Factory Ammo, 38 Special, for S&W Model 52.

As of now, March 2019, are there any sources of "factory" ammo available for the S&W Model 52, 38 Special?
For testing, I'd like to eliminate any variable I may be introducing in my reloads, and buy a few boxes of "factory" ammo.  
Any recommendations?

In searing, I found this:
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-gold-medal-38-special-ammo-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx
A year ago, in a similar discussion we were discussing "Zero".  
I don't want to buy that many, but I'd like to use something "factory" for testing.

Dave, where does one buy the ones you suggested?

Greetings,

I have used Federal 38 WadCutter.

Averages about 730 FPS.

Just gave a box to a friend to "tune" his new 38 autoloader.

Cheers,

Dave

Oops, the last line in my edited post was in response to Dave's post.
Dave, is there a link for where to order them?  
If you like them, I'm going to stop searching elsewhere.

You might try https://www.midwayusa.com/product/136172/fiocchi-shooting-dynamics-ammunition-38-special-148-grain-lead-wadcutter-box-of-50

Mixed reviews, looks like both the Winchester and Federal are not in stock at Midway.

Midway has gone from being my favorite place to order from, to something to avoid at all costs.
Despite what I will write below, I will probably order two boxes of the 38 Special.



I ordered 5,000 rounds of CCI 22 ammo, which they sent me in the cardboard box from CCI that is intended to be shipped strapped to a wood pallet with many other boxes.  It was heavy, and on the way to me it was dropped.  The end of the box is crunched, and many, many of the bullets were just as crunched, bent over, flattened, etc.  I thought it was only a few boxes at the end, but as I worked my way through them, lots and lots were damaged.  I called, and wanted a replacement.  They give me credit for I think 200 rounds, but many of the remainder are damaged, and won't cycle through my gun.

When I got serious about getting a replacement, they told me since I hadn't returned the shipment so the shipper could examine it, the couldn't offer me a settlement - despite the fact that the reason I couldn't return it is they won't allow me to.   I quit dealing with them, and filed a dispute with my bank, who are holding back the payment, and investigating.  I suggested they talk to the folks at CCI, who clearly told me that CCI cardboard box is NOT suitable for shipping to customers.  I also called UPS, who wouldn't talk to me about it - they already heard from MidwayUSA, and that was the end of it.

I'm not upset that they damaged the box and contents - according to CCI, that was inevitable, from shipping it the way they did.
I am upset that they won't replace it with a box of good ammo.
(All the boxes pf 500 rounds are damaged, and I don't know how may of the 5,000 rounds are still useable, and I have no desire to inspect them one by one......

148 GR WCHB, $ Per 1000, NEW
	[size=undefined]Quantity in Basket: None  Code: R607-C Price: $276.67[/size]

www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RZD&Product_Code=R607-C&Category_Code=ZBA-38SP

Thanks - lots of choices.  Have any of you had personal experiences with one or another that you would recommend?

Atlanta Arms too.

Mike, you should have refused the entire case. Also midway should be ashamed of shipping it like that. I would probably be calling my CC company to dispute the charge. Midway isn't one of my favorites, their prices are just average and can be hard to get free shipping. Optics Planet has a surprising selection and you can always get free shipping and usually a 10% coupon.

I agree completely - the guy put it down at my door, damaged side down, had me sign, then rapidly vanished.  I flipped the box over as I got it into my apartment.  Everything else followed.

Yes, they should be ashamed - if I could ever reach the right person.  Nobody had any authority.  

Had I seen the damage, I'd never have signed for it.


I told my bank, I want full credit for the order, or for them to replace the order with good ammo, their choice.  I suspect the bank will simply refuse to pay them, and that will be the end of it, and I'll buy more 22 ammo elsewhere, and absolutely NOT a full 5,000 rounds in one order.

Magtech
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/10975
Functions fine and shoots ok in my 52
Also functioning fine are
Sellier & Bellot
Winchester
Remington (But some later lots have bullets seated long.)
Federal
Zero reloads

Fiocchi shot well but functioning was poor.

YMMV

I shot a 95-6 in Timed Fire indoor with Zero 148 from Roze Distribution. My coach would say I musta flinched everything inward. Feeds, goes bang. Fits in Colt cylinders too.

Thanks; that narrows it down to:
Magtech
Seller & Bellot
Winchester
Federal 
Zero

I've heard very good things about Seller & Bellot.
My brother has always been buying Magtech.
Winchester and Federal are what I think people used many years ago.

Thanks again.

Is NSK still doing ammo?

Federal+1

Mike,
Years ago I bought Fiocchi - IMO and as I recall it is weak for semi autos.  I had to install lowest poundage spring in M52 I could find at Wolff, and then cut off couple coils to make it cycle.  It is my understanding that this ammo is designed for revolvers.  However if you are planning to reload, - brass is quite good, and this is lowest cost 38 WC ammo on the market in brass cases, TMBK.  (Blazer has one in aluminum cases).
Not so long ago, I bought 10 boxes of Remington Match from the source you quoted, - it is good to have some of it just to test your gun, and other ammo against it.
S&B is always a good choice with using reloading in mind.  Brass is excellent, but I've not had any experience with its 38WC.  (BTW - somewhere on the forum I saw a question about Herter's ammo - Herter's is Cabela's privately labeled ammo manufactured by S&B, so you would not make mistake buying it!)
Federal and Winchester are good choices too if you can find it.  Here is one possible source - [url=https://www.lg-outdoors.com/Search/Submit?CategoryID=1410&MinPrice=0&MaxPrice=0&BrandID=Federal cartridge&instockonly=False&NewOnly=False&Keywords=&SortBy=Popularity&StartRow=1&EndRow=99&Rating=0&filtersselected={"Caliber":"38 Special","Weight (gr)":"148"]https://www.lg-outdoors.com/Search/Submit?CategoryID=1410&MinPrice=0&MaxPrice=0&BrandID=Federal%20Cartridge&InStockOnly=False&NewOnly=False&Keywords=&SortBy=Popularity&StartRow=1&EndRow=99&Rating=0&filtersselected={%22Caliber%22:%2238%20Special%22,%22Weight%20(gr)%22:%22148%22[/url]}
Disclaimer - I have not used this source on my own yet, but it is on my list of sources alone with SG Ammo.  I use latte regularly.
AP

Thank you.  It sounds like Federal and Remington are at the top of the list.

Fiocchi is now off my list.  What's still left is most likely:

Magtech
Seller & Bellot
Winchester
Federal 
Remington Match

Atlanta arms too....

Wow Midway really messed up on that ammo order.  Also I forgot that Precision Delta has loaded 38 special HBWC as well.  I have not tried it but have used their bullets for reloading and have been pleased.

good luck

ammoseek.com


narrow the search to Federal 148 gr, and you get a lot of options, the below is just a sample






[th]Retailer[/th][th]Manufacturer[/th][th]Caliber[/th][th]Type [/th][th]Grains[/th][th]When [/th][th]Description[/th][th]Limits[/th][th]Casing[/th][th]New? [/th][th]Price[/th][th]# Rounds[/th][th]Price/Rd[/th][th]S/H [/th][th]Error?[/th]

Target Sports USA

Federal

.38 Special

T/P

148

10s

Federal Gold Medal 38 Special Ammo 148 Grain Match Wadcutter Box of 50 - brass case - MPN GM38A ( UPC - 029465089412)

-

brass

✔

$19.99

50

40¢

Target Sports USA

Federal

.38 Special

T/P

148

10s

Federal Gold Medal 38 Special Ammo 148 Grain Match Wadcutter Case of 1000 (20 Boxes of 50) - FREE SHIPPING - brass case - MPN GM38A ( UPC - 029465089412)

-

brass

✔

$399.80

1,000

40¢

Foundry Outdoors

Federal

.38 Special

T/P

148

35s

Federal GM38A Premium 38 Special Lead Wadcutter 148 GR 50Box/20Case 029465089412

-

brass

✔

$24.28

50

48.6¢

Classic Firearms

Federal

.38 Special

T/P

148

45s

Federal GM38A Premium 38 Special Lead Wadcutter 148 GR - 50rd Box 029465089412

-

brass

✔

$24.44

50

48.9¢

GrabAGun

Federal

.38 Special

T/P

148

35s

Federal Gold MDL 38SPL 148GR Lead Wad Cutter 50rds - $12.99 Shipping on Unlimited Boxes - UPC: 029465089412

-

brass

✔

$24.59

50

49.2¢

I separate my brass by manufacturer (Federal, Winchester, Speer, etc). I load Precision Delta 148 gr. HBWC behind 2.5 gr. of Bullseye with a slight taper crimp (so it will feed in my 52). The load is very accurate and my brass falls right at my right side. Factory is too expensive and mine work just as good. My figures say it costs me between $5 and $7 per box to load.

I've been working on a list of which ones to buy when I return in three weeks.  I stumbled on this page based on a recommendation I found.  Anyone here have any experience with them?

https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/38-spl-148gr-hbwc-remanufactured-ammunition/

Anyone here have any experience with Atlanta Arms?
Seems expensive....

https://atlantaarms.com/38-special/

I’ve shot a little over 3000 rounds of the Precision Delta “remanufactured” 148 gr hbwc ammunition out of 3 different 52-2’s and a Clark long slide 38 conversion. Shoots great with zero malfunctions. Highly recommended.