How much ammo should i take to the range?

[JP from Phoenix]

I only have one gun, I was thinking a box of .38 and a box of .357 will work is that enough? the range is kind of far away from my house and anything else for that matter. I'm not sure how long 100 rounds will last me, I'm not trying to spend an arm and a leg either since i need to buy plugs muffs eye protection and targets as well.

 

[indie]

I'm a new shooter as well.

Since 38 special will be significantly cheaper and easier to shoot. You might want to take about 100-150 rounds of 38 special and 20 rounds of 357 mag. That should last you 1-2 hours,if youre learning your weapon and taking your time .

Youre probably not going to want to shoot 50 rounds of 357 magnum in a single session.


Get the 33db noise reduction foam ear plugs, only a couple bucks per pack and they worked great for me, my wife, and my best friend at the range sunday, and some eye protection from walmart for under 10 bucks. If youre going to an indoor range, they will likely have eye and ear protection for rent for a couple of dollars.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

Whats a decent ammo to take to the range BTW i dont want to break the bank but also dont want cheapo stuff that will mess up my new gun

 

[fletcher]

That's plenty of ammo for a range trip. Don't worry about "cheapo" ammo too much, especially for revolvers. The most cheap stuff will do is FTF/FTE, but that's for autos.

Winchester white box would be fine to use.

 

[fletcher]

Oops - double post. Delete please.

 

[indie]

actually, i havent tried much. I ordered a bunch of 38 Special 158 grain LSWC +p ammo from georgia arms.com when i bought my gun a month or two ago. $17.50 per 100. Its been perfect. I've been using my defensive round for practice because its been more affordable for me to order bulk ammo than to buy at walmart.


I also bought a box of what was cheapest at walmart because my friend had a really old 38 special revolver that belonged to his grandfather he wanted to try. Remington was all they had in regular .38 special at the time..but it was pretty expensive, like $12 a box of 50.


All of it shot well. I think its pretty hard to mess up a modern 357 magnum with a 38 special round.

 

[JP from Phoenix]

how about .357 ammo? I want to bring some of that too, where is good places to buy for good prices aside from the net., i don't have time to wait for shipping

 

[fletcher]

Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, your local gun store.

 

[ZeSpectre]

how about .357 ammo? I want to bring some of that too, where is good places to buy for good prices aside from the net., i don't have time to wait for shipping

Wal Mart.
Winchester White Box or Remington UMC. Both tend to be a little dirty but all that means in a revolver is some extra cleanup time.

I've also occasionally found places carrying "Independence" reloaded ammo. It's dirty as hell but cheap and hasn't given me any trouble in my revolvers.

 

[texas bulldog]

Youre probably not going to want to shoot 50 rounds of 357 magnum in a single session.

totally depends on the gun. out of a heavier gun, it shouldn't be a problem [or at least i don't find it to be]. out of a snubby, it's pretty uncomfortable.

another thing i learned fairly recently myself...
if you're shooting both .38 and .357 out of the same gun in one range session, it is advisable to start with the .357 rather than the .38 or to clean the cylinder chambers between the two types of ammo.

the .38 will leave lead fouling at a point that will touch the cases of the .357 magnum. this can cause difficulty ejecting cases or other problems. by starting with the .357s, you leave the lead fouling at a point farther out than the .38s will reach.

personally, i prefer starting with .38 rather than .357 when firing both in one reange session, but you ought to do at least a basic scrub of the chambers if you want to do it in that order.


as to the original question...i find that i go through 100 rounds pretty dang quick at the range. i'd bring more. you can always take it back home for next time if you don't go through it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I can shoot 300 rounds of .38 and .357 Mag at a range trip. If you are a new shooter you will probably want to shoot more than 100 rounds especially since the range is not near home. 100 rounds will go fast so I would suggest you buy a box of .357 Magnum and a "bulk pack" of Remington UMC .38 Special ammo. There are 250 rounds in that box and even though you probably won't shoot them all the price is better when you buy bulk packs.

As for targets, don't waste your money on expensive targets when you first start out shooting. Buy a 100 pack of 12" paper plates. If you can keep your rounds in the circle of the plate you are doing very well for a new shooter. You will save a lot of money that way.

Good luck, be safe and remember the 4 rules.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Take as much as you want to shoot, of course.

And don't worry about taking too much -- if you get tired of shooting, you can always save it for next time.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Take as much as you want to shoot, of course.

And don't worry about taking too much -- if you get tired of shooting, you can always save it for next time.

 

[miko]

I only have one gun, I was thinking a box of .38 and a box of .357 will work is that enough?

I would put all my ammo - .38, .357, even .22 into one "box" - a 30-cal. can works the best. A 50-cal. can is probably too much.

miko

 

[kellyj00]

you shoot a few 38 spcls through your .357 and you'll have a harder time extracting the .357 cases....shoot LOTS of 38 and you'll need a hammer to pull those puppies out.

my experience, your mileage will vary.

 

[COK]

What others have said - I usually take 250-350 rds , I find a 100 goes pretty fast and if you want you can always take it back home if you have not used it . I shoot some 38 , then 357 (50rds ) then back to 38 and have not had a problem with lead fouling with those numbers as long as the gun is clean to start with. Have fun , I was at the range today and used 300 rds and I thought that went to fast.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Take two or three times the amount of ammo that you think you will shoot.
You can always bring it back home.

I don't ever recall regretting having too much ammo but I've regretted not bringing enough.

Save your empty brass. One day you might get into reloading or you can sell it to re-loaders and lower your shooting cost.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

As Jeff Cooper said, "There is 'enough ammo.' And there is 'not enough ammo.' But there is no such thing as 'too much ammo.'"

 

[samtechlan]

Usually take about 100 rds of 9mm and 38 special.

 

[jeff-10]

I usually take 100-150 per handgun. 50 for the 44 Mag as 100 can leave you sore.

 

[22-rimfire]

If that is all you're going to shoot, I'd take a bit more 38spl ammo. Your 100 rounds is about my typical trip, but I usually take along another gun or two just in case I want to shoot more. In particular, I take a 22 rifle if it is an outdoor range or handgun if it is indoor (or both).

 

[JP from Phoenix]

I went and bought 100 rds of winchester .38 ammo and 50 rounds of .357 also winchester. One question though I got it home and realized the .357 ammo are hollow points, now bear with me I don't know alot about this stuff yet but is the hollow point stuff OK to take to the range or should i take it back?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The HP rounds are fine to take to the range but they cost more than FMJ ammo, that's why most people don't use them for practice. Also, most, if not all Retailers will NOT take back ammo once you leave the store.

I went to the range today and this is what I fired:

250 rounds of .22 LR (or more, not totally sure)
200 rounds of .38 Special
100 rounds of .38 Special +P
80 rounds of .357 Magnum
75 rounds of .32 Auto

That was only the handguns, I won't get into the long guns...

 

[JP from Phoenix]

Are hollow points alright for the range? I didnt mean to but the .357 ammo I got are HPs. I want to make sure I'm getting the right ammo for the right purpose, cant seem to find any info on it

 

[22-rimfire]

HP ammo is fine. The range will never know the difference, nor will they care. Generally the only ammo that is not permissible at ranges is "tracer rounds" and armour piercing rounds.

Indoor ranges have more rules as far as caliber. For example, most indoor ranges will not want you shooting a 30-06 or 300 H&H magnum in a rifle there, but they are fine at most outdoor ranges. 22's (rifle or handgun) are frequently okay at indoor ranges.

Just go, you will be fine. Be sure to be safe and wear ear protection and hopefully eye protection. Man, you need to break the ice and just do it. Nobody will even know you're an inexperienced shooter. You may meet some folks there that will help you too. Have fun.