Ammo questions

[twenty711]

Hello all.

I just purchased a S&W model 60, and just took it to the range and I love it! I bought a box of re manufactured 38 special, and it got eaten up quickly and I had a blast. I also fired off a few rounds of .357 magnum hollow points from federal. As this is much more expensive ammo I just fired a couple to see what it was going to feel like. Much more powerful! Still never felt out of control in my stainless steal snubbie. I'm loving this little gun!

Ok so to my question, I"m new at this and want to know what kind of ammo is generally used for what in the .38 and .357 varieties? What is a wadcutter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Wadcutter - See Wikipedia Article Here

 

[christcorp]

You will get a lot of opinions on this. There's basically 3 reasons to shoot a handgun, not counting hunting.

1: To plink and punch holes. Total purpose? To have fun.
2: To practice with the gun. To become proficient with it. So you become accustomed to how it feels when shooting different bullets. Total purpose? To be able to use it against and intruder or other form of self defense. When shooting a bad guy, you don't get to aim the gun like you did on the range. If you spend 5-10 seconds looking through the sites at the bad guy, you will die.
3: To shoot a bad guy. Basically you don't want to be here, but if you are, this is what #2 was for. Total Purpose? So you or your family doesn't die.

For #1, most people get the cheapest stuff they can find. Usually it's 158gr lead round nose. It could also be a lead semi-wadcutter or a full wadcutter. (Do a quick google on the wadcutters and it will describe it and pictures). Anyway, I go along with shooting the cheapest crap you can find for punching holes. However, I always recommend shooting at least 1 cylinder full at the very end, of whatever round you are going to shoot. I.e. If you are going to shoot 125-jhp 357 mag Golden Sabers (That's what I carry), then before you leave the range for the day, you should shoot 4 round. (The reason I say 4, is because it gives you the feel, then every 5th time you go to the range, it will be time to buy another box of the good stuff because 20 in a box will get you 5 times of practice with it. All other times, shoot the cheap stuff. That includes the cheapest 38 special you an find. Some people claim that you shouldn't use the cheap stuff. Personally, as long as you keep the gun clean and in good shape, you can shoot all the cheap crap you want.

Another suggestion I have. You have to realize that GOD FORBID, you ever have to really use this gun in self defense or in the home against an intruder, there is very little time for aiming. Plus, you pulse is going to be racing and you will barely even be able to breath. Throw all ego out the window, and realize that you are going to be scared SH*TLESS. That is a fact. I recommend that when you are about done for the day plinking, that for the last cylinder full of plinking ammo, you set up a fresh target. Get a red marker and make a circle about the size of a soccer ball or basket ball. Stand about 20-30 feet away from the target. Looking straight at the target and the gum in your hand at your side, bring the gun up as quickly as you "SAFELY" can, and without concentrating on "AIMING", point the gun at the red basketball circle and shoot. Put the gun back to your side. Take a deep breath and do it again. You don't have time to be looking down sites most of the time. If you know the bad guy is downstairs and you are waiting for him, that is different. But, that isn't normal. Anyway, Shoot that cylinder full and see if you hit the basketball. If you did, then you will probably hit the bad guy. If you didn't, or only a couple, then relax and try again next time.

That;s a main reason that ALL my self defense/home defense guns DON'T have adjustable sites on them. I'm not hunting with the pistol. Just like a computer; "POINT AND CLICK". DON'T THINK ABOUT AIMING. Know your target of course, but just "Point and Click". If you stop thinking about aiming, you will be quite surprised at how good you can shoot. Of course hunting and target matches is a different story.

So, cheapest bullet you can get Online, I can find 38 special in a case of 500 for between $70-$90. After shipping, it's still about $85-$100. That's $8.50-$10.00 a box including shipping. For home defense or self defense, I use 125g-JHP Golden Sabers or Hydrashocks. If the 357 mag is too much for you, you can get the same exact bullets and weight in 38 Special +P. Same everything except a little slower and a little less energy. Still very effective. For in home use, if you have apartments or duplexes, the 38 special +P is definitely better than the 357 mag. Later... Mike....

 

[Black Adder LXX]

I ususally shoot UMC 38 JSP for target practice. Relatively inexpensive ammo. I try to shoot 357 each time as well.

 

[earplug]

Train as you fight

I read the previous post and have to disagree.
If you practice with your firearm using the sights, you will become more proficient with the firearm.
Practice drawing and firing from what ever holster you use. Or practice picking it up and shooting it.
Do lots of one or two round drills from the holster or bench.
Always use the sights.
Your muscle memory will lead you towards your goal if you ever need to use your firearm for self defence.
Point shooting does not have A plan B if it fails.

 

[christcorp]

Earplug; I never said to not use sights when practicing. I also never said that my gun didn't have sights. I said not adjustable. As you mentioned about "Muscle Memory"; with enough practice a person should be able to "Point and Click"; nothing special. My emphasis is that a person doesn't have the same amount of time to aim during a real world scenario that they didn't practicing at the range.

Unfortunately, too many people have no idea what they will really do when the time comes to have to use a gun on another person. The ego, especially in faceless forums, mentions how they will "Kill that S.O.B. and fill him full of lead". Unfortunately, these same egos don't want to mention that chances are they are probably going to pee themselves. Also, the only scenario involving a holster would probably be a concealed weapon. If you grab the gun at home because you think you heard someone break in, you don't need a holster. If it is concealed on the streets or whatever, if you are going to brandish a weapon, you better be getting ready to use it. There's no such thing as "Scaring" the bad guy away. I bring this up too because unfortunately, there are quite a number of people who carry a concealed weapon because it gives them a "Woody". Many times these people who carry don't even have a license or permit to do so. So, they don't even know the laws concerning carrying a concealed firearm. But this doesn't mean that the weapon can't save their lives.

By all means, practice shooting targets using the sights on your pistol. That's what they are there for. However, at 20 feet, you should easily be able to hit a basketball size object without having to spend even 1 second lining up the front site to the back sight. Just use the front of the barrel. Anyone who's ever used a shotgun for birds, trap, or skeet knows. Minus the part about "Leading". That isn't quite necessary. Anyway, the more practice some gets, the more comfortable they will be. Then, you can spend the extra time needed during a situation to make sure that the person you are about to shoot, truly intends to do you harm and an accident isn't going to incur. Later... Mike....

 

[B.D. Turner]

I shoot everything cheap in my .38 from wadcutters to RNL.
I was shooting today using some Winchester WinClean 125gr JSP ammo. The ammo was about three years old but kept in the house nice and dry. Out of 25 rounds I had three FTF's the most I have ever had with factory ammo. I shot up a bunch of 158gr wadcutters and 158gr RNL that were much older than the winchester and stored the exact same way. Im glad I didn't pack the winchester ammo for SD.