Bulk .38 S&W Ammo
Uses and History of 38 S&W Ammo
One of the most widely used revolver cartridges, the .38 Special is well balanced for both target shooting and defensive use. Introduced in 1898 to replace the inadequate .38 Long Colt, .38 Special ammo has seen significant military and law enforcement use but is primarily employed in personal defense or target shooting applications today. Although it was initially a black powder cartridge, the .38 Special was converted to smokeless form almost immediately. Overall, the .38 SPL is a well-balanced cartridge that is reasonably powerful, very accurate, and mild-recoiling.[Read More]
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50 Rounds of .38 S&W Ammo by Prvi Partizan - 145gr LRN
$21.00 As low as: $20.0072 Ready to Ship
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50 Rounds of .38 S&W Ammo by Magtech - 146gr LRN
$23.5014 Ready to Ship
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50 Rounds of .38 S&W Ammo by Winchester Super-X - 145gr LRN
$32.50 As low as: $28.0081 Ready to Ship
38 S&W Ammunition Types
Many different types of .38 Special ammo are available. Dedicated target loads firing wadcutter or semi wadcutter bullets are best for shooting paper, as they produce visible, clean holes that can be easily seen from the firing line. A typical target load fires a heavy 158 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of about 700-800 feet per second. More powerful defensive ammunition fires lighter (110-130 grain) jacketed hollow point bullets at muzzle velocities of 850-1,000 feet per second. This higher velocity promotes more reliable expansion to stop a threat quickly in a self-defense emergency.An important subcategory of .38 Special ammo is +P loads, which trade higher recoil and muzzle blast for better terminal ballistics. Such ammo should only be used in revolvers capable of withstanding the added pressures, and with the understanding that +P loads will accelerate general wear and tear on guns.
Revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum are capable of firing .38 Special ammunition safely. Many owners of such firearms use .38 SPL ammo extensively at the range, as it produces lower recoil and costs less than magnum ammo.
Shopping Options
Load up with some of the most popular revolver loads we carry in 38 S&W. Remember, all the ammo we carry ships fast and our friendly customer service team is here to help if you have any questions at all. Just want a little guidance?Here is a look at what serious shooters are stocking up on right now for their next trip to the range:
