38 spl training/target ammo

[rbmorse]

Wife picked up a nice model 10-11 with laser for a good price and will be using it to develop basic skills and overall proficiency.

Now it's up to me to stock appropriate ammo. 125g or 158g? Or does it matter?

 

[alwslate]

It's really up to you. The old standard load is a 158 gr lead RN at
standard pressure. 125 gr ammo is probably used most often as a JHP
+P round, point of impact will be lower on target than the 158 gr. Lead
bullets are easier on the gun barrel as is standard pressure ammo.
Good prices on 38 spl ammo by the case are available at sgammo.com.

 

[soFlaNative]

I've been using American Eagle 158gr. LRN but it's getting hard to find at less than $0.35 a round. I'm a ways from starting to reload, still gathering equipment and supplies. I'm not familiar with similar loads from Prvi, Magtech or Geco. Any opinions or experience regarding the quality of these brands? Pretty good deals from sgammo even with shipping.

 

[kaaskop49]

I've been using American Eagle 158gr. LRN but it's getting hard to find at less than $0.35 a round. I'm a ways from starting to reload, still gathering equipment and supplies. I'm not familiar with similar loads from Prvi, Magtech or Geco. Any opinions or experience regarding the quality of these brands? Pretty good deals from sgammo even with shipping.

Perhaps I'm not that finicky, but I have little trouble with any standard velocity, service/practice ammo. The 130gr FMJ ball .38 practice ammo is most common here in the valley. It is loaded very lightly, 158gr LRN is snappy in comparison. AP (Armscor Precision) .38 FMJ is hot: when it was available, I restricted it to steel- and larger-frame guns.

Prices? Yes, they're rising, but perhaps you can order by the case and get a better per-shot price. Right now, there's ammo out there. Good time to pick some up?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Muss Muggins]

Perhaps I'm not that finicky, but I have little trouble with any standard velocity, service/practice ammo. The 130gr FMJ ball .38 practice ammo is most common here in the valley. It is loaded very lightly, 158gr LRN is snappy in comparison. AP (Armscor Precision) .38 FMJ is hot: when it was available, I restricted it to steel- and larger-frame guns.

Prices? Yes, they're rising, but perhaps you can order by the case and get a better per-shot price. Right now, there's ammo out there. Good time to pick some up?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I agree. Pick up a variety, and stick with what trips your trigger the best . . .

 

[Targets Guy]

Federal makes a nice range ammo. 130grain.

 

[Kurt kaBOOM]

Check it Zero Bullets. I just bought 1K rounds reloaded 158gr LSWC for about .23/round. Free shipping on the one thousand orders.
Kurt

 

[chief38]

I would recommend the 158 grain ammo simply because that's exactly what the M10 was originally designed to shoot. More than likely the 158's will also give you the best accuracy as well - especially since you have a fixed sight Revolver.

You can get either Federal, Winchester or Remington Standard velocity 158 grain RNL ammo on sale for around $17 Bucks a box of 50 rounds. While I would never recommend using that ammo (RNL) for SD / HD use, it is GREAT and ACCURATE for target shooting, plinking and practice. It is a mild load in the standard velocity version and readily available. I'd also stay FAR AWAY from the 130 grain RNFP (military round) FMJ Winchester and others often has on sale. Not that it will hurt your gun, but I find it is not as accurate as the 158's and Copper (at least for me) is a bigger pain to remove than Lead is.

 

[Duckford]

Some calibers seem to have a "native" bullet weight, the one that general iron sight weapons are regulated to, and have been long known to be generally the best weight for cartridge overall. There is a reason why 255 grain never goes away for .451-.455, 240 grain sticks around .429, and why 158 grain has been consi9dered standard for .357. When it comes to the weapons, barrels, and cartridge, there is a standard bullet at some point that stands out. Such numbers aren't accidents.

As has been said, the Model 10's sights are regulated for it, and also, 158 grain bullets are basically the right weight and general build for the .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Not only is it the natural choice for your fixed sights, but easily argued the very best choice for an entire handgun caliber.

 

[Nevada Ed]

True that the M10 standard ammo back then was the 158 and 148 lead bullets for target practice but..........

the 148 has a high price tag on it and the 158 has a higher recoil ............
todays modern jacket 130gr has the best of both worlds.
Lower recoil than the 158 and less cost than the 148.

they will all work, try a box of each and go with the one you like the best...... if you can find the ammo.

 

[soFlaNative]

Thanks for the replies. I'll stick with the 158 LRN practice ammo for my J,K and L frames because I've settled on the Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHP for the SD /HD loads in all but for +P in the L. Just wondered if any have had issues with the Magtech, Prvi or Geco factory cartridges since they seem to be 5 - 6 bucks less than American Eagle for a box of 50 before I spring for 1,000. The AE is good, minimal fouling and no leading to speak of but I'm down to about 120 rounds and I can chew through those quickly. I'll just have to look further locally to see what's available.

 

[alwslate]

You could order a couple of boxes of each to give them a try before
you commit to a case and still pay less than your local price. I have
used all three brands you mention but not in the 38 spl ammo so I
couldn't comment on it. I would probably buy Magtech or Geco before
I would buy Privi based on my experience with other calibers but for
your purpose the best buy might be whichever is the cheapest.

 

[Otreb]

I shoot a bunch of Magtech ammo in .38sp, usually the 158gr fmj flat points. It's good accurate reliable ammo.
It's not unusual for me to get very good groups using the MT stuff at 25yrds from any of my Ruger, S&W, Taurus or Colt revolvers.

They don't offer much in the way of defensive ammo, but I really like their range stuff.

 

[rwsmith]

The model 10 is......

The model 10 is comfortable to shoot. +P ammo has a little more snap but it takes about 5 minutes to get used to it. I like the 'try a few boxes out' idea.