Recommendations for 38 Spc. 130 Gr. FMJ practice ammo ?

July 02, 2026, 08:23 PM

I'm working on shooting technique for some revolvers, and for actual range time, I've been shooting the ever popular Winchester 130 Gr. FMJ Range ammo aka WWB.

I like it because it burns clean enough, but I'd like some that moves a little quicker, around 900 vs 800 fps, since it's a little closer to defense ammo in velocity.

I'm not a brand loyalist, but it needs to be available, reasonably priced in some quantity, and not anything from the Reds, and no aluminum cases or steel jacketed bullets.

What do you like and where do you buy it ?

July 02, 2026, 08:40 PM

sigfreund

I don’t have any experience with it, but the Speer Lawman line has a 158 grain +P load with a claimed velocity of 900 fps. At that velocity and weight it would be a fairly potent training load.
It is not, however, inexpensive, so that would be something to consider.

https://www.speer.com/ammuniti...aining/19-53750.html

July 02, 2026, 08:58 PM

Vaftocr

quote:
Originally posted by wrightd:
I'm working on shooting technique for some revolvers, and for actual range time, I've been shooting the ever popular Winchester 130 Gr. FMJ Range ammo aka WWB.

I like it because it burns clean enough, but I'd like some that moves a little quicker, around 900 vs 800 fps, since it's a little closer to defense ammo in velocity.

I'm not a brand loyalist, but it needs to be available, reasonably priced in some quantity, and not anything from the Reds, and no aluminum cases or steel jacketed bullets.

What do you like and where do you buy it ?

Honestly I buy whatever is the cheapest or on sale for the range. I may not understand your question or am confused. If you are working on technique I don’t follow why the ammo would be a concern. If for accuracy, than I would get it. Although for me, it wouldn’t matter much. I am definitely not a good enough shot that that I shoot in between that fine of a margin.

July 02, 2026, 09:08 PM

wrightd

quote:
Originally posted by Vaftocr:
quote:
Originally posted by wrightd:
I'm working on shooting technique for some revolvers, and for actual range time, I've been shooting the ever popular Winchester 130 Gr. FMJ Range ammo aka WWB.

I like it because it burns clean enough, but I'd like some that moves a little quicker, around 900 vs 800 fps, since it's a little closer to defense ammo in velocity.

I'm not a brand loyalist, but it needs to be available, reasonably priced in some quantity, and not anything from the Reds, and no aluminum cases or steel jacketed bullets.

What do you like and where do you buy it ?

Honestly I buy whatever is the cheapest or on sale for the range. I may not understand your question or am confused. If you are working on technique I don’t follow why the ammo would be a concern. If for accuracy, than I would get it. Although for me, it wouldn’t matter much. I am definitely not a good enough shot that that I shoot in between that fine of a margin.

I don't want to work on grip, trigger, and technique with expensive defense or hunting ammo, just fmj range ammo in 130 grains. After I'm practiced up to the point my groups shrink, then I can find the end-use ammo for that particular gun. If I can't shoot the gun well enough with the light practice ammo, then it's time to sell the gun.

July 02, 2026, 09:52 PM

jljones

I bought a bunch of the Winchester brown box 130 grain stuff. My 66, 686, and 28 loves it.

July 02, 2026, 09:54 PM

Vaftocr

quote:
Originally posted by wrightd:
quote:
Originally posted by Vaftocr:
quote:
Originally posted by wrightd:
I'm working on shooting technique for some revolvers, and for actual range time, I've been shooting the ever popular Winchester 130 Gr. FMJ Range ammo aka WWB.

I like it because it burns clean enough, but I'd like some that moves a little quicker, around 900 vs 800 fps, since it's a little closer to defense ammo in velocity.

I'm not a brand loyalist, but it needs to be available, reasonably priced in some quantity, and not anything from the Reds, and no aluminum cases or steel jacketed bullets.

What do you like and where do you buy it ?

Honestly I buy whatever is the cheapest or on sale for the range. I may not understand your question or am confused. If you are working on technique I don’t follow why the ammo would be a concern. If for accuracy, than I would get it. Although for me, it wouldn’t matter much. I am definitely not a good enough shot that that I shoot in between that fine of a margin.

I don't want to work on grip, trigger, and technique with expensive defense or hunting ammo, just fmj range ammo in 130 grains. After I'm practiced up to the point my groups shrink, then I can find the end-use ammo for that particular gun. If I can't shoot the gun well enough with the light practice ammo, then it's time to sell the gun.

Wrong, it would be time to buy another gun, not sell the current one.

July 03, 2026, 06:31 AM

wrightd

quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
I bought a bunch of the Winchester brown box 130 grain stuff. My 66, 686, and 28 loves it.

Brown box ? That's very vague memory for me, my guess it would have the same contents as the WWB rounds.

July 03, 2026, 12:02 PM

Pizza Bob

PMC Bronze 132 Gr FMJ. They claim 917 fps

Adios,

Pizza Bob

July 03, 2026, 05:41 PM

4MUL8R

Lucky Gunner dot com has a helpful email contact with recommendations. They sell ammo.

July 03, 2026, 10:35 PM

jimmy123x

I used to like Magtech for .38 special.

July 04, 2026, 09:50 PM

Citadel

https://www.bereli.com/53833/?...avad=74383_d4d69f0d5

>38 Special Lawman Loads. 158 Grain TMJ. Case lots. Great training round. decent velocity. Not punishing. Free shipping.

July 05, 2026, 06:28 AM

sourdough44

https://sgammo.com/catalog/pis...ale/38-special-ammo/

I’d swing through sgammo, see what they have. Even if you don’t buy there, an idea of baseline prices.