Are .38 special full metal jacket bullets good for target shooting?

Question

I just bought a .38 special and some full metal jacket rounds for the shooting range and it looked to me like they were the best choice for targets, and not the hollowpoint self-defense ammo. I was wondering would full metal jackets be the best choice or should I get some lead cowboy loads the next time I buy a box of .38 specials.

Answer 1

FMJ's work best for target shooting. They are cheap and won't leave lead residue inside your barrel. Keep using them at the range.

Answer 2

38 Special Cowboy Loads

Answer 3

The full metal jackets will be a lot cleaner to shoot than the lead solids, plus you will have a lot less exposure to lead which is very toxic. I try to stay away from lead solids for target shooting, however I do use the 158 grain LSWHP as a self-defense round in my snub nose.

Answer 4

.38SPL 130gr FMJ rounds were originally developed for the military way back in WW2. The best target rounds for .38SPL are 148gr HBWC or 158gr LSWC (both lead). There was a 158gr FMJ SWC offered by CCI Blazer years ago. LRN and FMJ are basically old combat rounds that are ok for general shooting. They are also the cheapest to shoot.

FMJ=full metal jacket
LRN=lead round nose
LSWC=lead semi-wadcutter
HBWC=hollow base wadcutter

Answer 5

They're fine, as long as you don't get too close if you shoot any steel plates. They have a nasty habit of fragmenting - not a problem if you keep a good distance.

The "standard" is a lead round nose, or lead semi-wadcutter bullet, but a FMJ is fine for target.

Answer 6

FMJs have an irritating tendency to ricochet, they fragment and have been known to return in the direction of the shooter. Ball ammo and wadcutters are far better suited for plinking at the range but require a little more time spent in cleaning the revolver. I would suggest you stay with the lead rounds and away from the fmj. Use ptfe based lube in your cylinder and barrel to reduce friction and build up of lead.

Nothing sucks worse than shooting yourself by proxy. Being hit with frags or ricochets is irritating and can be dangerous..

Answer 7

.38 SPL 130 gr. FMJ ammunition has a widely held and well deserved reputation for abysmal accuracy.

If you want cheap factory plinking ammo, just get generic ammo from Federal, Winchester, or Remington loaded with 158 gr. LRN bullets.

Those 130-gr FMJ bullets are practically worthless.

Doc

Answer 8

I agree with Doc, however, indoor ranges won't let you shoot anything with exposed lead so lead ball ammo is out and so are wadcutters. This is the only place I would consider shooting the 130 grain FMJ .38s, and only at paper.

Best.

H

Answer 9

fmj are good, but the best plinking or target shooting rounds are practice ammunition. one thing to consider though is what is your ultimate goal and purpose for the weapon. is it potentially for self defense? if so, practice with ammunition that is the same weight and load power as what you will carry to protect yourself. that way you will be used to the recoil and the way the rounds behave.

Answer 10

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