38sp ammo

[Marshal Cahill]

howdy just got my revolver from ruger in 38sp now what kind of ammo is the best to use any info would help and anything on reloading for someone with little money thanks

[T.J. McSuds]

There is one load I use for 38. It is a little more stout then some use for CAS but it has proven very accurate in any gun.
 3.8grs of Bullseye and a 158gr lead bullet. This load will give you power enough to knock down plates and will yield over 1800 loads per pound of powder.

[Marshal Cahill]

thanks friend were do you find the stuff for it i have never reloaded in my life and need the info thanks

[leverfan]

thanks friend were do you find the stuff for it i have never reloaded in my life and need the info thanks

Start by heading to the library and checking out a copy of The ABC's of Reloading.  My favorite is the 5th edition, the last one put together by the late Dean Grennel.  Read it through, and if you're still interested in reloading, pick up one or two good manuals, like the Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook or Sierra's Reloading Manual 5th Edition.  When you're done reading the how-to sections in these, you'll know what you really need to buy for the volume of reloading you want to do, and the type of ammo you want to make.  If there is a local gunshop that offers classes in reloading, or if you have a friend that is an experienced and safe reloader, that could be a big help, too.

There is no way that you can learn everything that you need to know about reloading from an internet forum.  It takes one or more complete books, and the information you get from those books will tend to be safer.  Many powder manufacturers are also happy to send you free data for reloading, all you have to do is look up their sites on the web, call them, write them, or see if your local gun shop has piles of free data manuals on the counters.

[Singing Bear]

Most gun shops sell inexpensive reloads, usually in a plastic bag or generic boxes.  If just for the pistol, these should be fine especially since they'll more than likely be loaded with semi wad cutter bullets.  Not good for smooth functioning through some lever action rifles.  For dual purpose, stick to specific cowboy ammo.  They'll be loaded with round nose flat point bullets.

Neither the wrong way, nor the right, but here's how I started into reloading 20 years ago.

I bought 2 reloading manuals.  If I had known about Lyman's manual, it would have been one of them.  Instead, I bought a Speer and a Hornady, both of which have worked out fine for me.   Leverfan has some good suggestions on manuals.

Against a friend's objections, I bought a Lee Turret with auto indexing in 38 spec. and a Lee powder drop.  He wanted me to buy a RCBS Rockchucker.  A good single stage press, but on the pricey side at the time.   I soon got into IPSC and Bullseye and now wish Dillon was around then.   But I had the time and had no problems loading up a couple of hundred rounds per week.  Not a whole bunch by any means, but way more than we use for CAS matches.   I still use the same press now, but only shoot CAS.

So, you gotta decide just what you're going to be doing.  If you think you'll be getting into some of the other disciplines or doing a lot of practice between CAS matches,  you'd probably want to save up for a progressive press.  The more shooting and reloading you do, the quicker you make up for the start up cost.  

If CAS is all you're interested in and your budget only allows for one match per month with moderate practice in between, the Lee would probably work just fine for you and you'd still make up the start up cost fairly quickly, considering how much cowboy ammo costs compared to your own reloads.   I used to buy generic reloads for $8 per 50 rounds.  I reloaded the same for less than $4.

Btw, TJ has it right.  I actually got more from Bullseye since I was loading 2.9 grs. under a 158gr. bullet.

[Cheyenne Ranger]

I went whole-hog and got a Dillon Sq Deal when they came out.  Was all of $125--now more than double of that.  I like the SDB (now they are Sq Deal B's) and am glad I went with it from the start.  There are other cheaper ways to go but I enjoy the reloading part of this hobby/sport and Dillon equipment keeps me happy.

Ask around at your club and see what the others are using.  I am loading for 3 cowboy shooters and casting for 6 total so I like the fact that Dillon spits them out in short order.  

Check out auctionarms.com  gunbroker.com and even ebay for reloading presses.  You can get them pretty cheap if you are willing to wait a bit.  

I figure that, with casting my own bullets, it is costing me 3 cents per round--that's $3 per 100; not too bad for a bit of my time--have more of that than money :grin:

ÇR

[Vancouver Kid]

With the cost of .38's these days, it's hardly worth it to reload especially if you save up that brass IMHO!  I'm new to the fire myself, tried PMC and a few others in my short time on the line.....like the service & product of National bullet. Hard to beat if you ask me!  Hope that helps and good luck!

[leverfan]

With the cost of .38's these days, it's hardly worth it to reload especially if you save up that brass IMHO!

You can load ammo that the major companies don't, that's one good reason to reload.  I'm reloading black powder and pyrodex in cartridges, and that's hard to find for a decent price in factory offerings.  Also, you can tune your load to your gun.  With a fixed sight revolver, tuning a load so that point of aim and point of impact are in the same place saves time and money at the gunsmith's.  I cast a lot of my own bullets, too, and that makes a difference.  Besides, it's fun to reload.

If you find a $5 per box factory load that hits point of aim from your gun, and it has the bullet and ballistics you want, then reloading might be a waste of time.  I haven't found that ammo for any of my revolvers, but I did give up reloading for the 9mm Luger.