.38 Special Ammo

[JV_]

I need a few boxes of .38 Special ammo for a J-frame, more specifically - FMJ and not HP/SD ammo.

I need it to have a minimum PF of 125 and a at least 300ft./lbs of energy.

My current 158g S&B ammo meets the PF but not the energy requirements.

Any suggestions?

[BN]

I looked at .38 special factory ammo specs when the discussions for Todd's matches were going on. I couldn't find any factory offerings that made the energy levels. I don't know if the rules were going to be changed to reflect that or not.

[TGS]

Not sure how PF is calculated, but this meets your energy requirement from a J-Frame:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=291

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108

Quite expensive though, and not FMJ. 38 Special +p hitting 300ft/lbs out of a 1-7/8th" barrel is certainly a tough bill.

ETA: This, while not FMJ, is still cheaper than the BB: http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_57&products_id=215

[joshs]

I need a few boxes of .38 Special ammo for a J-frame, more specifically - FMJ and not HP/SD ammo.

I need it to have a minimum PF of 125 and a at least 300ft./lbs of energy.

My current 158g S&B ammo meets the PF but not the energy requirements.

Any suggestions?

I'm planning on shooting without score next month rather than attempt to make the power factor and energy requirements.

[JV_]

this meets your energy requirement from a J-Frame:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=291

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108

Quite expensive though, and not FMJ. 38 Special +p hitting 300ft/lbs out of a 1-7/8th" barrel is certainly a tough bill.Yea, that's a bit more than I'd like to pay. I was hoping my only options weren't +P.


I'm planning on shooting without score next month rather than attempt to make the power factor and energy requirements.That's my backup option, with reloads. I don't have the dies, but I can order a set.


Now .... I have to fix my other problem - no LG405s.

[jetfire]

S&B is about the hottest loaded .38 Special on the market right now that isn't listed as +P, and it is actually closer to a +P load than not. My "go to" .38 ammo of choice when I've needed to make a 125 power factor has always been CCI Blazer 158 grain FMJ +P; it's a 130ish powerfactor and 230ish ft/lb.

I don't know if you're going to be able to find a factory loaded non JHP that meets the 300 ft/lbs requirement; most .38 Special ammo is pretty considerably downloaded. Because I shoot a lot of .38 in competition, I actually put together a list of all the commercial loads I could find whose specs said they'd beat a 125 or better PF. Hope it helps.

.38 Special for minor PF (http://gunnuts.net/2010/05/12/factory-38-special-for-competition/)