Is Winchester 38 Special 148 grain Super Match gone for good, or temporarily?

When I first got my M-52, a member of this forum offered to sell me two boxes of this ammo, so I could get to shoot the gun while I was getting ready to reload.  Very much appreciated!!   I shot one box, and put the other aside for a "rainy day".

Now that I'm starting to reload, while I think I need to improve my reloading, at least I do have ammo to shoot.  My question to this forum is what is the status of the Winchester ammo?  Is it permanently discontinued, or is it available "every so often", or ???

Hello mikemyers,

What I "know"....Remington has discontinued their wad cutter ammunition.  Winchester was still being sold, by several vendors, in December, 2017.  Perhaps online vendors were selling their old stock?

By the way, great ammunition (my guns shot it better than Remington's).

Jim

Have you tried the Federal Gold Medal Match?

Nope, never heard of it.  I'm mostly asking for a relative of mine, who wants to buy some.  For me, one way or another, I will learn how to make my own.

I did look it up - thanks - and found it here:

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-gold-medal-38-special-ammo-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx

Have you tried it in a M-52, or know of someone who has?

I want to say that Federal GMM worked well in The Boss Ladies 52.I've been rolling my own with some old National 148 HBWCs and they've been working well also.-Mike

The Federal, Winchester and Remington are all about the same. Your gun may like one or the other better. Best place to find this stuff is at gunshows and on line. There are plenty of old PPC shooters selling of their hoards.

Here is a spot to look.

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/38-special/-handgun-148grains-target?ikw=wadcutter

or

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=%2F_%2FN-21694%2B4294930241%3FNp%3D2%26Nr%3DAND%2528p_visible%253A1%252Ccustomertypeid%253A1%2529%26Nrpp%3D24%26Ns%3Dp_metric_sales_velocity%257C1%26Ntpc%3D1%26Ntpr%3D1&userItemsPerPage=48&persistedItemsPerPage=0


Or.. How about Winchester?  IN STOCK

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/winchester-38-special-ammunition-50-rounds-super-x-lwc-148-grains-020892201361.do?sortby=priceAscend&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=117340

Mike,
 The friend of mine that I have been selling his guns and brass gave me a ammo list that I have yet to deal with online. According to the list he has 700 rounds of the WW and 550 rounds of the Federal. PM me if you have any interest.
Tom Ginovsky

Thanks - I will send you a PM later today - my relative might be interested.  As for me, I did some testing this morning - will post the results after I get back from lunch.  I need to sort everything out in my mind. Again, thank you!

I ransom rest tested all the factory 148 hbwc in many ppc revolvers in years past. The most accurate was the Winchester Western that came in 2k round cases. Boy were those cases heavy. Old from the 70-80's. The boxes were 50rds white without plastic or foam trays. Just a half cardboard that held the rds alternating up/down. Factory Star and Remington were next in a dead heat. Occasionally Federal had a good lot.

Yes, the 70's W-W loads we're great! And Mark III .22 also

The Winchester 148 grain 38 special super match is still listed on their website as available.

Federal Gold Medal had been considered the "gold standard" of factory ammo.  I used it in my 52-1 with great success
and used it as a template when I was reloading.  It used to be in the $45-$50 range for a box.  I just found this for your
consideration.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/federal-premium-gold-medal-38-special-148-grain-lead-wadcutter-match-50-rounds?a=1593141

That price from sportsmansguide is a great deal.

I believe the newer Federal GM match .38 uses the Speer HBWC
which is a sister company as well as Alliant.

some clues here...

That Federal Gold Medal ammo is available from Target Sports USA for $400/1000:

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-gold-medal-38-special-ammo-148-grain-match-wadcutter-gm38a-p-1187.aspx

With the "Prime Ammo" membership it is $367.82 delivered.

A relative isn't sure if it will work in a Model 52.  From reading this thread, I'm pretty sure it will.  Any advice?

Only way to be sure is to try it. 100 rounds should tell.