Just starting out in revolver Bullseye pistol competition. any recommendations on .38 Special commercial ammo?
Winchester 38 Special Super Match 148 gr X38SMRP or Federal Premium Gold Medal Match 148 gr. GM38A?
Any online deals?
I’ve always had great luck with Federal Match 38 wadcutters. I’ve also stocked up on Federal primers and once fired Federal brass for the future.
Have not seen any deals on .38 Special aside from 130 FMJ or 158 LRN.
Roll your own Wadcutters if you can. Factory loads are pricy.
Both my K38 Target and Model 14 are very accurate with the 148 gr wadcutter… even with cheap bulk practice loads.
I forgot to mention that I have had excellent accuracy from WW231 powder and Zero 148 gr. hollow base wadcutters but the accuracy from box to box of the Federal commercial match ammo has been outstanding. I just wish the price wasn’t so high.
Ammo To Go has the X38SMRP,but it’s almost 28 bucks for 50 rounds. Never thought I’d see wadcutters cost that much.Better to reload.
Midway had S&B, Fiocchi, and Magtech for around $20 per 50. Buying in bulk is the only way to make it pay as far as shipping is concerned. I’ve used just about every brand of commercially available .38 148 gr wadcutter ammo, and it’s all shot the same out of both my S&W M52 and whatever revolver i was using at the time. Don’t waste your money on Winchester or Federal Gold Match. You can beat the price by using S&B, Fiocchi, or Magtech and still get the accuracy you’re looking for.
I was unpleasantly surprised at the price of 38 special upon getting into revolvers…
I think I’m going to pick up 1000 of these soon…
http://uniqueprecisionbullets.com/38.htm
For generic training stuff Rocky Mountain Reloading sells a couple different types of .38 for around $100/1000 shipped. NOT competition grade though. Mainly a hollowpoint and a flat nosed plated are what you’ll find there.
Accuracy is firearm dependent. I have a Colt Officer’s Model Target that shoots best with FCGM. My Python doesn’t really like it. It’s worthwhile to buy a bunch of different ones to test. The best approach is to handload. Remington HBWC are the most accurate.
In September 1976 Ken Waters wrote an excellent article on wadcutters in Handloader. Get a copy if you’re serious about Bullseye.
I just started loading 38 ammo. Initially was using HS6 as i had it laying around from loading 9mm. HS6 is really dense, so it doesn’t fill the case visibly. Absolutely terrified of an overcharge i picked up some Trail Boss powder. The HS6 also seemed to be position sensitive, ie if the powder hadn’t settled against the primer ignition could be compromised (and a bullet could be lodged in the &*%$ing barrel) More crimp might reduce that problem? not sure i’m new to this cowboy stuff.
It’s super loamy (actually looks like little donuts) so it fills the case nicely. also extremely low recoil (i’m shooting a j-frame) and clean burning.
seems very accurate, though obviously my beat up airweight is not a target pistol.