38 spl. ammo question....

[WT_Foxtrot]

Probably a dumb question. But picked up the first .38 I've had in a while and looking at ammo and seem to see more grain choices that what I remember. I just remember buying 158 gr. before, but now seeing 125, 130, 148 and even 100 gr. in the .38. They were probably all around before, but I just don't remember.

Any thoughts on the preferred grain or differences and/or best for SD or target, etc.? For reference, the gun is Ruger LXRx 1-7/8" .38+p.

Thanks for any input.

 

[dartsinsa]

I use Gold Dot Short Barrel. 38+p 135 grain. a little hard to find sometimes, but heck a few 50 round boxes have lasted years. For range, whatever I can find cheap from a quality company. Usually 125 or 158.
HST now has a 130gr +p for short barrel also.

 

[Moonpie]

You’ll have to experiment with the different weight bullets to see which your revolver shoots the best.

For general range blasting the 130grn FMJ stuff works pretty good. Its loaded kinda mild so it doesn’t beat you or your gun up. I use it a lot.
For serious SD ammo I prefer Speer Gold Dots but any quality brand HP ammo should serve you well.
I have an older S&W Model 36 snubby. It likes the lighter weight bullets. It really liked the old Winchester 110grn silvertips. Sadly those haven’t been available in many years.

 

[oldag]

It really liked the old Winchester 110grn silvertips. Sadly those haven’t been available in many years.

The Winchester Ranger T is an excellent round. As you probably recall, the Talon was the successor to the Silvertip (still have some of those in .45 ACP). After some bad publicity, the Ranger T succeeded the Talon and is supposedly available only for LEO sales. But with some searching, you can find places that will sell it to consumers.

 

[BRD@66]

It was discovered that Black Talons might kill somebody.

 

[Texasgordo]

It was discovered that Black Talons might kill somebody.

???

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[45tex]

Unless the maker stipulates a specific weight bullet. It does not matter you won't feel the difference. Unless you are truly a tactical type. Revolvers do not depend on the combustion to operate. As long as there is enough oomph to get the bullet out and or it does not over pressure the cylinder, you're good. Cheap for the range, expensive for carry.

 

[The.Other.Jared]

Here's what I'm running. Everything I've seen says this actually pushes 1000fps in a snubnose. Its Underwood 158gr. I bought it directly from them. Got 2 boxes of 20 shipped to me for $45 total (their shipping is very reasonable.) The price is right on par with SD ammo I can find at my LGS or Academy. It is stout, but it performs very well.

 

[WT_Foxtrot]

Good input. What about steel vs. aluminum vs. brass and also brands? I'm real particular in my semis and only feed brass factory ammo from reputable brands or those I've had experience with. Probably not as big a deal with the wheel gun, but see mainly Serbian and Russian ammo at the top of the list on Ammoseek.

And really just talking about range ammo for now.

 

[Moonpie]

Brass expands to seal the chamber then slightly contracts after firing.
Steel cased ammo doesn’t.
Powder residue gets blown back along the case back into the gun(and on to you).
This is why the ComBloc ammo shoots so filthy.
Its usable but requires more cleaning.
Steel cased stuff is cheaper than quality made brass. Thats why its on top of the AmmoSeek lists.

FWIW, I don’t use it unless there is nothing else.

 

[gshayd]

filthy commies