38 SPECIAL

The 38 Special (aka 38 S&W Special or 38 Spl) is one of the most popular revolver cartridges in the United States. It is compatible with all 357 Magnum firearms, including lever-action rifles. Overpressure 38 Special ammo is popular for self-defense, although the shooter must make certain their firearm is rated for +P before firing it. Defensive loads often have 125 grain jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets; target loads often feature 130 grain full metal jacket (FMJ) or 158 grain wadcutter projectiles. See our in-stock 38 special ammo for sale below and stock up today.
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21 - 40 of 72

  1. 50rds – 38 Special Magtech 158gr. FMJ Flat Ammo 50rds – 38 Special Magtech 158gr. FMJ Flat Ammo
    $24.95
    $0.5/ppr

    169 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    200
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  2. 50rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE 158gr. LSWHP Ammo 50rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE 158gr. LSWHP Ammo
    $24.95
    $0.5/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 7 Reviews

    168 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 7 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point(LSWCHP)
    Muzzle Energy
    284
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    900
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  3. 1000rds – 38 Special +P Magtech 158gr. SJSP Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special +P Magtech 158gr. SJSP Ammo
    $499.95
    $0.5/ppr

    5 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Semi-Jacketed Soft-Point (SJSP)
    Muzzle Energy
    278
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    890
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  4. 1000rds – 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJSP Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJSP Ammo
    $499.95
    $0.5/ppr

    9 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Semi-Jacketed Soft-Point (SJSP)
    Muzzle Energy
    200
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  5. 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJHP Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJHP Ammo
    $509.95
    $0.51/ppr

    5 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Semi-Jacketed Hollow-Point (SJHP)
    Muzzle Energy
    229
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    807
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  6. 900rds – 38 Special PMC 132gr. FMJ Ammo 900rds – 38 Special PMC 132gr. FMJ Ammo
    $459.95
    $0.51/ppr

    31 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    232
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    917
    Bullet Weight
    132 Grain
  7. 50rds – 38 Special +P Blazer 125gr. JHP Ammo 50rds – 38 Special +P Blazer 125gr. JHP Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    95 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Jacketed Hollow-Point (JHP)
    Muzzle Energy
    248
    Casing Type
    Aluminum
    Muzzle Velocity
    945
    Primer Type
    Berdan
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  8. 50rds - 38 Special Remington UMC 130gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Remington UMC 130gr. FMJ Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    149 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    Bullet type
    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    173
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    790
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    130 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  9. 50rds - 38 Special Speer Lawman 158gr. +P TMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Speer Lawman 158gr. +P TMJ Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    52 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Total Metal Jacket (TMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    284
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    900
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  10. 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 130gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 130gr. FMJ Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    179 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    260
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    950
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    130 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  11. 50rds – 38 Special Sellier & Bellot 158gr. LRN Ammo 50rds – 38 Special Sellier & Bellot 158gr. LRN Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    26 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Round Nose (LRN)
    Muzzle Energy
    349
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    997
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  12. 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 148gr. Lead Wadcutter Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 148gr. Lead Wadcutter Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 Reviews

    98 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Lead Wadcutter
    Muzzle Energy
    183
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    750
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    148 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  13. 50rds – 38 Special Speer Lawman 125gr. TMJ Ammo 50rds – 38 Special Speer Lawman 125gr. TMJ Ammo
    $25.95
    $0.52/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    192 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    Bullet type
    Total Metal Jacket (TMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    208
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    865
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
  14. 250rds - 38 Special Remington UMC Megapack 130gr. FMJ Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Remington UMC Megapack 130gr. FMJ Ammo
    $129.95
    $0.52/ppr

    13 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    173
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    790
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    130 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  15. 500rds - 38 Spec Remington 158gr UMC Lead Round Nose Ammo 500rds - 38 Spec Remington 158gr UMC Lead Round Nose Ammo
    $264.95
    $0.53/ppr

    49 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Round Nose (LRN)
    Muzzle Energy
    200
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  16. 300rds - 38 Special PMC Battle Pack 132gr. FMJ Ammo 300rds - 38 Special PMC Battle Pack 132gr. FMJ Ammo
    $159.95
    $0.53/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    17 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    Bullet type
    Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    232
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    917
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    132 Grain
  17. 50rds - 38 Spec Remington UMC 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo 50rds - 38 Spec Remington UMC 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo
    $26.95
    $0.54/ppr

    138 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Round Nose (LRN)
    Muzzle Energy
    200
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  18. 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJSP Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJSP Ammo
    $26.95
    $0.54/ppr

    152 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Semi-Jacketed Soft-Point (SJSP)
    Muzzle Energy
    200
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  19. 50rds – 38 Special Magtech 125gr. LFN Ammo 50rds – 38 Special Magtech 125gr. LFN Ammo
    $26.95
    $0.54/ppr

    139 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Flat Nose
    Muzzle Energy
    234
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    919
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
  20. 50rds - 38 Special Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 158gr. +P TMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 158gr. +P TMJ Ammo
    $27.95
    $0.56/ppr

    69 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Total Metal Jacket (TMJ)
    Muzzle Energy
    284
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    900
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain

21 - 40 of 72

Geltest header image

38 SPECIAL ballistic gel test results

We shot 16 different loads of 38 Special self-defense ammo into ballistic gel

Used firearms icon
Firearm Used S&W 640
Barrel length icon
Barrel Length 2.125"
Distance target icon
Distance to Target 10 Feet
Barrier icon
Barrier 4-layer cloth
Ammo 5-shot average penetration depth 5-shot average diameter 5-shot average velocity
500rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo
  22.12"
0.35" 822
20rds - 38 Special +P Federal Personal Defense Micro 130gr. HST JHP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special +P Federal Personal Defense Micro 130gr. HST JHP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special +P Federal Personal Defense Micro 130gr. HST JHP Ammo
  12.66"
0.72" 872
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 129gr. +P HP Ammo 20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 129gr. +P HP Ammo
  19.56"
0.35" 828
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 110gr. HP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 110gr. JHP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 110gr. JHP Ammo
  14.52"
0.51" 936
50rds – 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. JHP Ammo
  15.5"
0.35" 686
25rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
  14.64"
0.47" 961
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
  14.78"
0.46" 829
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Lite Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo
  13.9"
0.45" 910
25rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo
  18.58"
0.35" 675
50rds – 38 Special +P Remington HTP 125gr. SJHP Ammo 500rds – 38 Special +P Remington HTP 125gr. SJHP Ammo 500rds – 38 Special +P Remington HTP 125gr. SJHP Ammo
  14.78"
0.44" 898
20rds - 38 Special SinterFire Special Duty 110gr. Frangible HP Ammo
  16.3"
0.35" 1060
50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr. +P Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr. +P Ammo
  13.74"
0.57" 886
200rds – 38 Special +P Winchester Defender 130gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special +P Winchester Defender 130gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo
  17.86"
0.51" 843
50rds - 38 Special Winchester Silvertip 125gr. +P JHP Ammo 500rds - 38 Special +P Winchester 125gr. Super-X Silvertip Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 500rds - 38 Special +P Winchester 125gr. Super-X Silvertip Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo
  15.96"
0.49" 871
20rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo 200rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo 200rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo
  20.28"
0.38" 857
50rds - 38 Special Federal LE Hi-Shok 125gr. +P Hollow Point Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE 125gr. Hi-Shok JHP Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE 125gr. Hi-Shok JHP Ammo
  15.82"
0.35" 841
50rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE Tactical 129gr. Hydra-Shok JHP Ammo 50rds – 38 Special +P Federal LE Tactical 129gr. Hydra-Shok JHP Ammo
  16.44"
0.4" 878
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