I like LSWCs. i've killed everything from snakes and rabbits to moose and buffalo (granted the moose and buffalo were 357s).

I've used Lyman mold 358477 since the mid 70s and it works great. Used in my Model 28 Service revolver while in LE and now in my 642 for self defense.

OK everyone says I'm nuts for carrying reloads so I've bought into the Factory for SD ideal. I don't want this to turn into a Reload vs Factory debate. I just want to find some standard SWCs that work.

Problem is, I can't find any. I'd prefer Winchester Standard non +p loads to match my practice and competition load.

Can't find Winchester or anything else. I did find Natchez had some and ordered two boxes.

Remington 158 gr LSWC, R38S6. Got it yesterday and tried it through the chornograph to see how it matches up velocity wise.

Out of 15 rounds I had 5 FTFs. Took a second hit on 3 and three hits on 2 to get it to go off.

It's not the gun, earlier I ran throught just short of 100 rounds of reloads (using Remington SP primers) with out a hitch. I had a couple partial boxes of other factory 38s and they too, worked.

I know others are gonna recommend something else, but I don't want something else. I want LSWCs, preferably standard, non-hollow point loads.

Nobody has any. I live a long ways from no where so I have to order it.

Guess I'll stick to my reloads and take my chances.

Good luck in your search for the right load. I would just carry your reloads till you find something better. (I know you said you didn't want to turn this into a debate, but there is no case law to support the whole "don't carry reloads" nonsense)

"Problem is, I can't find any."

That is why I have no problem with carrying my reloads. Make them the way I want them.

AMMOMAN.com has Federal Part Number #38SWAD-158.



They will ship you a 10 box case for $189! Yes, that's a DELIVERED price.

This is the Lead Semi-Wadcutter, Non-Hollowpoint version IN THE BRASS CASE. There were some issues with the crimp in this loading in the Nickle Plated Cases.

One thing... this is a swaged lead bullet, not cast as per your handload, so I would expect that the slug may not penetrate as well on a Bison....

Good Luck!

Drew

Kraigwy, any chance your gun has a non factory spring in it?

No Sir, except for removing the lock, and adding CT laser sights, its totally stock.

Buffalo Bore Ammo
38 Special 158gr. SWC-HP short barrel, low flash, soft lead, Standard pressure, 850 Feet Per Sec.
Expensive $26.66 for 20.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Just curious. I would think something may be out of spec on it if using factory ammo you had that many issues. You may want to call S&W and have it checked.

I don't think the revolver is out of spec since it shoots everything but the Remington, I'm thinking it might be the ammo.

Has anybody else had problems with Remington factory ammo and FTF? I had a noticable number with 223 in my AR15. I wonder if they use a different primer...

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Proud anachronism

I had similar experience with the Remington PMC in 9mm a few months ago in a Kel-Tec PF9. The PF9 would eat everything but the Remingtons. Usually, I would find a light primer strike dead center. Like the O/P the round normally cycled fine the second time through. Others with the same pistol had a similar experience with Remington and Sellier & Bellot. Maybe the primers?

Georgia Arms is out of stock at the moment, but they load a nice .38 158 LSW load that is available in new brass at a very reasonable price. I have shot a lot of their ammo over the years and been very pleased with it all.

I've had problems in the past with Remington 16ga shells needing more then one primer strike. And Remington .22LR's are known as "maypops." Anymore I just avoid Remington ammo.

Drew,

Are swaged bullets hard or softer than cast?

Out
West

Had problems with Rem 9mm ammo last Oct., primer cups seemed too hard. Same problem in 6906, 5906, Glock and a Hi Power. I carry factory ammo, heard story fellow was sued after justified shooting - lawyer made him seem "evil" since over the counter wasn't good enough, he had to cook up some "super bullets". I have quite a few pieces that have never consumed a factory round, and they are just fine, thank you.

OW,

In a general sense, swaged lead bullets are softer than cast lead.

Drew

Sums up my position on factory ammo.

I won't trust my life to it.

I personally never liked Remington ammo, it just never shot right for ME. I never buy it even if it's the cheapest ammo on the shelf.

I have been shooting for 40+ years now and the ONLY Factory center-fire ammo I have EVER had fail to fire was Remington! In the beginning when I started carrying a concealed weapon, I would send the FTF ammo back to Remington (.38 specials) and they would send me a few new boxes with an apology letter. The next time they sent me a letter and a check. The third time I just vowed never to use Remington ammo again, which I have stuck to 'till this day!

Aside form their Center-fire ammo, I have seen enumerable amounts of their rim-fire ammo that is pure rubbish!. It is not out of the ordinary for my shooting buddies to experience 2 - 3 FTF out of a box of 50 rounds - pathetic!

After all these problems many years ago, I switched over to Winchester and Federal ammo and have never again experienced a FTF with a center-fire cartridge, and rarely with a .22 rim-fire.

Now days for CCW I use Buffalo Bore ammo which has far superior ballistics to any of the large Factory ammo makers, and has never let me down.

My Dad passe away last year and along with inheriting his guns, I also inherited his ammo stash. In that ammo stash is a bunch (a lot ) of Remington ammo, so I will just shoot it up at the Range and see how it fares.

Chief38

Sport Ammo 38 Special 158 Grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter

I have shot Remington and other brands. I don't recall any problems with any ammunition with FTF. I do have a box of Remington .357 Magnum cartridges. When I opened the box, I saw that more than half the cartridge cases were split. Not split after firing. Loaded split cases fresh from the factory. I have never fired any of the cartridges. I just keep the box to encourage me to keep reloading my own ammunition.

I think Remington has a problem with quality control.

Here is a link to Double Tap. Looks like what you want. $350 for 500 rounds. Not cheap, but may be the only game around.

DoubleTap Ammunition

S/F,

RAS

I only use factory ammo until I can develop a duplicate load.