Norma makes a 38 special 158gr FMJ flat point load. Anybody ever use this? Any comments?
Thanks
Thanks
Norma 38 spl load
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I bought my 4 inch 686 last year after the pandemic had made 38 Special hard to find and expensive. That was the only reasonably priced 38 special I could find. It has mild recoil and since it doesn't have a lead bullet it is less smoky and cleaner than ammo with RNL bullets.
I have never shot my 686 off a rest so I cannot tell what sort of groups it is capable when fired single action at 25 yards. When fired offhand at paper or steel plates the accuracy seems fine but that's a pretty low bar.
I have never shot my 686 off a rest so I cannot tell what sort of groups it is capable when fired single action at 25 yards. When fired offhand at paper or steel plates the accuracy seems fine but that's a pretty low bar.
Well it is not better the 158 gr. Round Nose Lead Bullet for self defense if that is your purpose. For self-defense 158 gr. Lead Semi-Wadcutter is better as the sharp shoulder on it cuts into rather than just pushing tissue aside.
I like the FMJ-FN for range work and buy it by the case lot.
Here is an article offering pros and cons between flat and rounded nose bullets...
Full Metal Jacket Flat Nose Ammo at Ammo.com: FMJ-FN Explained
Here is an article offering pros and cons between flat and rounded nose bullets...
Full Metal Jacket Flat Nose Ammo at Ammo.com: FMJ-FN Explained
Bought two boxes of the Norma .38 Special 158 gr. FMJ ammo because I was just about to die to shoot my new (to me) gorgeous blued 4 inch 586. Shooting standing w/ two hand hold this ammo produced excellent on target results. POA = POI. Judging from recoil, appears to be full power load rather than loaded down to pipsqueak level. Very good ammo. Sincerely. bruce.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Norma has always maintained an excellent reputation for quality and performance.
I've been rolling my own ammo for many years so I have seldom felt the need to purchase factory ammo. I wouldn't hesitate to use Norma products.
I've been rolling my own ammo for many years so I have seldom felt the need to purchase factory ammo. I wouldn't hesitate to use Norma products.
I love Norma ammo. I have it in 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 9mm, 40S&W, and 45acp.
In checking out the NormaShooting website this morning, their 38 Special training ammo is $30 a box. You can do better elsewhere. There are quite a few vendors selling 38 Special ammo for $20 a box. Do a search on ammoseek.com for some more affordable choices (one vendor has the Norma 38 Special for $20.99 a box of 50).
In checking out the NormaShooting website this morning, their 38 Special training ammo is $30 a box. You can do better elsewhere. There are quite a few vendors selling 38 Special ammo for $20 a box. Do a search on ammoseek.com for some more affordable choices (one vendor has the Norma 38 Special for $20.99 a box of 50).
rockquarry
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Off track, sure, but a bit of trivial history for Norma fans, many of whom already know this....Norma made the hottest .38 Special load of the day, late '60s to early '70s before the +P designation - a 110 grain JHP at an advertised 1500 + fps muzzle velocity. Pressure was in the 27,000 -28,000 range per testing at the Super Vel shop. I'd have to look up exact figures, but that was some warm factory ammo.
No one asked if it "was okay to shoot it in a (fill in the blank)". If the revolver was marked .38 Special and the ammo was marked .38 Special, the two were compatible during that era.
No one asked if it "was okay to shoot it in a (fill in the blank)". If the revolver was marked .38 Special and the ammo was marked .38 Special, the two were compatible during that era.
OP
I still have a box of Super Vels
rockquarry
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Again, I'd have to look up the article in an old HANDLOADER magazine from 1970, but the Super Vel 110 grain JHP load was a lower pressure load (around 19,000, I think) than the Norma which was followed by one from Remington (25,000?). I don't know which was the most popular of the three, but I'd guess Super Vel. When these were all available, I don't remember anyone mentioning anything but Super Vel.
I wonder what the pressure is on that Norma. Europeon .38spl is loaded to CIP standards. The Perfecta 158gr fmjrn was hot. Larry Gibson ran a pressure trace on the Perfecta for me and it ran 20,100psi. I saw the Perfecta chronoed on the interweb in a M-10 4" HB at 899fps. That is pretty good for a jacketed bullet with the Xtra friction.
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rockquarry
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I'd have to look up the exact numbers; app. 27,000 -28,000 for the Norma ammo as previously mentioned. Super Vel's Lee Jurras personally did the pressure testing.
Fishinfool
Member
Pete - A couple years ago, when the Norma USA website was first up, and they were offering free shipping and a 10% "new order" discount, I ordered a case of the .38 spl 158 FMJFP. Don't remember the price, but it was cheaper than anywhere else at the time I could find, and it gave me some fresh .38 brass to reload.
My impression is it is loaded a little hotter then the .38 spl 130 FMJRN you usually see as bulk ammo, more accurate (in my guns), and the FP design cuts nice holes in paper. Probably be a good small game load as well. I liked it.
The brass is great quality, and reloads fine with no primer fit issues, case splits, weak bullet pull, ect. I do see where prices are higher now.
PS - Wanted to add that some European ammo seems to be noted for "hard" primers. I have fired the last 100 round or so thru my new Python - A gun noted by some to have a weak DA hammer strike. No issues with ignition.
Larry
My impression is it is loaded a little hotter then the .38 spl 130 FMJRN you usually see as bulk ammo, more accurate (in my guns), and the FP design cuts nice holes in paper. Probably be a good small game load as well. I liked it.
The brass is great quality, and reloads fine with no primer fit issues, case splits, weak bullet pull, ect. I do see where prices are higher now.
PS - Wanted to add that some European ammo seems to be noted for "hard" primers. I have fired the last 100 round or so thru my new Python - A gun noted by some to have a weak DA hammer strike. No issues with ignition.
Larry
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^^^what he said. Around 1980, Norma came out with their ".38 Magnum" load with the same 110gr bullet, but it was nowhere near as warm as the 1976 original. Unfortunately, the HP was shallow, barely a dimple in the nose of the bullet.
I carried that original anyway for a while without telling anyone. I was glad of it at 1 AM once in a subway car coming home from an off-duty security job. I'll leave it at that...
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Geeorge
Member
Back in the late 1970's when I first started shooting and carrying a handgun we use to shoot Speer Lawman alot. It was like $5.99 for a box of 50 jacketed soft point shells . Found an unopened box of it on gunbroker about 15 years ago and bought it just to have for a memory. It used to beat up my first handgun a pinned and recessed nickel model 19 4in.
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Rock185
US Veteran
I've used some NORMA ammo over the years, but can't recall whether or not I tried the .38 158 FMJ. Looking at my notes, I see I did test some GECO 158 grain FMJ. In a 2" revolver it averaged 725 FPS, in a 4" revolver 800 FPS. I wonder if NORMA ballistics might be similar?
I would not mind buying Norma ammo, since I think their
brass is top of the line stuff.
brass is top of the line stuff.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I agree, they do make great brass and the ammo isn't bad either.
