J frame ammo question

[71velle]

I am still real new to handguns and not to sure about LRN ammo vs FMJ. I am a little odd that I am not a carry often shoot little person with my 642, I find it is a ton of fun to shoot. The problem is that ammo for the 38 is expensive and the FMJ prices are about 50 cents a round compared to 40 cents for LRN.

I have heard concerns about leading the barrel with LRN, what do I need to know? I have a brass barrel brush and CLP cleaner is that ok? Lastly, should I just cough up the extra money to shoot the FMJ?

Thanks for the advice. I have found this forum to be enjoyable the information to be outstanding!

 

[MichiganScott]

If it leads up, buy a Lewis Lead Remover from Brownell's. Nothing better.

If you bet your life on a gun you owe it to yourself to practice often. Shoot the cheap stuff and buy good ammunition for social purposes.

 

[American1776]

I personally dislike shooting unjacketed rounds.

The way I buy ammo these days is this:
1. The cheapest stuff I can find (I won't shoot it at the range if I don't have to, but I'll stack it cheap and deep in case ammo gets REAL scarce)
2. My range ammo, which is always jacketed or semi jacketed. I HATE cleaning the fouling from the lead bullets. I've even found FMJ for my 41 magnum.
3. Defense/carry ammo: have 200 or so rounds of the really good stuff/hot stuff. Every now and then shoot a cylinder of it to keep things fresh in my mind.

For the range, I pay the little extra to shoot the copper jackets so I don't have to spend 2 hours (vs. the 1 hour) to clean one gun.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Depending on your location, you might do better buying on-line and having it shipped to your door.

If you do, it is pretty easy to beat your $0.40/round price point buying name brand FMJ from reputable suppliers.

Here is a link to one of the shopping tools that lists most of what is available from on-line sources: 38 special ammo handgun

 

[arjay]

The next time you're at the grocery store, pick up some copper chore boy.Wrap a few strands around the bore brush and the lead fouling will be out in seconds.

 

[71velle]

Depending on your location, you might do better buying on-line and having it shipped to your door.



If you do, it is pretty easy to beat your $0.40/round price point buying name brand FMJ from reputable suppliers.



Here is a link to one of the shopping tools that lists most of what is available from on-line sources: 38 special ammo handgun

Unfortunately I live in New York and I don't think that anyone will ship ammo to me since the safe act laws went into effect.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Unfortunately I live in New York and I don't think that anyone will ship ammo to me since the safe act laws went into effect.

Oh, sorry . . . your location does not show in your post.

 

[71velle]

Oh, sorry . . . your location does not show in your post.

Sorry, Fixed

 

[TucsonMTB]

Sorry, Fixed

Cool! I promise not to rub salt in your wounds again, sir.

 

[shooter1911]

The next time you're at the grocery store, pick up some copper chore boy.Wrap a few strands around the bore brush and the lead fouling will be out in seconds.

Yep, that's what I use. Be sure it's really copper and not just copper plated. Walgreens carries the original Chore Boy.

 

[pipeliner]

Chore Boy is the best

 

[mike from st pete]

Handload, plated bullets?
I have not purchased range 38 or 44 in years. Revolver shooting makes chasing brass easier than shooting semi-autos.