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I pleaded for both sides, so not a complete hijack.
Looking for a .38 special target round recommendation
- Thread starter Zimm
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I pleaded for both sides, so not a complete hijack.
Glenn R. McMannly
Member
You should reload.
Seems like the best price per round right now is 158gr plated flat points.
LAX Ammunition 38 Spl 158 gr Flat Point (FP) New 250 Ct | Freedom Munitions
Armscor is cheaper, but people have reported issues. LAX seems OK.
I’m a hardcore reloader so I’ve never actually used it. 158 grain is the “classic” 38/357 bullet weight.
LAX Ammunition 38 Spl 158 gr Flat Point (FP) New 250 Ct | Freedom Munitions
Armscor is cheaper, but people have reported issues. LAX seems OK.
I’m a hardcore reloader so I’ve never actually used it. 158 grain is the “classic” 38/357 bullet weight.
How good is the ventilation at that indoor range? If it's strong enough that you can actually feel it - it should be blowing away from you and toward the targets - lead bullets will do fine. Otherwise, I'd go with jacketed.
Jacketed standard-velocity .38 Special ammo is available in both 130-grain and 158-grain varieties. Your gun may prefer one or the other or shoot equally well with both. I'd get a few boxes of different brands of both bullet weights and try them out before buying a full case of ammo. You can't buy a case of .38 with pocket change, so the research can save both money and heartburn in the long run.
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I may lack your experience, but I've been handloading a while.
If you don’t reload the Remington buckets are pretty good. Pop the top and grab some. I reload some but like the buckets too.
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In my experience of 50 years shooting 38 special revolvers, the most accurate target rounds are Remington factory 148 grain wadcutters. The second most accurate are my hand loads which use 158 grain RNL bullets. If you revolver's spec's are all correct and you are shooting relatively low velocity loads, you should not get any significant leading. A slight amount is easily removed with a bronze bore brush and a little Hoppes 9.
Over the last decade lead bullets have been polymer coated which pretty well prevents leading and also requires no wax lube like regular lead bullets do. Therefore you also eliminate much of the smoke which is mostly the wax burning upon ignition. BTW, they are pretty comparable in price to raw lead bullets so they won't break the bank.
130 grain FMJ bullets (the old military spec's) will not shoot POA = POI in most revolver I have tried them in. They are also not as accurate as I demand. In fact, their only major advantage is that they are usually cheap - but you get what you pay for as far as accuracy is concerned.
Over the last decade lead bullets have been polymer coated which pretty well prevents leading and also requires no wax lube like regular lead bullets do. Therefore you also eliminate much of the smoke which is mostly the wax burning upon ignition. BTW, they are pretty comparable in price to raw lead bullets so they won't break the bank.
130 grain FMJ bullets (the old military spec's) will not shoot POA = POI in most revolver I have tried them in. They are also not as accurate as I demand. In fact, their only major advantage is that they are usually cheap - but you get what you pay for as far as accuracy is concerned.
I've never had a problem cleaning....
I've shot a LOT of soft lead wadcutters and semi wadcutters in the 800 fps range and never had any problem cleaning up. However JHP is cleaner and there lots of brands you can buy by the case.
I see Miwall has 20 boxes of Sellier and Bellot wadcutters 21.95/50. And plenty of places sell FMJ by the case.
I kind of get the best of both worlds shooting Missouri Bullets coated bullets that I reload. They cost 12¢ each and are very clean.
I've shot a LOT of soft lead wadcutters and semi wadcutters in the 800 fps range and never had any problem cleaning up. However JHP is cleaner and there lots of brands you can buy by the case.
I see Miwall has 20 boxes of Sellier and Bellot wadcutters 21.95/50. And plenty of places sell FMJ by the case.
I kind of get the best of both worlds shooting Missouri Bullets coated bullets that I reload. They cost 12¢ each and are very clean.
gwpercle
Member
Some things I have learned in the last 50 years of handgun shooting .
1. You get what you pay for , Cheap ammo is seldom better than the more expensive 148 gr. HBWC Target Loads ... they are designed and built for Ten-Ring accuracy .
2. Don't buy just One Type ammo ... buy several and see what Your Gun and You shoot best ... My gun may love Brand X ... your's may Detest the stuff .
3. Clean Your Gun After Every Shooting Session .
and brush out the cylinders so you don't get any build up .
4, The Best ammo is ammo you reload yourself ... You can take your time , do it right and have first class target ammo .
I even cast my own wadcutter bullets for cost savings and for perfect bullets .
Gary
1. You get what you pay for , Cheap ammo is seldom better than the more expensive 148 gr. HBWC Target Loads ... they are designed and built for Ten-Ring accuracy .
2. Don't buy just One Type ammo ... buy several and see what Your Gun and You shoot best ... My gun may love Brand X ... your's may Detest the stuff .
3. Clean Your Gun After Every Shooting Session .
and brush out the cylinders so you don't get any build up .
4, The Best ammo is ammo you reload yourself ... You can take your time , do it right and have first class target ammo .
I even cast my own wadcutter bullets for cost savings and for perfect bullets .
Gary
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If'n I'm shooting .38spl this is about the only brand and load I use. I prefer the HP but they are currently out. 500 rds of them to get "full case free shipping." Joe
Prvi Partizan 38 Special Ammunition 158 Grain Semi-Wadcutter PPH38SS
Prvi Partizan 38 Special Ammunition 158 Grain Semi-Wadcutter PPH38SS
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Leading is usually not an issue with mild target loads. Most of the 38 ammo I buy is 130 or 132 FMJ due to price. I ordered a case of PMC 132 grain FMJ this weekend but have not been disappointed by similar products from other companies. I will pay a bit more for 148 grain wadcutters if the price is reasonable. The wadcutters tend to be more accurate and leave a nice clean hole but tend to be a bit more expensive. If you or someone that shoots your gun is recoil sensitive the wadcutters typically have significantly less recoil too. Never had a leading issue with the wadcutters due to their being so mild.
There was a 20 year period where I reloaded a lot of calibers and found it enjoyable. Then it started to feel like a chore and I realized I was not shooting much because I did want to reload, not because I did not want to go shooting. So I quit and now buy ammo by the case. Reloading is now on a growing list of things I used to do myself but now hire someone else to do, including yard work, changing my own oil and car repair. No regrets about outsourcing any of those tasks.
There was a 20 year period where I reloaded a lot of calibers and found it enjoyable. Then it started to feel like a chore and I realized I was not shooting much because I did want to reload, not because I did not want to go shooting. So I quit and now buy ammo by the case. Reloading is now on a growing list of things I used to do myself but now hire someone else to do, including yard work, changing my own oil and car repair. No regrets about outsourcing any of those tasks.
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I can't say I enjoy reloading. Which is not to say it's a chore. I find it interesting and a challenge.
When I first started, it was to shoot more for the same money. As time went on and I had more money I upgraded. I went from a single stage to also having a Dillon (RL450) and a RCBS Green Machine. I started casting bullets. One day I turned around and realized I didn't have time for it. I overdid it. House, cars, kids, demanding job.
I throttled back. Time prevented me from shooting a whole lot. I kept the Dillon because that saved me time. I stopped casting and sold the RCBS Green Machine.
Now I'm retired and I have all the time in the world. The Dillon 450 got upgraded to a 550 frame. I bought a single stage for side tasks.
I started casting bullets again. Here over the winter when it's not so I hot I have managed to cast and powder coat almost 8,000 bullets. They still need sizing. Did not feel like a chore. I like puttering around the garage. Now it's more about staying busy.
When I first started, it was to shoot more for the same money. As time went on and I had more money I upgraded. I went from a single stage to also having a Dillon (RL450) and a RCBS Green Machine. I started casting bullets. One day I turned around and realized I didn't have time for it. I overdid it. House, cars, kids, demanding job.
I throttled back. Time prevented me from shooting a whole lot. I kept the Dillon because that saved me time. I stopped casting and sold the RCBS Green Machine.
Now I'm retired and I have all the time in the world. The Dillon 450 got upgraded to a 550 frame. I bought a single stage for side tasks.
I started casting bullets again. Here over the winter when it's not so I hot I have managed to cast and powder coat almost 8,000 bullets. They still need sizing. Did not feel like a chore. I like puttering around the garage. Now it's more about staying busy.
To be blunt, the vast majority of revolver owners don't shoot well enough to see any difference in handgun ammo. Buy what is cheapest, if you are in that group. If you are skilled in marksmanship, buy some individual boxes of ammo and test to see what is the most accurate before buying a case. Usually that will be something with moderate velocity and a lead bullet. All revolvers need to be kept clean, but in the good ones, leading isn't such an issue as some people think. Just like any good firearm, keeping the gun clean regularly will prevent any problem buildups of lead or powder fowling.
My pappy told me on shooting any ammo..........
if you can't see any holes, move a little closer to the target.
If cleaning the gun is bothering you,
take up darts.
if you can't see any holes, move a little closer to the target.
If cleaning the gun is bothering you,
take up darts.
VaTom
Member
I am not an expert by any means. The Model 10 (fixed sights) is regulated / designed around 158 grain bullet. Of course the Model 19 has adjustable sights so you can adjust your sights to hit the point of aim to the bullet weight. Back in the day we carried 4” Model 10s and we we qualified and trained with 148 grain wadcutters. Don’t know if this helps your selection. I buy the heavier rounds when I can find them. I do not reload. Any experts correct me if I am wrong.
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ezb57
Member
I just bought a case of these exact rounds for use a few different guns.
Glad to hear they have worked out for you.
Federal 38A. Pricey and hard to find, dont think ive ever seen it in the wild, always special ordered it.
Now that's quite a statement ....I wonder how many "fools' are on this forum ?
I'm a double fool. I can afford ammo, not time. I also bought this for $30 at a garage sale a couple years back. Joe
I'm a double fool. I can afford ammo, not time. I also bought this for $30 at a garage sale a couple years back. Joe
For $30, that's a good, serviceable setup.
