Tried Some Different .38 Special Range Ammunition

Stephen A. Camp

Absent Comrade
Joined
Jun 7, 2003
Messages
112
Reaction score
19
Location
Denton, Texas, USA
Hello. It seems that one consequence of the lingering ammunition shortage is trying brands we've not used before and so it was for me with respect to two different .38 Special loads I fired today through a 4" S&W Model 10 HB.

Both loads were described as being standard-pressure, non-corrosive, boxer-primed and loaded with 158-gr. LRN bullets. These were from Lapua (Finland) and Prvi Partizan (Serbia).

38AmmoTestwith4inModel10008.jpg

Both of these rounds had brass cases and had LRN bullets but the Lapua (left) was noticeably more pointed than the Serbian ammunition.

38AmmoTestwith4inModel10017.jpg

It was not easy to see, but I think that the Lapua cartridges had sealed primers. The bright red sealant on the Prvi Partizan leaves no doubt that it is.

38AmmoTestwith4inModel10001.jpg

The Lapua came packaged in a 50-round plastic box. The lid is "hinged" on one of the long sides but the plastic is about as thin as it can be and still actually be there! Even if the lid on this box has been closed, it still will not prevent all fifty of the rounds from going everywhere if the box is inadvertently knocked off of the shooting bench! (Don't ask me how I know...)

38AmmoTestwith4inModel10003.jpg

The Serbian ammunition was packaged in 50-round cardboard boxes.

Finish on some of the Lapua ammo was considerably more tarnished than the Prvi Partizan and I think it may be quite a bit older. The Lapua was bought in a sealed metal tin containing 700 rounds or 14 fifty-round plastic boxes. The Prvi Partizan came with every 5 boxes sealed in plastic. I have no idea if that was from the manufacturer or distributer.

I fired 10 shots of each load for the below-listed average velocities, extreme spreads and standard deviations. The muzzle of my revolver was a measured 10' from the first chronograph screen. Here's what shook out:

.38 Special Lapua 158-gr. LRN:

Average Velocity: 890 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 26
Std. Deviation: 11

.38 Special Prvi Partizan 158-gr. LRN:

Average Velocity: 804 ft/sec
Extreme Spread: 40
Std. Deviation: 16

Both burned clean and a total of but fifty shots of each load were fired. (Short on time and it was raining intermittenly.)

38AmmoTestwith4inModel10016.jpg

Both loads shot essentially to the sights of my Model 10-6 Heavy Barrel revolver and both seem to group satisfactorily to me, at least in this initial range session.

I shot at 12 yards because to get to the 15-yard backstop and staple targets, I'd have to stand in about 3" of water. I attached my targets to the 10-yard backstop and took two "long" steps back from the table for the estimated 12-yard distance.

Today's shooting was done standing and in slow double-action-only using a two-hand hold. There were no malfunctions with either load. Initially, it does appear that either will be fine for informal target shooting but I have not tried either of these loads before or at any distances greater than today's distance.

Much of the time, I continue to use handloaded ammunition but since not everyone reloads, I thought that some might find this information of at least some use. (For those who do reload, the description that both are boxer-primed is true.)

Should anyone be interested, here is where I bought the Lapua .38 Special:

LEAD ROUND NOSE Ammo : Ammunition To Go

(I am in no way associated with this company nor am I receiving any sort of favors or payment from them for this post.)

I do not remember where I bought the Prvi Partizan. It was a good while back and I've slept since then. I think I paid $11 or $12 per box but just don't remember. If it can be found "right", it does appear to be good range fodder from my admittedly limited preliminary shooting session. I believe that either load would serve well.

Best.
 
Register to hide this ad
Yet another great read.
Done by a great shooter!
Thanks once again Mr. C!
(Any way you could get about the business of tightening up those sloppy groups?)
 
Great info, thanks for posting! Sharing your actual test results is more meaningful than some posters who only restate what they have read or heard elsewhere on the internet. That 890 fps from a 4" sounds pretty good. I have some CCI 158 grain ammo with the same shape lead bullet.
 
Excellent report. Thanks for the info. I had noticed my small local gun shop has been selling a lot of both those brands. Probably cause it is all he can get. Good to know it works well.
He had bought a large quantity of some surplus French .380 ammo that was really bad. Half of it did not even fire, at least he was able to send it back for a refund.
 
Lapua is regarded as one of the best in the world when it comes to quality. Prvi Partizan is darn good stuff to. Certainly better than the cheap 'promo brand' stuff American makers have been churning out.
 
I have shot the Prvi Partizan out of my Mdl 14 and like it. I used it @25 yds with my arms (not the revolver) on a rest. With my 58 y/o trifocaled eyes I could hold 2 inch groups,sometimes less. When I get my new glasses I hope to better it.
I normally load my own in everything I shoot. Just bought these in case I fall behind on my loading.
 
Thank you for a very informative report.

I'm a little surprised by the velocity of the Lapua ammo.
890 fps of 158gr bullet is getting very close to the US factory loads for 158gr LSWCHP +P ammo. I believe I got about 900 fps from Winchester 158gr LSWCHP +P ammo out of my 4" Model 66.
 
Back
Top