Looking for a .38 special target round recommendation

[-BTM-]

Way back in the 80’s I used a lot of HSM reloads, not sure about now but the quality was fine. They have a DEWC at a reasonable price on Ammoseek. The double-ended wadcutter is a bit smoother to load than the HBWC.

 

[GypsmJim]

Load your own.

Frankly, if you’re a shooter of anything short of rimfire and don’t reload in this age and day, you’re a fool.

I would not have said fool. Words I would use are complacent or unknowing. I understand that some people don't have the time, nor the desire, or are not home crapsman types.

After having been a reloader and .38 aficiando for about 55 years, and experimenting for much of that time, my recommendation would be for 158 grain Keith's Style bullets (Semi Wadcutters), driven by a moderate load of IMR 4227. This will be a bullseye buster for any snubby. Alternately, Bullseye or W231 should be fine for any longer barrel. The bullets should be hard cast.

I don't personally know if such a product is available on the commercial market, so my suggestion may be a moot point. I DO know, however, that if/when retail ammo becomes scarce (as it has many times in the past), my thirty eights will still be in use.

 

[StrawHat]

Load your own.

Frankly, if you’re a shooter of anything short of rimfire and don’t reload in this age and day, you’re a fool.

Maybe you don’t value your time, I do.

Between practice, leagues and matches, I used to shoot about 1500 rounds of 38 S&W Special a week. My Dillon 450 was a godsend and a frequent companion. One day a week I would crank out about 3000 rounds of 150 grain double ended wadcutters over 2.8 grains of Bullseye. It helped keep me in the top ranks.

Now, I usually shoot six rounds from my edc every week. Do I reload everything I shoot? Hell no! My time is worth a whole lot more and I can readily afford to buy my ammunition. I can make money, I can not make time.

I do sit down once a year and crank out about 1000 rounds of my edc loads, a 240 grain wadcutter over a hardball dose of powder.


Kevin

 

[Bruceboy]

The standard .38 Spl. bullseye target load for years was 148 gr. lead wadcutter over 2.7 - 2.9 gr. Bullseye (if you come across someone to load).
You should not have any leading issues with lead bullets in that gun.

Good luck and enjoy your new S&W.

Al

 

[Troystat]

You might try these, I have used their bullets for reloading. They sell loaded ammunition as well.

38 Spl Ammo | Precision Delta

 

[soFlaNative]

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

I just bought a case of these exact rounds for use a few different guns.
Glad to hear they have worked out for you.

I may jump on this even though I'm still running thru a large amount of Magtech 158gr. LRN I bought some years ago. I do need to shoot more. Reports of the Magtech being dirty and smoky are true to a point but not enough to matter much to me. My revolvers still clean easily.

 

[pharmer]

I may jump on this even though I'm still running thru a large amount of Magtech 158gr. LRN I bought some years ago. I do need to shoot more. Reports of the Magtech being dirty and smoky are true to a point but not enough to matter much to me. My revolvers still clean easily.

Get out Monday, it's as cool as it's gonna get until October. Down here "shooting season" is Oct 1 to Memorial day, opposite of most of the other 49 states. Joe

 

[Matt_X]

I may jump on this even though I'm still running thru a large amount of Magtech 158gr. LRN I bought some years ago. I do need to shoot more. Reports of the Magtech being dirty and smoky are true to a point but not enough to matter much to me. My revolvers still clean easily.

I've not seen such reports. In my own experience Magtech's 158 and 130 grain is not smokey at all. I often see bits of flame at the gap and suspect it burns fast. In contrast Remington 158 LRN is noticibly more smokey goes off with more of a boom than a crack, and is what I would describe as a traditional or classic cartidge.


Magtech is not my first choice, or second choice. I'll use it when its all the range has, but otherwise I've stopped buying their ammo. See my post here https://smith-wessonforum.com/142203863-post80.html

 

[Matt_X]

I want to buy a case of ammo for new classic 19 revolver for indoor range shooting.

Recommendations? I see cheap FMJ 130gr and 158gr. Lead semi-wad cutter probably makes nicer holes, but I'm concerned about cleaning afterwards. Is it an issue? Full wad-cutter actually cost more than the FMJ's.

In my experience wadcutters are the only bullet that will make a hole in the paper that is large and cleanly cut. Its been a while since I've shot LSWC but didn't notice it making a better hole than a round nose. Sometimes it seems that a flat nose FMJ is making cleaner holes than round nose rounds but I think the biggest factor is the paper and the backing material. The heavier grade papers, lying tight against cardboard tend to produce cleaner holes.


There are copper plated wadcutters. Precision One is one source of plated wadcutter cartridges. Yes they cost a bit more.

 

[Troystat]

You might try these guys.

38 Spl Ammo | Precision Delta

The go-to choice of shooters, Precision Delta Corporation is a manufacturer of high Quality Ammunition. We have 38 Super Comp Ammo available online

www.precisiondelta.com

 

[biku324]

Magtech 38B 148 grain wadcutters. It will cost you just shy of 40 cents a round but is problem-free. The brass is good as well.

 

[Rick H.]

Calling someone a "fool" isn't generally a good idea to get your point across. If you want to see some real "fools" just turn the news on, there's fools all over the place. If a person doesn't think they have the room to reload then they just aren't that interested in doing so. I started reloading when my wife and I lived in a one bedroom apartment and it took a bit of ingenuity to figure out how to accomplish the task. Almost 45 years later I have much more room, but it's taken up with much more stuff too so I still don't have enough room.

I don't shoot a lot anymore and I have cases of factory ammunition at my disposal, but I still shoot primarily my reloaded ammunition. If it gets to the point where I can't buy or find factory ammunition I know I will survive on my reloading experience and stored components for a good long time. Worst case scenario is I will start using my factory ammunition. To me that's a big benefit of reloading. The second benefit of reloading is being able to custom tailor my loads to what I want and not what the factory sells me. Those two items alone are well worth the price of admission to reloading.

I have introduced several people through the years to reloading. Some picked up on it and joined the reloading ranks and others saw what it involved and said "no thanks" and that's okay with me. They realized reloading wasn't as easy as it seemed and steered away from it. One individual was put off by the amount of initial money involved and he couldn't understand how much money he would save down the road. He quit shooting completely during the Obama shortage as he struggled to find ammo for even his .22's and he didn't want to pay the prices being asked. His loss, not mine.

You can't badger someone into reloading, they either have the desire or they don't and it doesn't help to call them names. If I had to I could reload on our kitchen table or even in a closet, but that's because I WANT to reload and I have already reloaded in a closet or on the kitchen table. It can be done. Certain calibers today are cheap enough that you can buy brand new ammo at about the same cost as reloading them, but I still reload for these cartridges. I like knowing I can effectively and safely take care of my ammunition needs without relying on store bought one size fit's all ammunition. All one really needs is the desire to reload and the rest will follow if they have a little patience.

Rick H.