their own ammo is top notch stuff as well.

I happened to fire some PPU 38 S&W Sunday afternoon through a 4' Regulation Police. If the cases reload OK this will now be my plinking factory ammo. For me it shot better than the Remington and was 1/3rd the price. Try a few rounds Buffalo Bore 38 S&W. It will change the way you look at the cartridge.

That's what I have used in my S&W top break. Seems to be decent stuff.

The PPU factory ammo has worked well for my .38sp .
Also have bought some of their .38sp brass and its been working well in my revolvers and my Model 52.
No problems after several reloads.
Just got some .380 and its looking good.

FYI, Lee has 38 S&W reloading set #90569 @ $43 plus shipping.
I have loaded 38 S&W for my Iver Johnson. Also for 32 S&W BP.

Grafs has 38 s&w brass on sale.