Best Match 38 Wadcutter

S

Saxtonram

Inactive
Hello forum

I have a 1937 Colt Officers Target 38 I will be using for target competition and would like advice on an accurate and good quality commercially available 38 Wadcutter ammo (not +P). No need for personal defense rounds. Just target shooting.

Despite the recent scarcity of ammo, I am hoping to find some good stuff online. Online store links welcomed.

Thanks
 
Suggest going to regular gunshop...

and seeing what on the shelf, the local Cabelas here in SE MI does carry SOME wadcutter ammo, but I'm still working off ld stock consisting of WInchester .38 SPpl wadcutters.

Seems like Fiocchi might be an acceptable alternative.

Do you reload,normal target loads are the 148gr WC or 158gr SWC over Unigue or Bulleye powder, can't recall a specific load, so best to go to Hodgeson or Alliant's website and get a current load.

Good Luck and enjoy!
 
Tf you reload, there is the Speer 148 gr wadcutter, These are a swaged lead bullet and are quite soft. They can be pushed to 700-750 fps without problems with leading. I believe that Hornady also has a swaged wadcutter. I load then in 38 Special cases using WW 231 powder. If you cast your own, Lee has a 148 gr tumble-lube bullet that works well also. I cast mine from wheel weights, and they are not as soft as the Speer swaged bullet. These can be loaded a bit more faster if desired, up to around 800 fps. Thing is, lightly loaded, the 148 gr wadcutter is accurate, easy to load, doesn't burn much powder and cases last forever,
 
Is there a big difference in accuracy between a 148 gr lwc and a 158 gr lwc ?
What is the advantage of 148 over 158 gr lwc ?
 
Online ammo

I took the advice of Water-Man and looked for Federal Premium Gold Medal 148gr. LWC Match, but of course it appears to be out of stock ever where. Any suggestions for places to look?
 
Since you do not reload I would suggest looking at a gun store. Not the sporting goods places, a gun store. Be ready to pay a premium for them as well.


I suggest looking into reloading, and casting your own.


For a back up if you can not find wad cutters. Look into a standard pressure 38 spcl 158 grain LSWC. They work quite well.
 
Is there a big difference in accuracy between a 148 gr lwc and a 158 gr lwc ?
What is the advantage of 148 over 158 gr lwc ?
Click to expand...

The 158's are usually SWC's. The full wadcutters cut cleaner and bigger holes in the paper even at low velocities. Lower velocities means less recoil.
 
Not all match ammo is all that good and when you find a batch that shoots you buy quantities by the batch number. For many years the standard 38 match target ammo was Remington R38S3 this stuff was so accurate and reliable that most of the military teams relied on it as did other competitors who still shot the 38. I am sure that Federal has a similar match ammo but I don't have much experience with it. When I shot a lot a 38 bullseye I would test off my Ransom rest and buy accordingly.

That Officers Model will respond well to good ammo. I shot a Pre-War Officers Model Heavy barrel with Roper target grips for several years and had a lot of fun.

Good luck
 

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The old standby powder for reloaders is Bullseye, but Red Dot is more economical since it is a shotgun powder and can be bought in bulk where the laws allow. But for anyone considering any reloading, I strongly recommend buying a manual and not depending on any web site information. Some of the loads I have seen on a few sites scared the heck out of me.

Jim
 
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