RWS 38 special

[Frank46]

Last gun show one dealer has some RWS 38 special ammo loaded with 158 grain brass jacketed fmj. Bullet had an elongated truncated nose and flat point. I looked the ammo up on the RWS website CM38-S velocity muzzle 1132 fps
50yds 1079 fps
100 yds 1036 fps
Boxes are red and orange and have 50 rounds in each box. Cost is about 12-13$ a box. Seems to me that's pretty potent ammo
and would make a good defense round. The highest velocity for 38 special that I have seen was 950 fps. This stuff has got it beat. So if anyone has shot this ammo I for one would be greatfull for any comments, positive or negative. The case head is stamped RWS 38 special. I have tried their 124 grain 9mm luger ammo in my Baretta 92FS and feels more powerful
than the standard ww white box. Thanks Frank

 

[brucev]

RWS is an old and well respected German ammunition company. The price you quote is excellent. The velocity quoted from the website is open to some question. Such velocity would be remarkable. Of course Buffalo Bore produces some proven potent loads in a broad range of calibers. It is possible that RWS is onto something with the .38 Special. Still, it would be most interesting to see what these loads would do over a good chronograph when fired from a standard production revolver. I would imagine the velocity quoted is from a pressure test barrel. A 158 gr. FMJ would not be a particularly good choice for self-defense. The bullet shape simply does not offer much in the way of energy transfer. As well, it would grossly over-penetrate so much so that one would only likely have a through and through wound. There would be little damage unless a good hit was made on bone, an organ or a blood vessel. For self-defense use, one needs to choose a bullet/load that will offer the best combination of velocity, expansion and penetration. The previously mentioned Buffalo Bore .38 Special loads are very good. Also good are loads produced by the major manufacturers. The "F.B.I. Load" has also for years been extremely effective. HTH. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[zainyD]

RWS seems to be very good quality ammo. I have not shot any of the .38spl, but I have shot the 9mm and was impressed.

 

[alwslate]

I shot some of their 380 95gr fmj and it is averages about 30fps less
velocity than Federal or Rem-UMC in my guns.

 

[Frank46]

I also have shot the RWS 9mm 24grain and found it very accurate. What I was posting about was the listed velocities with the 158 grain bullet. 1170 at the muzzle is treading on the heels of the 357 magnum. Unles they are reloaded with a new powder which gives increased velocities without raising the pressure. Frank

 

[OKFC05]

Wrong data.
You looking at the 100 grain non-toxic load.

The RWS 158gr FMJ has a MV of 967 fps listed.
RWS USA

 

[Frank46]

Thanks for pointing that out for me. That's what happens when you are awake at 3am and neither the eyes nor the brain are working as well as they should be. Next show around here is in june so just might pick up a few boxes and see what they'll do in my model 10. Again thanks for the correction. Frank

 

[Bucky]

RWS is an old and well respected German ammunition company. .

A lot of the ammo RWS has been marketing is made elsewhere I've noticed though. Much is repackaged Hungarian MFS ammo which I had problems with in a 25-2 about 10 years ago.

The 9mm is actually Swiss and very high quality but strangely has a bimetal magnetic bullet jacket.

 

[Frank46]

I've shot the RWS swiss made 124 grain ammo in my sig P6. And had excellent accuracy. And I think you are right about the 38 special that I mentioned being manufactured in Hungary. If I do get some will check the box and let you know. Thanks, Frank

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ammo loaded in Germany is loaded to C.I.P. pressure limits, not SAAMI pressure limits. CIP limits for the .38 Special are 21,500 PSI and there is no separate listing for the .38 Special +P like with SAAMI.

It's possible that ammo does deliver the velocity listed but it's also possible the pressures are much higher than any of the ammo made by American companies too. Just be aware of the possibility...

 

[moxie]

Even 967 fps is pretty zippy.

The bullet, as noted above, is not especially good for SD.

 

[Frank46]

ArchAngelCD, Thanks for the tip regarding the CIP versus SAAMI pressures, I had not thought about that. Thanks, Frank

 

[Frank46]

Never made it to the gunshow this weekend. My arthritius (spelling?) kicked up after cutting the grass on friday. So hopefully will hit the next one. At least I saved some money I didn't have. Sounds crazy but living on a fixed income will do that to a guy. Frank