Lindcott Armory Revolver · SAAMI
.38 Special
Classic revolver cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.357″ · 9.068 mm
- Introduced
- 1898
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .38 Long Colt
- Primary use
- Self Defense, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1898
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 18.7 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 17,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Recoil
- 6–10 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — CBC LRN 158 gr, 855 fps, BC 0.178 G1 · 25 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 855 | 256 | -0.9″ | — |
| 25 yd | 838 | 246 | +0.1″ | 0.2 |
| 50 yd | 821 | 236 | -2.1″ | -4.0 |
| 75 yd | 805 | 227 | -7.5″ | -9.5 |
| 100 yd | 790 | 219 | -16.2″ | -15.4 |
| 125 yd | 775 | 211 | -28.4″ | -21.7 |
| 150 yd | 760 | 203 | -44.3″ | -28.2 |
| 175 yd | 746 | 195 | -63.8″ | -34.8 |
| 200 yd | 733 | 188 | -87.4″ | -41.7 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open .38 Special ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Terminal ballistics
98 FBI-protocol gel tests on record (Steel, Bare Gelatin, Heavy Clothing, Denim, Wallboard, Plywood) — 68 passed the 12–18″ penetration window.
- Median penetration
- 14.4″ (bare gel)
- Median expansion
- 0.610″
- Protocol pass rate
- 68/98
Published FBI-protocol results (bare gel + barriers), not Lindcott testing. Pass = 12–18″ penetration with reliable expansion.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.07 | 0.357 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.18 | 0.440 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.47 | 0.058 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 29.34 | 1.155 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 39.37 | 1.550 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .38 Special is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 601 active loads across 70 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 638 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Personal Defense Punch JHP | 120 | Punch JHP | 1,050 | 294 | 0.146 G1 |
| Federal | Punch JHP 120gr +P | 120 | Punch JHP | 1,050 | 294 | 0.146 G1 |
| Magtech | +P JHP | 125 | JHP | 1,017 | 287 | 0.143 G1 |
| Hornady | Critical Defense FTX | 110 | FTX HP | 1,010 | 249 | 0.143 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok Deep 110gr JHP +P | 110 | Hydra-Shok Deep | 1,000 | 244 | 0.143 G1 |
| Federal | Punch | 130 | +P JHP | 1,000 | 289 | 0.146 G1 |
| Federal | HST 130gr JHP +P | 130 | HST | 975 | 274 | 0.146 G1 |
| Aguila | Super Extra | 125 | JHP | 975 | 264 | 0.143 G1 |
| Magtech | SJHP | 125 | SJHP | 975 | 264 | 0.143 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok | 129 | Hydra-Shok JHP | 975 | 272 | 0.146 G1 |
| Aguila | Target LRN | 130 | LRN | 950 | 260 | 0.146 G1 |
| Federal | Champion | 130 | FMJ | 950 | 260 | 0.146 G1 |
| Federal | Punch | 130 | JHP | 950 | 260 | 0.146 G1 |
| Magtech | Sport LRN | 130 | LRN | 950 | 260 | 0.146 G1 |
| Hornady | American Gunner XTP HP | 125 | XTP JHP | 950 | 250 | 0.143 G1 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
45 reloading powders listed for .38 Special, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .38 Special
12 models in the database chamber .38 Special. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced in 1898 by S&W as improvement over .38 Long Colt. Standard police cartridge from 1920s-1990s. Replaced by 9mm and .40 S&W autos.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38 Special use?
- .38 Special typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38 Special?
- .38 Special uses a 0.357″ (9.068 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38 Special still in production?
- .38 Special is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is .38 Special used for?
- .38 Special is primarily used for self defense, target.
- What is .38 Special based on?
- .38 Special is derived from the .38 Long Colt case.
- What are the best powders for .38 Special?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Special include No. 1, BA10, CSB1, No. 2, among 45 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 601 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured; terminal-ballistics figures are published FBI-protocol results. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →