TargetTalk

I know this has been asked, but just to clarify, can we use jacketed bullets as long as they are 158 gr. ?

Dr.

See Rule 3.1.4(e)-Ammunition - Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the
158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet only.

Magtech makes 158 gr. FMJ flat point. Do you think that qualifies ?

Dr.

Dr.Lee wrote:Magtech makes 158 gr. FMJ flat point. Do you think that qualifies ?

Dr.

I would say that a flat point is a specific type of semi wad cutter.

Ordinarily, I would advise you to check with the NRA but the competitions department has become so dysfunctional. I doubt if you would get a timely asnwer.

I have sent an email to a the NRA about this ammo.
I will keep you posted.

Dr.

You could also say it is a kind of round nose but with a flat point.

It's the same, only different !

Dr.

A warning on flat point bullets for DR.

I have over 2000 great shooting 158gr round nose flat point "cowboy style" 38's loaded. I have asked several different match directors their opinion and they all said they would not allow that bullet because it is not specifically a round nose or a semi wad cutter.

Hope that helps.

Yeah, I kind of expected that.
thanks.

Dr.

Dr.Lee wrote:Yeah, I kind of expected that.
thanks.

Dr.

Don't take this as the final authority. A plain reading of the rules on other issues, has not been the way the NRA or the CMP necessarily interprets it.

It could be that the NRA will determine that the only 158g ammo this is not legal is full wadcutter.

I found Fiocchi 158 gr. FMJ with a true round nose, not flat tip. Of course it is not in stock anywhere.

Dr.

Dr.Lee wrote:I found Fiocchi 158 gr. FMJ with a true round nose, not flat tip. Of course it is not in stock anywhere.

Dr.

http://nsksales.com/


Neil makes pretty good DR ammo. Try here.

Dr.Lee;

It looks like you are dead set on using FMJ bullets, your option.
My recommendation from the earlier thread, the American Eagle 158gr LRN doing a quick search can be found almost every where, well almost every where :)
But very much available.

Good luck.
Clarence

Yes Clarence, I must have jacketed bullets !
I am trying to use them if I can find any, but really I am not opposed to lead if that's what I can get.

Still Gonna Try,
Dr.

Dr.Lee;

Using my Googlefoo, came up with Armscor 158gr FMJ #AR50061 in stock at Graf & Sons.
I believe they are round nosed and not flat point.
May want to give them a call to make sure.
Hope this helps.

Clarence

Yes, I saw this load. Velocity was listed at somewhere around 900 fps. If that's correct, it's a little high for me.
I'll check again though.

Thanks,
Lee

Dr.Lee wrote:Yes, I saw this load. Velocity was listed at somewhere around 900 fps. If that's correct, it's a little high for me.
I'll check again though.

Thanks,
Lee

Lead rounds will generally shoot accurately at lower velocities. From my limited experience, and what the re loaders tell me, you may lose a lot of accuracy if you try to get those jacketed rounds much slower.

I experimented with just about every lead SMC and round nose that was available about 10 years ago. Not a single cast commercial bullet proved to be even a little bit accurate. I shot them in a 14-2 Smith, 27 Smith, 28 Smith and a Python. I then cast my own and tried Lyman 358477, RCBS round nose, and RCBS 150. The round nose was a bit heavy at 171 grains and it only shot decent at fairly fast velocities (around 820) and I didn't want to have to shoot that fast.

The Lyman bullet was around 158 and it shot fairly well but the mold leaves something to be desired and it was hard to consistently get good bullets. The 150 RCBS was around 155 and it definitely shot the best of all that I tried. My best load was 3.5 of 231 and the velocity is reasonable.

Only the 14-2 and the Python did well with the 27 or 28 never proving to be as accurate as the other two which was disappointing because they fit my hand better. While the Python shoots well, I cannot cock it correctly with one hand because it seems that the hammer is in the wrong place. Others feel the opposite so check for yourself. I wanted to use the stock target grips but couldn't because my middle finger winds up right behind the trigger guard and hurts when continually shot so I went to a Pachmeyer grip and it was OK.

If you are stuck and can't or won't cast your own bullets, use either a Zero or Magnus 158 swaged because they are the next best and at least far superior to any commercial cast.