Model 52 shooters- What are you doing for ammo?

I  have one box of Federal Gold Medal Match left.  Haven't had to buy any in about 15 years for my Model 52 (no dash).  Just wonder what everyone out there is using and where the best deals are.  I've never had much luck with reman ammo for it, and don't want to start loading my own.

Look here for what is available and prices:  
https://ammoseek.com/ammo/38-special/-handgun-148grains-  

I like Remington, and it is highly spoken of here, but it was discontinued awhile ago.

Thanks NuJudge.  My gun never liked Remington or Winchester, just the Federal.  But there are quite a few new manufacturers out there that weren't in building 38 HBWCs last time I had to buy ammo.  Thoughts on manufacturers such as Black Hills and Fiocchi?

What about Precision Delta or Roze/Zero? They both load 38 hbwc wadcutters for bullseye/PPC shooters and they both offer the choice of re-manufactured or new brass. I don't have experience with them but I recall reading they make a great product.

desben wrote:What about Precision Delta or Roze/Zero? They both load 38 hbwc wadcutters for bullseye/PPC shooters and they both offer the choice of re-manufactured or new brass. I don't have experience with them but I recall reading they make a great product.

Would love to hear comments/sources about anything not mentioned in my original post.  Back in the day, the big three were Federal, Remington and Winchester.

New ammo from the retailers will be pricey.

Consider watching GunBroker for someone selling a case from an estate. Often you can get a good price.

Some of the old Western shot very well. I also have a Model 52-0 and it prefers the lower velocity Federal ammo.

As a bonus, the ammo might have been issued to a military shooter. Result, more X's.

Cheers,

Dave

I had some Zero reloads (1 box) and it shot and functioned fine.  Federal is kinda sorta out there somewhere, but is pricey when you find it and I'm not sure it's the same as it once was.  Same for Winchester and Remington.  Magtech and Sellier and Bellot both load wadcutter and they functioned and shot fine in my 52-2.  Fiocchi loads it as well but they did not function my pistol. Availability is the real issue.  It no longer sells well so the ammo companies only load it once a year or do.

The Remington is still cataloged and I think Sportsmans guide has it, hard to find on their website 

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/remington-target-38-special-tmwc-148-grain-50-rounds?a=1581506

Precision Delta has their own version of this ammo, have not tried it though.

Good luck

I reload mine, but I wouldn't hesitate to use Zero reloaded ammo in my S&W 52-1. I think their prices include shipping, with a minimum amount.

hp246 wrote:...and don't want to start loading my own.

Apologies if this is a thread drift, but is there any chance we could convince you otherwise?

Besides the fact that handloading brings cost/shot way, way, WAY down, it's an extremely rewarding hobby all on it's own. And IMO, there is quite literally nowhere better to start than with the .38 Special.

You needn't sink many hundreds of dollars in to equipment, either.

Sevens wrote:

hp246 wrote:...and don't want to start loading my own.

Apologies if this is a thread drift, but is there any chance we could convince you otherwise?

Besides the fact that handloading brings cost/shot way, way, WAY down, it's an extremely rewarding hobby all on it's own. And IMO, there is quite literally nowhere better to start than with the .38 Special.

You needn't sink many hundreds of dollars in to equipment, either.

I'm considering it.  See my question on another thread about loading .38 HBWC.  Just never had very good luck with reloads in my 52.

Don't know if this helps you out but these are on sale at Target Sport USA.

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

Virgil

Great price depending on shipping.