ammo question

newruger · February 17, 2007, 05:45 PM

Just bought my first handgun (ruger gp100) prior to this ive owned 22 rifles and shotguns only so I am a little new to the ammo. I picked up to boxes of ammo for cheap at rural king to run through it to start with remington UMC lead RN (round nose?) 38 special. But I dont know if these are any good to start with or what the difference is between them and full metal jacket bullets if any? I have also heard wadcutters mentioned but dont knwo what they are? I do understand that you can get hollow points. Are all bullets for 38s or 357 lead if now is lead worse then other materials? sorry for the stupid questions

chris in va · February 17, 2007, 05:54 PM

Have you taken a handgun safety course yet? It's a different world from long guns.

Diggers · February 17, 2007, 06:08 PM

Hey nice .357 you bought. How long is the barrel on it?

About the .38's yep that would be a good place to start to get used to shooting your revolver. Get the cheap stuff in .38 special until you feel more comfortable with shooting. No need to worry about the recoil now. (.357 can be stout, but your gun is a nice one for that.)

Yeah bullets are lead some have a copper jacket covering the lead. Go the web site of an ammo maker and they will often have good pics of the bullets they use. Or a reloading site will show you bullet types also.

Do take a class, its real good information and the safe thing to do. Its FUN also.

newruger · February 17, 2007, 06:48 PM

Thought about taking a class but cant finding anything nearby. Anygood places to look. The NRA class is over 2 hours away and I really wouldnt want to spend that much/

Pointer · February 17, 2007, 06:48 PM

What they said... for target practice...

I would also like to recommend the 125 grain Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point for defense purposes in the .357 Magnum. (3" or longer barrel)

If you are shooting a short barrel (a snubby) I recommend the Gold Dot 135 grain SJHP in .38 Special... in a snubby, that's the right cartridge for the gun.

These defense rounds are expensive but you need only practice with them once or twice and then return to your wadcutters etc. for practice in earnest.

newruger · February 17, 2007, 07:20 PM

4 inch barrel by the way/

skeeter1 · February 17, 2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

sorry for the stupid questions

There's no such thing as a stupid question. You'll find many people here that will answer your questions as best that they can.

Now, on to your quest for ammo for your Ruger, start by looking here:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/3403855c_bec.htm

I'm partial to Winchester Silvertips and Hornady XTPs. Neither one is cheap, but I guess all ammo is going up these days. Good thing I reload.

Have a good time here on TFL.

NCHornet · February 18, 2007, 02:31 PM

The round nose are okay for plinking but I don't like to use to many lead rounds through my guns, they build up pretty quick. I do have about 5000 HBWC that I like to shoot in my .38/.357 because they puch nice round holes in the paper. A FMJ bullet will keep your gun much cleaner, just make sure you use a solvent that will take care of copper and lead fouling. For SD purposes I carry Hydrashocks in everything I own. I have seen their performance on whitetail deer and it is impressive. To learn what all the abreviations mean, visit a website like Remington and they should have a chart. If you are any where near MT Airy,NC I would be happy to shoot with you and educate you.

February 17, 2007, 05:45 PM	#1
newruger Junior Member Join Date: February 17, 2007 Posts: 5	ammo question Just bought my first handgun (ruger gp100) prior to this ive owned 22 rifles and shotguns only so I am a little new to the ammo. I picked up to boxes of ammo for cheap at rural king to run through it to start with remington UMC lead RN (round nose?) 38 special. But I dont know if these are any good to start with or what the difference is between them and full metal jacket bullets if any? I have also heard wadcutters mentioned but dont knwo what they are? I do understand that you can get hollow points. Are all bullets for 38s or 357 lead if now is lead worse then other materials? sorry for the stupid questions

February 17, 2007, 06:48 PM	#5
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	What they said... for target practice... I would also like to recommend the 125 grain Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point for defense purposes in the .357 Magnum. (3" or longer barrel) If you are shooting a short barrel (a snubby) I recommend the Gold Dot 135 grain SJHP in .38 Special... in a snubby, that's the right cartridge for the gun. These defense rounds are expensive but you need only practice with them once or twice and then return to your wadcutters etc. for practice in earnest. __________________ . "Political correctness is tyranny with a happy face." Charlton Heston 30-06 FOREVER

February 18, 2007, 02:31 PM	#8
NCHornet Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2006 Posts: 1,001	The round nose are okay for plinking but I don't like to use to many lead rounds through my guns, they build up pretty quick. I do have about 5000 HBWC that I like to shoot in my .38/.357 because they puch nice round holes in the paper. A FMJ bullet will keep your gun much cleaner, just make sure you use a solvent that will take care of copper and lead fouling. For SD purposes I carry Hydrashocks in everything I own. I have seen their performance on whitetail deer and it is impressive. To learn what all the abreviations mean, visit a website like Remington and they should have a chart. If you are any where near MT Airy,NC I would be happy to shoot with you and educate you. __________________ When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away!! Carry ON!! NCHornet

February 17, 2007, 05:54 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Have you taken a handgun safety course yet? It's a different world from long guns.

February 17, 2007, 06:08 PM	#3
Diggers Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2005 Posts: 366	Hey nice .357 you bought. How long is the barrel on it? About the .38's yep that would be a good place to start to get used to shooting your revolver. Get the cheap stuff in .38 special until you feel more comfortable with shooting. No need to worry about the recoil now. (.357 can be stout, but your gun is a nice one for that.) Yeah bullets are lead some have a copper jacket covering the lead. Go the web site of an ammo maker and they will often have good pics of the bullets they use. Or a reloading site will show you bullet types also. Do take a class, its real good information and the safe thing to do. Its FUN also.

February 17, 2007, 07:20 PM	#6
newruger Junior Member Join Date: February 17, 2007 Posts: 5	4 inch barrel by the way/