.38 spl favorite bullet recommendations

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straightShot

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I've finally added .38 spl to the calibers that I reload. Recently, I reloaded and used up all of the SJHP bullets that I purchased 20+ years years ago. (Yep, quite a time span from purchasing to reloading and also moving a couple of times...) Now, since I'm finally reloading this caliber, I'd like to find out what the best bang for the buck is in .38 spl bullets for target practice.

Question:
What is a great bullet in this caliber for handgun target loads? (I do not wish to make my own.) I'd like to find a supplier who provides a good product at a decent price without excessive shipping charges.

Any suggestions?
 
38 spcl..best bang for the buck.

I dunno whats 'best' but years ago the Speer 148 Hollow Base wadcutter was pretty much considered a benchmark standard for factory swaged bullets.

The Speer was seated flush with the case mouth for the S&W Model 52 Target 38 and a little further out for use in modified 38 Supers converted to 38 Special.

I guess the theory was that the hollow base would expand slightly at the relatively low velocities favored for Outdoor Pistol Matches and thus provide for a little bit better accuracy under match conditions.


A few enterprising souls would load the Speer Hollow Base wadcutters backward for defensive loads in 38 spcl 'belly guns'. These would 'keyhole' at 25 yards but presented a large 'cup point' at typical snub gun uncounters. I dunno if they worked well or not. Back then jell-o was used to eat rather than test bullet expansion and penetration. It looked impressive anyway.

I haven't loaded for target 38s in lots of years but if I were to start again, I would give some consideration to the Speer Hollow Base Wadcutter. That is, assuming that they are still available.

salty.
 
158 gr. lead in whatever shape you perfer from laser cast...

i load mine to +p level and shoot them in .357's, just enough push to let you know something fun is going on, not so much that you can't shoot it all day long...
 
Yes, for target shooting with a .38spl the Speer HBWC are the best. I have tried the Hornady ones and they use a messy wax that clogs up my dies. The Speer use some type of "dry" lubricant which makes for a bery good loading experience. Of course they are very accurate. I use Winchester W231 powder.

Link here to a good dealer for these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/599723

Big ooops . . . I just now saw that you don't want to load your own. Sorry. Forget my link. You will find that inexpensive and store-bought target ammo are two things you cannot have in the same box. Loading your own is a wonderful passtime for a revolver shooter. It is not at all expensive to get started, and saves money the more you do it. It is certainlt nothing to be afraid of either.

.
 
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158 grain Round Nose/Flat Point lead from Meister Bullet. I got mine through Cabel's and Dillion. I don't think Cabel's carries them anymore.
 
Any good quality swaged 148 grain HBWC such as Speer or Remington over 2.8 grains of Bullseye or 3.1 grains of 231 works well for me. Such loads were/are the standard for bullseye shooting with a 38.

I also like to shoot commercially cast 158 grain SWC bullets over 4.4 grains of 231 for a factory equiv. load. This power charge under a Speer swaged 148 BB wadcutter is great for plinking, small game and self-defense in non +P rated snubbies. Probably as accurate as the HBWC, but with more noise and recoil.
 
148 grain wadcutters for light target loads. I have shot a boatload of the Speer HBWC with good accuracy.

158 grain cast roundnose at maximum standard pressure load for Minor power factor and fast reloading at IDPA, preferably molycoated to reduce smoke for fast shooting. Maybe Precision will be back, I'll likely try Bear Creek next order.

Jacketed bullets will give substantially less velocity at .38 Special pressures.

I have not seen good accuracy out of plated bullets in a revolver.
 
158gr Round Nose Flat Point's shoot great in my GP100 and in the wife's Taurus snubbie. That's at .38+P load levels. Hollow base wadcutters also do well in my guns.
I think that keeping the ogive as far forward as possible, and having a bullet diameter that is consistent and matches your chamber and throat well is key with cast bullets,and probably doesn't hurt with jacketed either.
I'd seriously consider measuring your chamber/throat diameters as well as the diameter of the bullets you wish to buy.
 
Dunno what qualifies for "good accuracy", but my GP100 prefers plated or jacketed bullets over cast.

Ranier plated wadcutters would not hold the 3 foot target backer at 50 yards from a Ransom Rest in a gun that shot under 2" with cheap JHPs and 3" with swaged wadcutters.

Maybe plated RN would do better, but I have not had good luck with them in autos, either, so I won't fool with them any more.

I think you earthlings say YMMV, but I'm done with them.
 
The closest I've come to plated bullets for accuracy at 50yds was bowling pins, cans, etc. I have no problems with targets of that size at that distance. Even if I miss, I'm within a couple inches of my "target". I'd find another bullet too if my combo wouldn't hold 3' at 50yds.

Chris
 
If you decide to try plated, West Coast Bullets' twice struck plated 158 gr RN with crimp canalure go for about $56 per 1000 with shipping included. I have never done a check, but other members here and elsewhere claim WCB have the thickest plating of the big three; WCB, Rainier and Berry.

You can also go for bulk shipping of 10,000 bullets which brought the price down around $40 per 1000 including shipping when I last made a bulk purchase. I believe that 20,000 bullets are still within the same UPS weight range so the shipping is the same as 10,000.

You should have seen the UPS guy's face when he lugged up all those 1000 bullet cases with the West Coast Bullet marking on the box. This IS the SF Bay area, after all.

WCB is just over the Nevada border so I can usually order one day in the A.M. and have UPS knocking on my door the next day P.M. Just like clockwork.
 
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I have used 158 gr lead SWC.

Also use Rainier 125 gr FP and HP plated bullets for my .38 and .357.
I use Rainier in .40 and .45 as well. I've had good results with all of them. However they are designed for taper crimp only, even in your wheelgun.

Plated bullets cost a little more, but there is no lead contact and cleanup is easier after a trip to the range.
 
True HBWC is claimed to be the most accurate with light loads though some cast their own & so 148gr WC is next in line for accuracy.

Use to do a lot of PPC so want to get the speed-loaders in fast & that is where SWC come in as third. Most have them around 150 to 158 though I took a lking to 162gr & have had good results out of 140gr SWC.

Fortunatly the 38Spl like the 45ACP & 30-06 being Military loads have been worked out to perfection in reloads.
 
158 grn lasercast SWC. I buy them by the thousands. I get them from Cabelas because when you add in shipping costs, the cost per bullet is less then Midway or other suppliers.
 
The Remington 148 grain HBWC, a factory item in their loaded ammo line, is a stellar performer. It has been regarded so since the lat 1950s. Some people do not like it because of the black lube, but it seems to work very well. This bullet, on top of some PB or Bullseye, can produce exceptional loads. They are available in 100s or boxes of 2000. Reasonably priced, too. Load them flush with the mouth of the case and use a good roll crimp.
 
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