Buzzsaw
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what do most of the competitors shoot in their .38's
.38 Special match bullets
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JimBianchi
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158 or 160grn LRN or coated rule the roost in my revolver competitions.
jimbo728
Member
Depends on match.
158 gr lswc 3.0gr Bullseye for paper
158 gr lswc 4.7gr WW 231 for plates, pins, IDPA.
Jim
158 gr lswc 3.0gr Bullseye for paper
158 gr lswc 4.7gr WW 231 for plates, pins, IDPA.
Jim
38 match bullets
if you shoot ppc, the magic bullet is a 148gn hollow base wadcutter
if you shoot ppc, the magic bullet is a 148gn hollow base wadcutter
Yes, it depends on the competition.
For 2700 Bullseye shooting most shooters use hollow base swaged 148 gr. wadcutters. Zero and Magnus are two top brands, as are Remington, Speer, and Hornady, roughly in that order.
Of course, you can cast your own.
Al Miller wrote several articles on the topic of 38 special loads for bullseye that were published in Handloader back in the 70s.
The usual powders are Bullseye (2.7-2.8 gr), or 700x, WW231, HP 38.
Today, there is also the Distinguished Revolver Match (aka: Harry Reeves Match) shot at Camp Perry. This requires the use of service type ammo, so cast 158 gr SWCs are the norm, although many savvy folks have rediscovered the old Lyman 38 RN molds!
You did not specify the type of shooting. However, there are very good reasons for paying attention to the choices for the Bullseye game.
First, the accuracy standards and marksmanship standards are MUCH higher. 50 yds slow fire, 10 ring about 3" diameter, X ring about 1.65" diameter, fired 10 shot strings in 10 minutes, standing with revolver in one hand.
Second, the game, guns, loads, bullets were all developed co-dependently during the early part of the 20th century.
I hope this info is helpful in your chosen shooting endeavors.
Best Wishes,
Jim
For 2700 Bullseye shooting most shooters use hollow base swaged 148 gr. wadcutters. Zero and Magnus are two top brands, as are Remington, Speer, and Hornady, roughly in that order.
Of course, you can cast your own.
Al Miller wrote several articles on the topic of 38 special loads for bullseye that were published in Handloader back in the 70s.
The usual powders are Bullseye (2.7-2.8 gr), or 700x, WW231, HP 38.
Today, there is also the Distinguished Revolver Match (aka: Harry Reeves Match) shot at Camp Perry. This requires the use of service type ammo, so cast 158 gr SWCs are the norm, although many savvy folks have rediscovered the old Lyman 38 RN molds!
You did not specify the type of shooting. However, there are very good reasons for paying attention to the choices for the Bullseye game.
First, the accuracy standards and marksmanship standards are MUCH higher. 50 yds slow fire, 10 ring about 3" diameter, X ring about 1.65" diameter, fired 10 shot strings in 10 minutes, standing with revolver in one hand.
Second, the game, guns, loads, bullets were all developed co-dependently during the early part of the 20th century.
I hope this info is helpful in your chosen shooting endeavors.
Best Wishes,
Jim
For 2700 matches, either indoor or outdoor, I tend to shoot 148gr (quench cast) wadcutters. I tend to cast my own, casting both button nosed and double ended wadcutters.
For PPC matches, while I prefer my 150gr SWC, I find that I can get a faster reload using my 160gr RN, the rounds drop in faster from the speedloaders.
I enjoy casting my own bullets, and I am not out to set speed records, so 99.9% of my shooting with a 38 involves wadcutters. Wadcutters are inexpensive and don't require a lot of powder. Usually, a pound of powder becomes 2000 or more 38s. It makes for an enjoyable time at the range.
For PPC matches, while I prefer my 150gr SWC, I find that I can get a faster reload using my 160gr RN, the rounds drop in faster from the speedloaders.
I enjoy casting my own bullets, and I am not out to set speed records, so 99.9% of my shooting with a 38 involves wadcutters. Wadcutters are inexpensive and don't require a lot of powder. Usually, a pound of powder becomes 2000 or more 38s. It makes for an enjoyable time at the range.
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Regarding what 6string posted on this subject...You don't find articles like Al Miller's today. These were classic pieces of gunwriting, sort of like Ken Waters material. Lots of good information based on lots of experience. I haven't seen those articles in a long while, but they should be as valid today as when Mr. Miller wrote them.
captaint
Member
My fav's are the H&G 50 wadcutters. I cast my own, and cast them fairly hard. And Bullseye,, of course. Mike
slickracer
Member
I'll bet you won't find a plated bullet at Camp Perry.
You can bet real money on it!!
Plated wadcutters: The answer to a question nobody asked.
I'm sorry for folks that shoot on ranges that force them to use these.
Engineer's Home Cast Bullets from range scrap for 5 handgun and 3 rifle bullets I shoot. Cheap, always in stock, easy to replenish inventory.
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I use two different bullets. For the most part I shoot and reload 158 grain RNL bullets. For serious competition I use 148 grain HBWC's. The RNL about 90% of the time, the HBWC = 10%. I find the HBWC slightly more accurate but they do lead up things a bit more.
While I do own two M15's one of them (my fav. and competition revolver) likes the WC's better.
While I do own two M15's one of them (my fav. and competition revolver) likes the WC's better.
mike campbell
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I'll ask the question....
what is a cheap alternative to a lubed bullet that leaves my gun and hands coated with greasy black soot?
Protocall_Design
Vendor
I'm getting really good 50 yard groups with Bayou Bullets 138 gr. button nose wadcutter. These are polymer coated. They don't lead the barrel, are clean to reload with, and low smoke when shooting.
old&slow
Member
FYI , you might check out,, SNS Casting coated bullets, Missouri Bullets both cast and coated, Xtreme plated,,, those are a few of the ones I have used lately.. Coated bullets seem to smoke and lead less than cast.
How fast are you pushing them?
I like Zero 148 gr. swaged hollow base wadcutters. You can buy them at Roze Distribution, Inc. - Zero Bullets and Ammunition. Precision Deltas are supposed to be tops, too. A lot of bullseye pistol shooters swear by Remingtons, but I hear that they are out of production. With swaged hollow base wadcutter bullets, you must keep the velocity low, like around 760 fps or the "skirt' of the base will blow off and can cause big problems.
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