looking for 38 special ammo

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  • doddg

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    May 15, 2017
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    Based on tips here I bought hundreds of rounds 22LR and the same with some 9mm online last evening:
    PMC Bronze 9mm 115gr FMJ Ammunition 50rds - 9A $99.90 (10 boxes)Shipping & Handling $0.00
    Grand Total (Excl.Tax) $99.90
    Tax $0.00
    Grand Total (Incl.Tax) $99.90
    Palmetto State Armory

    AND

    CCI .22 Long Rifle 40 Grain Round Nose High Velocity, 100rds - $69.90 (10 boxes)
    Shipping & Handling $0.00
    Grand Total (Excl.Tax) $69.90
    Tax $0.00
    Grand Total (Incl.Tax) $69.90
    Palmetto State Armory

    I know the CCI was OK, but since I'm not using a semi for it, I could have gotten standard velocity, but I had tried to buy some 6 cent/ea. shells but they were sold out and these were on sale (7cents ea.).
    I'm not sure about the PMC quality, reviews were fine. At 20 cents ea. they are a little cheaper than the 21 and 24 cents ea. at the range.


    Strangely enough, most prices don't beat what I'm buying at the range (Tim's Shooting Academy in Westfield) for 380, 38 special or 9mm.
    Since I don't know brands (besides notes I've made on this site) I feel safe buying at the range, especially 9mm for the semi-autos, so no FTF.

    Being new to buying ammo since 1990, I am shocked at prices for 9mm and especially 38 special.

    I can't find anything for 38 special to tempt me.

    I did find this on Armslist:
    For Sale/Trade: 250 Rd Mega Box 38 Special $ 75, for Remingtion UMC, but it was too far away, like most buying of ammo from individuals here on INGO.

    380 and 9mm need to be of decent quality to avoid FTF in my semis, but my 38 special and 22LRL for the revolvers should be able to buy something for the range.
    I know the 22 Thunderbolts were really dirty, and I suppose it is the same way with 38 specials, since a FTF for the range isn't a deal breaker, but a person wouldn't want a really "dirty" shell.
    Seems hard to find a w/o paying 30 cent or much more for each shell.
     

    Mgderf

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    For .38spl, you need to start reloading.
    The .380 would also pay to roll your own.
    9mm not so much, but you can build better ammo than you can buy.
     

    1775usmarine

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    I worked up a nice load for my 6in GP100 in 38 at 25yds. I can also find plenty 38 brass when I do make it to the range that makes it even cheaper to roll. I find reloading 38spl is pretty straight forward and an easy round to reload.
     

    doddg

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    For .38spl, you need to start reloading.
    The .380 would also pay to roll your own.
    9mm not so much, but you can build better ammo than you can buy.

    1. I'm sure the math is logical, but it's not going to happen.
    2. I'm not going to shoot 1000s of rounds per year, but only a few hundred at best, maybe a 1000 rounds per year.
    3. I won't put but a box or two of 380 through in a year, with lots in my 22, and some through my 9mms and my 38 specials.
     

    Leadeye

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    I'm with Mgderf on this, 38 special is an easy and versatile cartridge to get started reloading.
     

    Mgderf

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    1. I'm sure the math is logical, but it's not going to happen.
    2. I'm not going to shoot 1000s of rounds per year, but only a few hundred at best, maybe a 1000 rounds per year.
    3. I won't put but a box or two of 380 through in a year, with lots in my 22, and some through my 9mms and my 38 specials.

    Suit yourself, but you can set up to load .357/.38spl for less than $200 if you use a hand press.
    Press, dies, primers, powder, projectiles, cases, the whole nine yards for under $200.

    Now, if you consider that you can cut the cost of your .38spl ammo by about half for range/plinking ammo.
    It wont take long to make back that $200, even at only a couple hundred rounds a year.

    To top it off you can produce much more accurate and reliable ammo than you can buy.

    If you want to go real cheap, look at something called the LEE LOADER.
    It is a complete loading kit in a small box, for loading 1 round (of 1 caliber) at a time by hand.
     

    geronimojoe85

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    .38 Spec is a great caliber to start reloading with.

    If you're thinking about going that direction but aren't sure about the expense, you can get one of those Lee loaders for less than $30. I started on one and loaded a crap ton of rounds before I bought my first actual press. Some generic small pistol primers, a pound of unique, some 158 grain lead bullets and a plastic mallet and you're in business. Only other thing I could see adding is a cheap scale and a set of calipers to really dial it in.
     

    CraigAPS

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    Jun 26, 2016
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    I typically buy my .38 spl ammo from Freedom Munitions. It's usually around $13-14 per 50. I use their 158 gr FP profile new rounds and have never had a problem with them. I've not used their reman stuff, but after over 1000 rounds or their new stuff, I have never had any squibs or failure to fires. Their shipping can take a while, though. So, don't expect it the next week! They run specials on shipping fairly often. They'll do a free shipping over $99 special or, right now, they do a free shipping over $150. They used to, not sure if they still do, a free shipping for new customers.
     

    doddg

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    Just got a email from freedom munitions, they have a clearance sale going on for 9mm {.14 per round } and 38 special for {.20 cents per round}

    https://www.freedommunitions.com/cl...+Shipping+Over+$150+Plus+Huge+Sale+on+Ammo+??

    1. Thanks! I checked into it tonight but didn't see it!
    2. I just bought 2000 rounds of 9mm (Perfecta, 115 gr.) this evening and 700 rounds of 22: CCi Mini-Mag (100); CCI Ar Tactical (300) and Dederal AutoMatch (325), all for $40 from the guy I bought the 9mm Perfecta from.
    3. this is after buying 1000 rounds from Palmetto last evening, and 1000 rounds of CC1 .22
     
    Last edited:

    doddg

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    May 15, 2017
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    I typically buy my .38 spl ammo from Freedom Munitions. It's usually around $13-14 per 50. I use their 158 gr FP profile new rounds and have never had a problem with them. I've not used their reman stuff, but after over 1000 rounds or their new stuff, I have never had any squibs or failure to fires. Their shipping can take a while, though. So, don't expect it the next week! They run specials on shipping fairly often. They'll do a free shipping over $99 special or, right now, they do a free shipping over $150. They used to, not sure if they still do, a free shipping for new customers.

    1. Just got off the Freedom Munitions cite, and I even found some 24 cents/ea. remanufactured ammo, but I bought $149.84 worth, and at the top it said I qualified for the $150 free shipping ($149.85 rounded up to $150), but when I got to the checkout they were charging me $17 in shipping, so I got mad and left the site, b/c I can wait until the $99 free shipping, or buy from another site, unless they are really the cheapest and I have no choice. :laugh:
     

    CraigAPS

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    Jun 26, 2016
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    1. Just got off the Freedom Munitions cite, and I even found some 24 cents/ea. remanufactured ammo, but I bought $149.84 worth, and at the top it said I qualified for the $150 free shipping ($149.85 rounded up to $150), but when I got to the checkout they were charging me $17 in shipping, so I got mad and left the site, b/c I can wait until the $99 free shipping, or buy from another site, unless they are really the cheapest and I have no choice. :laugh:

    It did that to me the other day, too. I did the same thing! Just emptied my cart, and I'll wait. I'm stubborn enough!
     

    doddg

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    They may do the Free ship $99+ for Labor Day in a few weeks. It seems like they do it for the major holidays.

    1. I can wait.
    2. Tomorrow after work I'm going to buy 5 boxes of some 38 specials off a guy who had bought it for his wife's 38, but she ended up getting a 380 and they don't need it.
     
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