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Author Topic: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?  (Read 1812 times)

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Offline tacotime

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Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« on: July 31, 2012, 03:19:04 AM »
Can I get some opinions about the best .38 special bullet for standard pressure loads for target/match use?
 
This will be used in a short barrel revolver, Mod. 36. Preferably Unique or 231 powder.
 
Thanks!
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Offline Mikey

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2012, 12:30:48 PM »
I would opt for the standard, traditional match 148 gn wadcutter over WW231 rather than Unique.  I believe you can purchase bulk target ammo very inexpensively however if you choose to roll your own you should find components widely available.  I would watch the fliers from some of the larger retailers, and also go to our larger distributors on the 'links' page for bargains - you can often find Winchester bulk available. 
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Offline hillbill

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2012, 12:51:38 PM »
yeah back in the day the 148 full wadcutter was always the bullet of choice.yu will have to try your powder and see if it shoots as well as yu want it too.if it dont with several different charges try a diff powder like posters here reccomend.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2012, 01:21:06 PM »
I would use Unique and a full wadcutter.
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Offline vanbuzen9

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2012, 11:01:29 AM »
125 or 140 gr. Hornady XTP works the best in my K38. I use HP-38, which is the same as 231. For some reason, these shoot better than full wadcutters, and only a bit more expensive.
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Offline tc scout

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2012, 04:41:55 PM »
Quote from: Swampman on July 31, 2012, 01:21:06 PM
I would use Unique and a full wadcutter.

Same here.
Barry's 148 gr HBWC with Unique, very accurate and cheap to shoot.
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Offline gr8ful

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2012, 05:03:56 PM »
Quote from: tc scout on August 01, 2012, 04:41:55 PM
Quote from: Swampman on July 31, 2012, 01:21:06 PM
I would use Unique and a full wadcutter.

Same here.
Barry's 148 gr HBWC with Unique, very accurate and cheap to shoot.

+1
 
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Offline Blackhawk44

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2012, 06:23:24 PM »
Precision Delta HBWC and Bullseye or 231 powder.
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Offline HappyHunter

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2012, 03:08:40 AM »
Without a doubt my accurate load in my K frame guns is hollow base 148 gr wad cutter, I use W-231 and federal small primer. 
 
Now a M10 iron sights are regulated for 158 gr bullets.  Makes me think a fixed sight 36 would be also. 
 
Regardless I would stick to lead bullets, try both 148 and 158 bullets.  My choice for powder for each is W-231/HP-38. 
My 2nd choice for the 158 gr pill is AA#5.
 
hth,
 
Fred
 
 
 
 
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Offline tacotime

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2012, 04:06:16 AM »
Good advice - I'll try some 148 WC's now.
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #10 on: August 28, 2012, 12:56:45 PM »
The 158 grain LSWC is just as accurate as the 148 full wadcutter in my Ruger LCR. Both are excellent choices. I've tried Unique, Bullseye, and IMR PB with both bullets. All three work well with the nod going to IMR PB for accuracy but the other two are close behind.
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Offline Goldstar225

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2012, 04:40:45 PM »
The 148 hollow base wadcutter was the gold standard for punching paper for many years.  I prefer a 158 grain SWC .  They cut a good hole in paper for scoring and have a better shape for reloading the cylinder.  Winchester 231 has been my #1 powder for light to full power loads for 35 years with Unique reserved for +P loads.
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Offline Dand

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2012, 09:39:37 PM »
Kind of an old thread but what the heck -  I'm no accuracy guy but I have come to really like the Hornady swaged wad cutters and SWC bullets.  I have had good luck with them in my 4 inch Security 6 for plinking and game shooting.  I mostly use the 148 hollow base wad cutters.  They are cleaner to handle than the swaged Remington and Speer bullets I've tried - don't goop up the seating die  as much and just seem to be a better made bullet.  I've used Green Dot, Red Dot, Bullseye, Uniqe, and Win AA super field (I think).  Mostly use Bullseye and Unique these days as I have a lot of it.  I didn't care much for the 140 gr hornady cowboy bullets - they didn't seem to shoot that well for me which was a disappointment as I like the weight.
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Offline tturner53

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2012, 08:23:35 PM »
If you're a caster try the Lee 358-125 RF mold. I shoot a little bit of competition with a K38, occasionally a Model 19, and a M60 for carry. I've found the little Lee to be just as accurate as any 148WC I've tried, and that's a bunch. But it doesn't make the nice clean holes in paper.
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Offline S.B.

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #14 on: October 17, 2012, 05:12:52 PM »
2.7 grains of Bullseye under the 148 grain full wadcutter bullet or I beleive3.2 of Win 231 will give the same velocity?
Steve
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2012, 08:34:23 AM »
wad cutters can shoot well but that said ive never owned a 38 special that did its absoulte best in accuracy with a wad cutter. Couple bullets ive actually had better luck with are the lee 150 rf and the lee 105swc.
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Offline S.B.

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #16 on: October 18, 2012, 08:54:04 AM »
Lloyd, have you tryed a S&W model 52-2? OPs question was about target/match shooting(I took that to mean Bullseye shooting). That's a game of 25 yards to 50 yards, hence if it will keep all shots in the X ring at these distances. Sorry if I've misunderstood. I'm sure I don't have to tell you anything, your quiet well versed in shooting.
Steve
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Offline Lloyd Smale

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Re: Most accurate .38 bullet for target?
« Reply #17 on: October 19, 2012, 12:11:49 AM »
nope steve to be honest ive never even shot one. I did own a 952 for a bit that i tried to use for ppc shooting but just wasnt impressed. I know the 52s were designed to shoot wad cutters and its probably whats going to do best in them. My 38 shooting has been mostly in 15,10 and 64 smiths and ruger single actions.
Quote from: S.B. on October 18, 2012, 08:54:04 AM
Lloyd, have you tryed a S&W model 52-2? OPs question was about target/match shooting(I took that to mean Bullseye shooting). That's a game of 25 yards to 50 yards, hence if it will keep all shots in the X ring at these distances. Sorry if I've misunderstood. I'm sure I don't have to tell you anything, your quiet well versed in shooting.
Steve
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