.38 Special Low Recoil plinking ammo?

[47D]

For those of us who do not reload .38 Special, what companies manufacture (or remanufacture) a low recoil target/plinking round?

I've used Atlanta Arms 148 grain wadcutters and found them perfect for introducing new shooters to centerfire guns or for an extended session with an airweight J-frame. However, my usual source doesn't have them right now. What other brands/loads do you like and where do you get them?

 

[pete950]

Ammunition to Go. com has all kinds of 38 ammo and
Aim Surplus just go Federal 130 grain ball in for $11.75 a box


Pete

 

[pilgrim6a]

Try Georgia Arms. I have been using this ammo for 15 years and it is good! I'm not sure of the prices on .38 WC, but I bought 158 gr.SWC two weeks ago for $110 / 500. Bulk packed in metal GI ammo can.

 

[vytoland]

mastercast.............100gr DEWC or 148gr DEWC

amo

ive purchased several thousand rounds of ammo from them.....good folks to do busines with.

 

[luangtom]

GA Arms 148-gr wad-cutters. $110 per 500 in metal G.I.-box, just purchased at local gun-show. GA Arms does gun-shows in North and South Carolina. Their web-site lists the shows.

 

[sheriffoconee]

for plinking and training, I like the 158 grn RNL ammo by just about anyone who makes it. It seems to shoot more to POA in my J and K frames, easy to speedload, and of course recoil and muzzle blast aren't much to deal with for new shooters, or my neighbors....

 

[srgvaz]

I believe Wal-Mart mad has the lowest price on standard ammo. The low recoil stuff usually costs more for plinking I stick to the cheep/standard FMJ American stuff. If you want low recoil use a .22 caliber. -JMHO

 

[47D]

GA Arms 148-gr wad-cutters. $110 per 500 in metal G.I.-box, just purchased at local gun-show. GA Arms does gun-shows in North and South Carolina. Their web-site lists the shows.

I checked their website just before I posted this thread. It says they are out of 148gr WC because of a "component shortage."

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree Mastercast makes a good product. They have a 148gr HBWC round that they list @740 fps. That's not extremely slow but it's not hot either.

 

[47D]

I agree Mastercast makes a good product. They have a 148gr HBWC round that they list @740 fps. That's not extremely slow but it's not hot either.

That sounds perfect. Their website indicates that you have to exchange brass before they will sell ammo to you right now, but I cannot find anywhere on the site that describes that exchange process. Would you explain how that works? Is the cost of shipping the brass on you?

 

[TACC1]

I've just started dealing with AMMO TO GO, and am happy with their service. TACC1

 

[JayDubya]

Yet another Mastercast satisfied customer. I order their 148gr hardcast wadcutter in thousand round lots (along with 9mm 124gr ltc, also in thousand round lots). I save a bundle by sending them my spent brass (same type and number) by USPS Priority Mail. I can get 2,000 into a ten buck box. Their .38sp 100gr wc is almost in the .22 range for recoil and sound. Really wimpy, but accurate enough.

Cordially, Jack

 

[47D]

. . . sending them my spent brass (same type and number) by USPS Priority Mail. I can get 2,000 into a ten buck box.

That sounds easy enough. Thank you!

 

[ENGINE18]

I think I'll call them tomorrow. Prices look good, especially for wadcutters. I have several thousand, once-fired .38 and .357 brass. Seems like if I'm not going to reload. I ought to get some quality re-manufactured rounds.

How is the quality?

 

[chief38]

A good time to get into reloading! I must admit, I am not wild about reloading as I find it boring and tedious, but with the price of ammo, I have no choice but to crank away. I use a Dillon which minimizes the effort and maximizes the quality & output. Some guys really get into reloading and enjoy "tinkering" and customizing load, but I just do it so I can affordably shoot.

 

[JayDubya]

Engine18, Mastercast's quality is topnotch. I have lost track of how many thousands of their .38sp and 9x19 reloads I have fired off, with never a problem. Mastercast is a Mom and Pop operation on a farm in Enid Valley south of Pittsburgh (I googled 'em, and they are way out there in the wooly bushes). When I speak to Pat she sounds busy as can be, but never too busy to make sure she has the order right. Let's keep her that way.

Cordially, Jack

 

[SFsc616171]

I've bought Georgia Arms ammunition, for 38Spl. in 158-gr. weight. I was pleased with their products. Yet, I have made the move from 'tradition' and the school of 158-grain weight for SandW snubbies, and 4-inch service revolvers with fixed sights. As for your 'low recoil' answer, over the counter, Rem. 130-grain MC's (FP) and the "Q4171" Winchester 130-grain FMJ-FP's work well. The Q4171's WERE standard military issue to feed SandW "K-38 Combat Masterpiece/M-15"'s, till they went to 9mm. You can build up your spent brass bucket that way!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That sounds perfect. Their website indicates that you have to exchange brass before they will sell ammo to you right now, but I cannot find anywhere on the site that describes that exchange process. Would you explain how that works? Is the cost of shipping the brass on you?

Sorry I didn't see the brass requirement. It's been a long time since I bought ammo. Yes, the cost of the brass shipping is on you but with the fixed rate US Post Office bulk boxes the cost is minimal. (I think $4.25 for the small box which will hold ~1000 .38 Special cases or so)

You might try calling them up and asking if they can send some .38 Special ammo without a brass exchange. From what I see they do have .38 Special ammo available without brass exchange. The ones on the right marked NA under w/o exchange are the unavailable ones.

 

[David LaPell]

I used to use the old Federal 158 grain lead roundnose loads for plinking until I started handloading. I am not even sure if the old Federal loads are still out there. If you do ever handload, the 158 SWC and 3.8 grains of Win 231 is a great low recoil plinking load.

 

[Gene K]

I use Zero out of Cullman Alabama. They are very popular for training ammo with some police departments in my area. I have had very good luck with their 148 HBWC. They are very accurate. Easy to plink empty shot gun hulls at 40 yards out my Dan Wesson M15. I think mailorder prices run just under $0.15 a round with brass trade in but you can do better through their dealers.