Whats the best .38 Special ammo for a CAS lever action??

[Koyote]

 I have been trying to find someone in Mass/ Ct area that stocks .38 Special ammo for my Marlin 1894 CB Lever actiion.
Most stock just round nose lead period!!
Also it is had to get ammo shipped into Mass to boot!!!
What do you pards recommend?
Thanks ahead of time;
KK~!~

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Howdy Ken

       Most of us reload our own, so getting round nose flat point (RNFP ) lead bullets isn't much of a problem, lead bullets are all that's allowed, you say shopping the web is a problem where you live, so giving you links to others sources might not work for you in your situation, you might be better off to order through your gun dealer, this way you will get what you want, then I would suggest looking into loading your own, the plus side is it will only cost you a fraction of what store bought cost, and you can load them the way you like, but always use a manual and go by there printed formulas/guidelines. in fact by a manual first and read it before you even think about actually reloading or what type press you will buy, this will let you know if you think you will want to do it or not. IMHO.


                               Regards

                         tEN wOLVES 

[Koyote]

Thanks;
I eventually intend to reload my own, but in the meantime I was trying to find out what was the best factory ammo to use.
I just cannot find any In Mass/CT area. And no one will send to Mass.
We even have to show our LTC to purchase ammo in Mass. But go to Ct and walk in and buy!!! However they do not stock RNFP.
I have 500 rounds on order RNFP. I will use them in my Marlin and use my other in my Vaqueros.
Thanks again;
KK~!~

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

It is probably not that nobody stocks it, it is more likely they cannot get ahold of it. The ammo shortage is still pretty rampant in these parts.

Where do you live? I am guessing somewhere in the southern part of the state, near Conn. I live in the northern part of the state, near Lowell, right below the NH border. Mrs Johnson shoots a little Marlin CB rifle chambered for 357 Mag/38 Sp. It feeds ammo with semi-wadcutter bullets just fine. Not all rifles will feed them well, but hers will. Before I started reloading my own 38 Sp cowboy ammo for her, I would find cheap 38 Sp reloads locally and at gunshows. I also used to run up North, to Riley's in Hooksett NH and buy ammo. These days I reload her ammo with 125 grain Truncated Cone bullets I buy from Island Pond Paul (Moulton Lead). I buy them direct at matches from his agents, but I'll bet he will ship to Mass.

I suggest you broaden your search and try a box of ammo with semi-wadcutters and see if they will feed through your rifle, until the ammo shortage lets up.

[Johnny McCrae]

I buy just about all of my bullets from Paul at Moulton Lead.

In my Uberti .38 special 1866 Yellowboy I use Moulton lead's 147 grain bullets. Moulton Lead's service and quality are top notch.

He ships to Wisconsin.

[Koyote]

Howdy

It is probably not that nobody stocks it, it is more likely they cannot get ahold of it. The ammo shortage is still pretty rampant in these parts.

Where do you live? I am guessing somewhere in the southern part of the state, near Conn. I live in the northern part of the state, near Lowell, right below the NH border. Mrs Johnson shoots a little Marlin CB rifle chambered for 357 Mag/38 Sp. It feeds ammo with semi-wadcutter bullets just fine. Not all rifles will feed them well, but hers will. Before I started reloading my own 38 Sp cowboy ammo for her, I would find cheap 38 Sp reloads locally and at gunshows. I also used to run up North, to Riley's in Hooksett NH and buy ammo. These days I reload her ammo with 125 grain Truncated Cone bullets I buy from Island Pond Paul (Moulton Lead). I buy them direct at matches from his agents, but I'll bet he will ship to Mass.

I suggest you broaden your search and try a box of ammo with semi-wadcutters and see if they will feed through your rifle, until the ammo shortage lets up.

Hi;
I am in South Berkshires near Ct line. I work in Ct so I get to check out most of the gun  shops around the state, No Cowboy ammo. Even Cabelsa has none in stock.
KK~!~

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy Again

If you can't get it from Cabellas, that should tell you something. Like I said, the ammo shortage is not over yet in these parts. I dunno any place that is stocking cowboy ammo. Restocking is still very iffy everywhere. I was just up to Rileys on Saturday, and they had plenty of 9mm and 40 caliber, but not much else. I reload all my cowboy ammo, but I'm still having trouble finding primers.

Like I said earlier, see if you can find some 38 Special with Semi-Wadcutter bullets. It might feed through your Marlin just fine, like it does through Mrs Johnson's Marlin.

[August]

There's a Cabela's in East Hartford Connecticut.  They often carry Ten-X, Winchester, and Black Dawg ammunition.  If they don't have it at the store, you can order it from the catalog and have it delivered to the store. 

While buying factory made ammo is expensive.  I find Cabelas often has reasonable prices.  They are part of the reason for the ammo shortage -- they have it all.

[Slim Goodnight]

I expect your Marlin is 357/38 sp. Have you shot 38sp through it? how does it feed it? Save your brass, you can save for a reloader or trade it in with some ammo sale places.

[Koyote]

I expect your Marlin is 357/38 sp. Have you shot 38sp through it? how does it feed it? Save your brass, you can save for a reloader or trade it in with some ammo sale places.

Actually I have only shot .38 specials through it. I probably have about only 200 rounds through it, as I could not find the RNFP Cowboy loads.
I do plan on reloading after this summer, but first one has to find the  Cowboy loads to shoot to make brass for reloading.
Finding it is harder than I thought. My local gun shop did get me 500 rounds of Ultramax RNFP cowboy loads.
I will just use that in my Marlin and use the other RN in my Vaqueros.
KK~!~

[Goatlips]

Snakebite Greasewagon boolits in a .38 spl case, feeds well in my Marlin and perfectly in my Rossi.  Just my well studied opinion.

Goatlips

[Kidd Krystin]

Hey Koyote,

You don't say if you also shoot .38 Spl. in your pistols. 

I shoot .38 Spl. in both rifle and pistols.  Well before I bought reloading equipment I bought UMC (Remington) lead round nose, fed those through my pistols, and saved the brass.  That way I had a lot of good brass ready for when I did start reloading.

[Texas Lawdog]

My Rossi prefers the .357 cases. The longer case seems to work better.

[Jefro]

Howdy Ken, have you tried Ammo Direct?? I've used thier stuff before with good results, also if your Marlin is OAL sensitive they have a longer round for lever guns. Never had a problem with 125gr FP in any of my Marlins or 73. Good Luck.
Ammo Direct 125gr
125gr Lever Rifle

Jefro

[Koyote]

Hey Koyote,

You don't say if you also shoot .38 Spl. in your pistols. 

I shoot .38 Spl. in both rifle and pistols.  Well before I bought reloading equipment I bought UMC (Remington) lead round nose, fed those through my pistols, and saved the brass.  That way I had a lot of good brass ready for when I did start reloading.

I guess I wasn't clear on my question.
First I live in Mass. so no importing ammo here, no one will ship to us!!!
I have a Marlin 1894 CB .357
also 2 New Vaquero 5-1/2" stainless in .357
I have only used .38 Special in all 3 of them so far. I shoot .357 in my other Rugers though.
I am looking for new ammo in .38 Special cowboy loads as I had none when I started the post.I now have 500 rounds of Ultramax RNFP cowboy loads.
I have 200-300 Independance .38 Special ammo RN lead which I can use in my Vaqueros and save the RNFP for my Marlin.
Next fall I will try to reload when I have all that empty brass!!
Thanks for the help guys.
KK~!~

[Koyote]

Howdy Ken, have you tried Ammo Direct?? I've used thier stuff before with good results, also if your Marlin is OAL sensitive they have a longer round for lever guns. Never had a problem with 125gr FP in any of my Marlins or 73. Good Luck.
Ammo Direct 125gr
125gr Lever Rifle

Jefro

Hi;
Thanks for the replys.. I live in Mass and those guys won't ship to Mass. I have found some over in Hartford, Ct at Cabela's.
I just have to pick them up. about an hour plus away from here.
In Mass we have to have a Permit to buy, but in Ct walk in hand over the money and walk out with ammo. What an idea.
I am heading over to Circle K in NY state Sunday to meet some of the SASS guys over there. Turns out one of my High Schoot friends husband is a SASS member too. He is going to take my over Sunday.
Thanks
KK~!~

[Jefro]

Have one your pards from another state buy them for you, then pick em up at a match. Just a thought, we go together on group buys of bulk BP, then meet later and divie up. Good Luck.

Jefro

[Trooper Zeke]

I have a Rossie 92 16" Carbine 357/.38 special. This has a magazine that will only hold 8 rounds of .357 and unless your careful about overall length 9 and a half rounds of .38 special. Yes I have found loads available that will allow me to put 10 rounds in the Rossi with very minimal changes to the magazine and spring. My search for inexpensive and properly sized ammo took me to Georgia Arms. They sell several .38 special cowboy action loads in 125 and 158 grains. The price is 280.00 per thousand for new and 210.00 per thousand for reloads plus freight. With the availability of IMR Trail Boss powder my long time reluctance to reloading has diminished and I loaded my first 50 rounds of .38 last night.