Why my Walmart never has .38spl ammo.

E

Elvishead

Moderator
Every time I go to Walmart just down the road to shop, I always check for .38s at the sporting goods.

Ever time, they are out of .38spl., so I asked the clerk, if they ever get .38s in, he said yes, but there is one guy that comes in everyday to check for .38s and buy all he can.

I hate this because I'm getting very low on target ammo, soon I'll have to start shooting my SD (Gold Dot's) ammo at the range which I have plenty of for now.

I'm low on money so I can't order bulk right now, so If I could just get a box or two from Wally's I'd be happy. Maybe I'll find the guy and ask him to sell me a few box's. LOL:D

Last time I went to the range it was mostly shooting my Beretta Bobcat little .22, and I only shot half a box of .38 just to make sure I can still get good groups, at least acceptable.

Oh well, life goes on, just venting.

Buy the way, anybody want to trade for some 9mm ammo? I have that coming out of my ear's!:rolleyes:
 
Unfortunately you are in LV

I am in Alaska, so trading for 9mm is not practical.

How about this? Ask the clerk who told you that there is this guy who buys up all the 38s what day the deliveries come in. Ask you workplace if you can trade a shift or take some time off or however you can manage it for that day and beat him to the punch.

Either that, or invest four boxes worth of 38 money into a minimalist reloading setup. In four trips to the range you will be saving money. (My calculations may only approximate yours, your savings may vary.)

Good luck.

Lost Sheep
 
but there is one guy that comes in everyday to check for .38s and buy all he can.
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Man I had hoped that the hoarding was over.....

Could you gleen any info from the clerk when their ammo usually arrives and try to beat the guy to punch at least once?
 
Elvis -

.38s are extremely easy to reload, and one of the safest (minor error-tolerant) calibers to reload... have you considered that? Have you saved all your brass?

Our Wal-Mart used to have limits on the number of boxes you could buy (6 per day), I used to go there early in the morning when I was still buying. Now I'm just shooting my reloads. :)
 
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I know my local wm hasn't been able to get any .38s at all for a few months. A local gun shop employee blamed it on the big three manufactures filling the gov contract 1st. We got some .38s in last week. 100 ct Win white bx FMJ. This Walmart said they get deliveries every day from the distribution center around 10 am. Any of them could have the .38s. But if it as you were told, I agree, you have to be the early bird!!:D "JJ"
 
.38s are extremely easy to reload, and one of the safest (minor error-tolerant) calibers to reload... have you considered that? Have you saved all your brass?
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Amen this. Just get yourself a "Lee Loader" or some other inexpensive type of reloading kid and save your brass. Back in the day I used a Lee Loader (They cost $19.95 back then) and a few other inexpensive little tools that fit in a shoe box with room left over for the shoes. Add a plastic mallet, some primers, a box of bullets, and a can of bullseye or Unique and I was in business.

I'll bet you can still get all the tools for less than a couple boxes of 38 special ammo. They're not real fast, but you can do a box or so in a couple of hours. To the basic Lee loader, I'd get a case trimmer and lock stud, a chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, and an auto primer. You don't really NEED those extras, at least not at first, but they make it a lot easier.

I did thousands upon thousands of 38's back in the day with a kit just like I described. That's assuming you don't want to spend a lot of money to get started. You can of course spend a lot more.

Buy lead bullets by the 500 or 1,000. A lot cheaper that way, and plenty good enough for 38 practice ammo. The dipper that comes with the Lee Loader is all you need to measure the powder. A pound of powder goes a long way with 38's.
 
What these guys said! Start reloading it, I had the same problem at the WalMarts in my area. They never have any pistol ammunition for any caliber, when I finally asked what the deal was they said several people come in as the trucks are unloaded to see if ammunition is on it and if there is they buy it on the spot before it ever hits the shelves!
 
I had a similar issue before I started reloading. Someone would come in and the ammo wouldnt make it to the shelf before this guy bought it all.

After speaking to the sporting goods guy for a couple of minutes, I simply asked him to hold a couple of boxes for me on the side, and told him I would be in every tuesday afternoon to pick them up.

That worked out pretty good for me, and it didnt take any effort on his part to put a couple aside.

Doesnt hurt to ask!

-George
 
Could someone post some links or make suggestions on a simple 38 spl reloading kit? Are these the ones without the press, or do they have a single stage press? I'd love to see a cost breakdown for the equipment and materials just to load 38 spl for practice!
 
I'f found that for small purchases ( 1-2 boxes ) it's usually more cost effective to buy locally.

For 3+ boxes , online at either cheaperthandirt.com or Ammotogo.com are the best ways to go.


Reason being that Shipping cost minimum is $10 but it doesn't go up drastically with multiple boxes.


Around here .380 is impossible to find , 45's are hard to find .... but lucky for me , .40's are EVERYWHERE !!!


It Saddens me though that most FMJ practice Ammo is more costly locally than Federal HST or Winchester PDX1's are online.


Walmart WWB is the only FMJ I will purchase locally anymore.
 
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I'd love a quick reloading kit list for .38 spl! Do tell.

It is fast becoming the caliber that everyone wants to shoot when they come to the range, I shoot it, the woman, my best buddy. I've been going thru what I saved up like water...

I've found out since I work nights that my Wal-mart works their semis @ midnight - 3ish so thats when the new ammo comes to the floor... or just ask them to put a few boxes on the side. Its not like they are losing a sale.
 
This is what I use

Lee Hand Press - http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...=froogle&cm_pla=1230301&cm_ite=0032406215925a

.38 special dies -http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...cabelas/en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form1

Almost forgot the tumbler - http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...cabelas/en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form1

You'll need some crushed walnut shells to go in the tumbler too.

With these, primers, bullets and powder (and brass of course) you can do it. I've reloaded over 3,500 rounds in the last 6 months - 9mm, .38, .357, .45 ACP and .380 ACP. Total hardware investment less than $250 for everything, and it fits in a desk drawer (tumbler in the garage) when I'm not using it.
 
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Also don't you need to clean your fired brass?
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That's what the tumbler is for.

Lead bullets for .38s are 6-8 cents apiece, powder is about 1 cent per round and primers are 3-4 cents each. I calculated that I recouped my fixed costs in about 1500 rounds (30 boxes).
 
You really don't have to tumble the brass. I just spend about 2 seconds apiece wiping them down with a cloth. Once you start reloading you'll probably never buy a box again
 
Look on your local Craig's List or ebay for used reloading equipment. A press, dies, scale would be the absolute minimum. Tumbler is nice, but a rag will work for the meantime.

Components should be bought in bulk for maximum savings - primers by the 5,000 sleeve, powder by the 8# jug, bullets by the 1,000 or greater.

I've been reloading 38s for about 25 years or so - with 158 lead SWC and a powder charge somewhere in the 4.5 grain range (depending on powder), I can almost shoot 38 for the price of .22 and my cases typically last over 15 loadings.

If you buy over the net, order your primers and powder at the same time to save on the hazmat fee, or go in with someone to max out the amount that can be shipped and split the fee.

Currently, IIRC, 2 8# jugs and 25,000 primers can ship in one box for one fee
 
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