Cheapest .38 special ammo.

[Jim NE]

Georgia arms has the least expensive .38 special ammo I've found so far. It's reloaded, in a variety of bullet shapes. This is the one I'm interested in, but it's "plated" semi wadcutters. What does plated mean? Just a real thin jacketing? I'd prefer something other than plain old lead bullets so that I can avoid fouling in the barrel. But I DON'T want something that might add a bit more wear to the barrel over time. Is this plated ammo what I want?

It's $240 per 1000 rounds $125 per 500, I believe, which is not much more than My really low price 9MM ammo which is $200 per 1000 ($10 per box.)

http://georgia-arms.com/cannedheat38special158grplatedsemi-wadcutter500pk.aspx

What do you think? Is there a cheaper place to get .38 Sp. ?

 

[Gato Montés]

I think you're right on the plating; thin coating to keep the lead residue down. It's not a full blown jacketing that's for sure.

The only thing cheaper that I've found was Blazer ammo, which is aluminum cased (non re-loadable) and DIRTY. That was ten bucks for a box of fifty.

Edit, nevermind

 

[rhoggman]

The cheapest place to get .38 SPC is to make it yourself. If you can reload and cast your own bullets you make 1000 rounds for about $50-$60. I prefer a Keith style bullet.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Ive reloaded a few of those plated SWC's. They did alright, I center punched an empty 12-pack box with one from 75 yards

Speaking of reloading, you should look into it. You can easily reload .38 special for less than $7 per 50 rounds.

 

[sixgunner455]

+1 on reloading. I just added it up, and, using primers that were way too expensive, and just estimating the powder costs on the high side, I'm spending 5.85/50 reloading my own .38 Specials. That's vs. 18.00+ for factory new loads in my area.

I think it's worth my time, especially when you extrapolate that out to the 1k round costs. My reloads cost me 117.00/1k. Factory new = 360.00/1k, and commercial reloads, as quoted by OP, are 240.00/1k. I'm shooting loads 1/3 the cost of factory, and 1/2 the cost of commercial reloads. If I were casting my own bullets, I'd be spending even less. Yeah, that's loading commercial cast/swaged lead bullets.

I guess it depends on how much your time is worth to you, but I can afford to shoot a lot more this way.

 

[Dudemeister]

Cheapest .38spl I got were at a gun show about 6 months ago.

158gr. SWC reloads for $89/500. I bought 3 cases, and this is pretty good stuff. I still have quite a few, but this time, I'm keeping the brass, so when I finish them I'll start reloading the brass.

BTW, the company that sell this stuff is Miwall Corp. They are one of the largest ammo suppliers that seem to specialize in gun shows. The do the WEst/Midwest circuit. Here is a list of the gun shows they'll be attending:

Miwall Tradeshows

 

[mr_goodbomb]

The cheapest place to get .38 SPC is to make it yourself. If you can reload and cast your own bullets you make 1000 rounds for about $50-$60. I prefer a Keith style bullet.

But how much for reloading supplies? I've considered getting into it, but I have always heard startup is expensive.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I load Speer 158g LSWCHP's which I purchase in boxes of 500. I have plenty of 38 Special cases and plenty of primers and powder.

Loading your own ammo is much cheaper and most of what you load will be far better than anything you could buy that is manufactured.

 

[doc.lonestar]

If you are not into reloading - I have been using USAAMMO remanufactured 38sp (and 45acp and 40sw) with good results. Also if you look at ammoman, cabellas, and cheaper than dirt, they have bulk deals (ammoman is free shipping).

 

[Jim NE]

Thanks for the input, and thanks Dudemeister and lonestar for the heads up on those outfits.

I'm not really crazy about getting into reloading because of potential startup costs as per mr. goodbomb. I have to admit, I'm not entirely comfortable keeping cannisters of gunpowder in my house, though I've heard that smokeless powder isn't at all like blackpowder in terms of accidents/hazards.

I'll think about it.

 

[Waywatcher]

.38 Special is probably the easiest cartridge to reload for, period.

I load mine with Missouri Bullets and Trail Boss Powder. (The brass and primer are less important, but I have my preferences.)

My cost per 50 round box is $5.50, which includes all shipping and taxes!

A couple thousand rounds and a reloading set up will "pay-for-itself." Say you save $7.00 per box; even an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit will be paid for in about 2000 rounds.

In addition to cost savings, you get top notch quality ammo specifically made for your gun, made by you.

It's a win-win.

 

[Jim NE]

Went ahead and ordered 300 rd.s from USA ammo. Seemed a bit better deal - cheaper for FMJ rather than the plated - under $11.50 a box, but shipping adds a couple bucks, so shipping is where you get a quantity discount with them. the more you order the better.

 

[Cop Bob]

The Georgia Arms deal does not look like a bad deal at all for someone who does not reload... .25 cents a round for mid-range ammo (750-800 fps) is not bad at all these days... the plated issue is a non-issue for me... looks good... If I was not reloading, I would probably buy.. I know reloaders who grab deals like this from time to time for the brass...

However at today's prices, I'm REALLY Glad I reload... Let's break it down,,,

mid-range match ammo.. 38 spl..

500 rds, bullets... ave cost $38.00 or .08 cents.
primers .03 cents
powder $23 lb.7000 gr. to lb, 2.8 gr. per round, works out to about .01 cents per round..
Brass, about .06-.09 cents a round depending upon where you get em.. can be reused 20-30 times no problem.. or average cost per round... .003 cents per use average.

Total Cost to reload.. about. 12.3 cents around...

Your time... priceless, or heck you would be wasting away in front of the tube anyway..
These guys in Georgia are marking up their product about 100%, but if you can't make a profit, why bother... but it is still cheaper to reload.. Plus it is satisfying to know they are yours...

 

[Jim NE]

I guess I'm on the ammo kick because I've heard from a couple of different sources that ammo prices are going to go up substantially from where they are now (which is rather high.) I suppose it's only a matter of time before I start reloading if this comes to pass.

One of the reloading concerns I guess I have is semi-autos - I've heard that semi-autos are less forgiving than revolvers as far as inconsistencies of quality with a novice reloader - i.e. jam problems. I guess I don't really want reloading to become yet ANOTHER thing I have to become an expert at.

But if the cheapest ammo available starts closing in on half a buck a pop, Oh yeah, I'll reload. Or buy a bunch of cool .22's.

BTW, I was amazed that Walmart had .22 lr for $1.77 for a box of 50 a few weeks ago - not a sale price, not a bulk price - individual box price.

 

[MrBorland]

I'd prefer something other than plain old lead bullets so that I can avoid fouling in the barrel. But I DON'T want something that might add a bit more wear to the barrel over time. Is this plated ammo what I want?

Lead fouling is a result of a mismatch between the load's pressure and hardness of the bullet. "Hardness" of a cast bullet depends on the alloy used, so it's not a given that you'll experience leading if you shoot cast.

Cast bullets also typically run a hair bigger than plated (0.358" vs 0.357"), and, depending on the load and the gun, can be more accurate, as they get a better "bite" on the rifling.

Finally, despite their bigger diameter,cast bullets also encounter less resistance as they travel down the barrel, so they travel a few fps faster, all else being equal.

As you guessed, the plating on a plated bullet is very thin. AFAIK, increased wear on the barrel isn't an issue, especially if you're not a high-volume shooter.

OTOH, plated bullets smoke less, which is a nice feature if the smoke from cast (lead) bullets is an issue. And plated ammo also seems to keep the gun generally cleaner, so clean-up is a bit easier.

What do you think? Is there a cheaper place to get .38 Sp. ?

That's a great price for plated ammo. If you're not ruling out cast, though, check out MasterCast. 158gr LSWC for $9.43/50 with brass exchange. Even if you don't have brass to exchange, you can buy once-fired brass for the initial exchange, and it'd still be a good price. If you buy the brass on-line, MC might agree to accept it directly from the vendor, saving you some shipping.

 

[Dudemeister]

I guess I'm on the ammo kick because I've heard from a couple of different sources that ammo prices are going to go up substantially from where they are now (which is rather high.) I suppose it's only a matter of time before I start reloading if this comes to pass.

One of the reloading concerns I guess I have is semi-autos - I've heard that semi-autos are less forgiving than revolvers as far as inconsistencies of quality with a novice reloader - i.e. jam problems. I guess I don't really want reloading to become yet ANOTHER thing I have to become an expert at.

But if the cheapest ammo available starts closing in on half a buck a pop, Oh yeah, I'll reload. Or buy a bunch of cool .22's.

BTW, I was amazed that Walmart had .22 lr for $1.77 for a box of 50 a few weeks ago - not a sale price, not a bulk price - individual box price.

If you think the price of .38spl is high, you should try something like .45LC. It's that cost that convinced me to start reloading. You simply can't beat that price. I went from an average of $0.75 to $1 per round down to about $0.15 per round. To put it in perspective, every time I went to the range and shot 2 or 3 boxes of ammo, I would basically drop $75-110. Now that I reload, I can shoot the same thing for about $15-20. That, is a BIG difference.

The savings you'll see by reloading a less expensive round like the .38spl, will not be as dramatic as it is with the more expensive stuff, but it will still pay for itself in a few months. You should be able to drop the cost of a round down to about $0.12. Assuming you currently pay about $.20-0.22 per round, your savings will pay for itself in about 2000 reloads. A Lee press & dies setup, can be had for about $125-150. Powder, primer and bullets to load 1000 bullets will set you back another $100-120

Even if you choose to go the purchase route (new or reloads), do yourself a favor and keep all the brass. One day when you're ready, you'll be happy you did.

Also look for the gun shows in your area, and go there to buy your ammo. The usual $10 entry fee will pay for itself in the savings you'll get.

For example:
.22LR CCI Blazer - $12-15 / 500
.38spl reloads - $90-100 / 500
9mm reloads - $70-80 / 500
9mm Tula Ammo (steel case) - $80 / 500

 

[weregunner]

If you can't reload then here's some help.
www.ammoseek.com www.ammoengine.com

These cover a majority of the online ammo places.

 

[1894]

By no means do I want to discourage anyone from, "rolling their own," but one of the reasons I do not is because there's not a range I've found within 30 miles of me that would allow me to shoot reloaded ammo. Something to consider. Just sayin'.

 

[Stainz]

ZERO ammo is an Alabama reload - and of decent quality. A local sporting goods store had 50 rd boxes of 148gr LWC for $9 - you can't make it for that.

I got a deal on some Montana Gold 125gr JHP bullets - ~$125/1k. With 4.2gr Titegroup, it is a very clean .38 Spcl plinker round - 900 fps from a 4" tube (627 or 64). Realistic lead prices are very close - maybe a couple pennies per round cheaper - and dirtier. Reloading is an illness - but it's fun. When you include the cost of equipment, etc, the cost goes up, of course.

Stainz

 

[Stainz]

1894,

I don't know where you are - but how strange. We had a local indoor range or two that required your purchasing their ammo - part of their 'cost'. Note the operative past tense... they failed. The range where I like to shoot - FOP Range in Pleasant Grove - still closed due to tornado damage - has a store - which sell's Dillon presses and reloading supplies, as well as ZERO ammo - reloads! I think their objections, as far as shooting, involves crew-served weapons...

Stainz

 

[heeler]

1894,how would they know it's reloaded ammo??
Thanks for the link weregunner.
That ammoseek is a much better search than the other.
Tagged for future use.

 

[Dudemeister]

By no means do I want to discourage anyone from, "rolling their own," but one of the reasons I do not is because there's not a range I've found within 30 miles of me that would allow me to shoot reloaded ammo. Something to consider. Just sayin'.

Whaaaaat?!?!?

That's just ridiculous. I would never go to a place like that. They used to have something similar in my area, they forced you to buy their ammo and targets, and during that time I used to drive 25 miles across the Bay to a more friendly range, but the other place has since relaxed their rules, and now they only require you to buy their targets, which are relatively reasonable (< $1).

Anyway, if you were to keep the boxes from some factory loads you've already shot, you can always put your reloaded rounds in it, and they'd never know. I doubt that they would open up the boxes and inspect the actual cartridges.

 

[sixgunner455]

Stainz - $9/50 for shooting lead?! No way. I'm doing that for less than $6/50, and that's with me not actually calculating the real powder cost, just a (high) estimate.

Hard cast lead is going for ~$80/1k around here. If you prefer target shooting with JHP, (you said $125/1k) then I guess spending 50% more might be worth it, but it's not to me.

 

[snooperman]

I also reload 38 special for less than $6.50 box..

I use 3.5 gr bullseye and 158gr lead semiwadcutters. The next best place I have found, if you send them your brass is "mastercast in Enon , PA.

 

[oldbear]

Georgia Arms produces very good and affordable range ammo. I've run several thousand rounds of their plated SWC .357 Magnum ammo and never had any problems. In fact I believe that it's cleaner than some of the WWWB ammo I've used.