Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Does anyone shoot a 38 special?

Where are you guys finding bullets to reload these? I am looking for DEWCs or SWCs.

There is an old lead mine within a few miles of my place. Thinking about checking it out for scraps. Ha!

I found mine on the bottom shelf of my reloading room, too heavy to have any higher.

Have you checked Rimrock and Missouri bullets? I'm assuming a bit of a wait, but don't know. I have used both with good results

The Missouri Bullet Co. 158 gr. SWC coated bullet over a stout dose of Unique is standard carry in my 4" S&W M15 and 3" round butt M64. The 148 gr. Wadcutter with a lesser charge stokes my M642 cylinder.

I just ordered some bullets from Straight Shooters Cast Bullets. Took maybe a week for them to cast them up and send them out. I should get them in the next couple of days. I have some I have gotten from them before, but haven't loaded any up yet (I still need to set up my reloading bench and stuff).

https://sscastbullets.com/

Actually, I just now got them.



The "wide" flat SWC with the cool red coating. The meplat is wider than on the regular SWC.


Matt's Bullets makes an even wider meplat bullet in 157 grains. That would be kickass.

If I can afford a Smith, I’m not gonna buy a Charter, or a Taurus, or maybe even a Ruger. The 66 looks like your best choice, loaded with .38s or .38- level .357s to keep the chambers clean, and just maybe be more accurate. A piece by Brian Pearce years ago suggested that loads in .357 cases were a touch more accurate. Once my pile of .38 brass is exhausted, I won’t buy any more, as both my guns are .357s.

Not for Canadians, but my new 3” M60 Pro is a nearly perfect carry “.38”. Much easier to hit with than a snubbie.

I want to try some of the coated ones, probably Missouri Bullet Co. Seem to be the answer to a couple of issues, and they’re pretty.

You all talked me in to grabbing a model 64 police trade in off of GB last night. Should be a fun little plinker

Thanks for the link, though I'm not sure I'd give recommendations for something I've never used.

Nice to hear something good about it for once

Try Brazos, they show SWC's & WC's in stock:

https://www.brazosprecision.com/38-Special357-Magnum_c_13.html

Yes, the Model 66 is available. Probably because of the cost. I have 400 or 500 357 cases. It is easy to download 357 to 38+P velocities.

I really like my Colt Detective Special, will not get rid of my Ruger LCR, 4" Speed Six, or 4" Service Six. All in 38 special

Geez, I'm glad I got into casting my own .38 bullets two generations ago. Haven't had to shop for .38 bullets or sweat shortages, ever.

I carried a Stainless J frame 649 as an off duty and back up gun for years on patrol. My 649 has been exiled to wife's home defense gun. My newer 642 Airweight snubby gets carried more now if I'm in a .38 frame of mind (which honestly isn't often these days). I purchased my first issued duty weapon from the city when they issued us S&W 4506 autos. It's a Ruger Stainless Police Service Six with a 4" barrel. I'd have no issues using the Ruger for a woods carry gun loaded with 158 grain hard cast SWC bullets at 900-1000fps.

Ron

Can't beat a Diamondback
Don't shoot anything but 38 SP in the Diamondback the +P are a little to much.

I’d buy the S&W 66. The New Charter Arms you asked about are not bad. For a Charter Arms. But it’s no S&W, obviously.

I like 4.0 grs of bullseye pushing the lyman 155gr swc gas-checked. MV is rated at 858fps also according to Lyman. To me it's perfect. Enough power to keep things all business, but still rated as a standard load for controllable fire

I'm glad I have a friend like Gary (Gnoahhh) who showed me and others how to cast this winter. Once this "crisis" is over I'll be acquiring all the stuff to cast on my own. Another fun thing to do when I retire.