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 43

  1. 50rds - 38 Spec Remington UMC 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo 50rds - 38 Spec Remington UMC 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo
    $28.95
    $0.58/ppr

    36 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Round Nose (LRN)
    Muzzle Energy
    200
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  2. 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJHP Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. SJHP Ammo
    $29.95
    $0.6/ppr

    30 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
  3. 50rds – 38 Special +P Magtech 158gr. SJHP Ammo 50rds – 38 Special +P Magtech 158gr. SJHP Ammo
    $29.95
    $0.6/ppr

    35 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Semi-Jacketed Hollow-Point (SJHP)
    Muzzle Energy
    275
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    886
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  4. 50rds – 38 Special Remington Performance WheelGun 158gr. LRN Ammo 50rds – 38 Special Remington Performance WheelGun 158gr. LRN Ammo
    $34.95
    $0.7/ppr

    1 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Round Nose (LRN)
    Muzzle Energy
    158
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    755
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
  5. 50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot 125gr. GDHP Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot 125gr. GDHP Ammo
    $39.95
    $0.8/ppr

    87 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Jacketed Hollow-Point (JHP)
    Muzzle Energy
    208
    Casing Type
    Nickel-Plated Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    865
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
  6. 50rds – 38 Special +P Speer LE Gold Dot 125gr. JHP Ammo 50rds – 38 Special +P Speer LE Gold Dot 125gr. JHP Ammo
    $39.95
    $0.8/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 4 Reviews

    108 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 4 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Hollow Point
    Muzzle Energy
    248
    Casing Type
    Nickel-Plated Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    945
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
  7. 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills Cowboy Loads 158gr. CNL Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills Cowboy Loads 158gr. CNL Ammo
    $43.95
    $0.88/ppr

    57 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Flat Nose
    Muzzle Energy
    225
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    800
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  8. 250rds – 38 Special Hornady American Gunner 125gr. XTP Ammo 250rds – 38 Special Hornady American Gunner 125gr. XTP Ammo
    $229.95
    $0.92/ppr

    2 In Stock

    Bullet type
    XTP
    Muzzle Energy
    225
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    900
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
  9. 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 148gr. Hollow Base Wadcutter Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 148gr. Hollow Base Wadcutter Ammo
    $47.95
    $0.96/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 Reviews

    24 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Hollow Back Wadcutter (HBWC)
    Muzzle Energy
    161
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    700
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    148 Grain
  10. 500rds – 38 Special Winchester Super-X 148gr. Wadcutter Ammo 500rds – 38 Special Winchester Super-X 148gr. Wadcutter Ammo
    $479.95
    $0.96/ppr

    5 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Lead Wadcutter
    Muzzle Energy
    166
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    710
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    148 Grain
  11. 50rds - 38 Special Winchester 148gr. SUPER MATCH Wadcutter Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Winchester 148gr.  SUPER MATCH Wadcutter Ammo
    $49.95
    $1/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Reviews

    100 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Lead Wadcutter
    Muzzle Energy
    166
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    710
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    148 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  12. 20rds – 38 Special +P Underwood 125gr. XTP Ammo 20rds – 38 Special +P Underwood 125gr. XTP Ammo
    $21.95
    $1.1/ppr

    47 In Stock

    Bullet type
    XTP
    Muzzle Energy
    434
    Casing Type
    Nickel-Plated Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1250
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
  13. 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo
    $54.95
    $1.1/ppr

    9 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Jacketed Hollow-Point (JHP)
    Muzzle Energy
    306
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1050
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    125 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  14. 20rds – 38 Special +P Corbon 100gr. Pow’RBall Ammo 20rds – 38 Special +P Corbon 100gr. Pow’RBall Ammo
    $22.95
    $1.15/ppr

    39 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Pow'RBall
    Muzzle Energy
    294
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1150
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    100 Grain
  15. 250rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
    $289.95
    $1.16/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    5 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review

    Bullet type
    Flex Tip (FTX)
    Muzzle Energy
    290
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1090
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    110 Grain
  16. 250rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo
    $289.95
    $1.16/ppr

    2 In Stock

    Bullet type
    XTP
    Muzzle Energy
    199
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    800
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  17. 25rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo 25rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo
    $29.95
    $1.2/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Reviews

    4 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 3 Reviews

    Bullet type
    XTP
    Muzzle Energy
    199
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    800
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    158 Grain
    Ballistic Data Available
  18. 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
    $299.95
    $1.2/ppr

    7 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Flex Tip (FTX)
    Muzzle Energy
    249
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1010
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    110 Grain
  19. 25rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 25rds – 38 Special +P Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
    $30.95
    $1.24/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Reviews

    164 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Flex Tip (FTX)
    Muzzle Energy
    290
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1090
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    110 Grain
  20. 25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
    $31.95
    $1.28/ppr

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Reviews

    108 In Stock

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 2 Reviews

    Bullet type
    Flex Tip (FTX)
    Muzzle Energy
    249
    Casing Type
    Brass
    Muzzle Velocity
    1010
    Primer Type
    Boxer
    Bullet Weight
    110 Grain

21 - 40 of 43

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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