What twist rate does .38 Super use?

.38 Super typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .38 Super?

.38 Super uses a 0.3559″ (9.04 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .38 Super still in production?

.38 Super is active; typical availability is common.

What is .38 Super used for?

.38 Super is primarily used for competition, self-defense.

What is .38 Super based on?

.38 Super is derived from the .38 ACP case.

What are the best powders for .38 Super?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Super include N330, RS24, CFE Pistol, WSF, among 21 suitable options.

Pistol · SAAMI

.38 Super

.38 Super Auto.38 Super +P.38 Super Auto +P

Hot-loaded 1911 cartridge beloved in IPSC/USPSA competition.

Caliber: 0.3559″ · 9.04 mm
Introduced: 1929
Case: Semi-Rimmed
Parent: .38 ACP
Primary use: Competition, Self-Defense
Status: Active

Velocity1,200–1,400 fps

Energy385–500 ft·lb

Typical grains115 · 125 · 130 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1929
Type: Pistol
Origin: United States
Inventor: Colt
Manufacturer: Colt
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 10.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:16
Primer: Small Pistol
Case type: Semi-Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 36,500 psi
Eff. range: 50 yd
Max range: 200 yd
Recoil: 3–5 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 1,100–1,450 fps · 54 loads
Parent case: .38 ACP

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for DefenseUnderwood Xtreme Defender90 gr · Lehigh XD · 1,500 fpsBuy now →

Best for TargetCor-Bon Pow RBall115 gr · JHP · 1,465 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .38 Super ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	9.04	0.356	✓
Neck ⌀	9.75	0.384	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	9.75	0.384	✓
Rim ⌀	10.31	0.406	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.27	0.050	✓
Neck length	n/a
Case length	22.86	0.900	✓
Overall length	32.51	1.280	✓

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 Super is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 54 active loads across 24 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 54 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Underwood	Xtreme Defender	90	Lehigh XD	1,500	450	—
Cor-Bon	Pow RBall	115	JHP	1,465	548	—
DoubleTap	DT Defense	115	SCHP	1,450	537	—
Cor-Bon	JHP	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,450	537	—
Atomic Ammunition	JHP +P	115	JHP	1,400	500	—
CorBon	JHP +P	125	JHP	1,350	506	—
DoubleTap	Controlled Exp	125	JHP	1,350	506	—
Doubletap	DT Defense	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—
HSM Ammunition	Self Defense	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—
Cor-Bon	DPX	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—
Wolf	FMJ	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—
CorBon	DPX	115	Barnes XPB	1,350	465	—
Sellier & Bellot	JHP	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—
Black Hills	Match	115	Jacketed Hollow Point	1,350	465	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

21 reloading powders listed for .38 Super, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

N330 RS24 CFE Pistol WSF Universal HP-38 CSP1 540 Herco S123 Power Pro 300-MP AutoComp D036.3 Silhouette Shooters World Major Pistol HS-6 No. 7 BE-86 Vihtavuori 3N37 Vihtavuori 3N38

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .38 Super

12 models in the database chamber .38 Super. Browse all →

Springfield Armory MC Operator 1911 .45 ACP 5-inchWilson Combat EDC X9 .38 SuperWilson Combat ACPAtlas Gunworks Chaos 9mm OpenAtlas Gunworks Athena 9mm 5-inchColt Combat Elite .38 SuperDan Wesson Firearms Mayhem 9mm 6-inchBul Armory SAS II Ultralight 9mm 5-inchTanfoglio DominaGirsan MC1911 SRock Island Armory MAPP .38 SuperStaccato STI DVC Open 9mm 5-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

.38 ACP

Family TreeOpen .38 Super in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads54 factory loads for .38 Super↗Reloading21 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .38 Super↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced by Colt in 1929 as an upgrade to the .38 ACP. Achieved notoriety when gangsters favored it for penetrating car bodies. Now a staple of competitive shooting, particularly in Mexico where citizens cannot own military calibers.

FAQs

What twist rate does .38 Super use?: .38 Super typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .38 Super?: .38 Super uses a 0.3559″ (9.04 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .38 Super still in production?: .38 Super is active; typical availability is common.
What is .38 Super used for?: .38 Super is primarily used for competition, self-defense.
What is .38 Super based on?: .38 Super is derived from the .38 ACP case.
What are the best powders for .38 Super?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Super include N330, RS24, CFE Pistol, WSF, among 21 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 54 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →