Bulk 38 Special Ammo
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38 Special – 129 gr. JHP +P – Federal Hydra-Shok (P38HS1) – 500 Rounds
$599.00$1.20 per round Add to cart -
38 Special +P – 100 gr HoneyBadger – Black Hills (D38N4) – 500 Rounds
$862.00$1.72 per round Add to cart
Overview of .38 Special Ammo
Introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898, .38 Special is one of the most successful revolver cartridges ever made. It fires a .357-inch bullet, usually 110 to 158 grains, and runs in J-frame snubbies, full-size service revolvers, and lever-action carbines. Mild recoil makes it a favorite for new shooters and target work, while modern JHP and +P loads keep it a credible concealed carry and home defense round.
Every .357 Magnum revolver also fires .38 Special, which makes it the cheaper, softer-shooting practice round for magnum owners. If you want more power from the same gun, see our .357 Magnum ammo.
.38 Special Brands We Carry
- Federal .38 Special Ammo: American Eagle 130gr FMJ and 158gr LRN in 250 and 1,000-round cases for range and cowboy action shooting.
- Speer .38 Special Ammo: Gold Dot JHP in standard and +P for carry, plus Lawman TMJ and Clean-Fire training loads.
- PMC .38 Special Ammo: Bronze 132gr FMJ in 250 and 1,000-round cases and 900-round Battle Packs.
- Magtech .38 Special Ammo: 125gr FMJ flat nose, 130gr FMJ, and 158gr LRN in 1,000-round cases.
- PPU .38 Special Ammo: FMJ, LRN, and semi-wadcutter hollow point loads at value prices.
- Black Hills .38 Special Ammo: 148gr hollow base wadcutters for bullseye and target shooting.
- Sellier & Bellot .38 Special Ammo: 148gr wadcutters, 158gr LRN, FMJ, and soft point in 1,000-round cases.
- Remington .38 Special Ammo: 130gr FMJ and 158gr LRN in 500-round cases.
- Blazer .38 Special Ammo: Blazer Brass 125gr FMJ, a reloadable brass-case range load.
Best .38 Special Ammo for Specific Uses
| Use Case | Top Pick | Also Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Range / High-Volume Training | PMC Bronze 132gr FMJ, 1,000 Rounds | Federal American Eagle 130gr FMJ, Magtech 125gr FMJ FN |
| Concealed Carry / Snub Nose | Speer Gold Dot +P 125gr JHP | Speer Gold Dot 125gr JHP, Federal HST Micro 130gr +P |
| Cowboy Action / Classic Revolvers | Federal American Eagle 158gr LRN | Magtech 158gr LRN, PPU 158gr LRN |
| Bullseye / Target | Black Hills 148gr HBWC | Sellier & Bellot 148gr Wadcutter |
| Indoor Range / Low Lead | Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 158gr TMJ | Speer Lawman 125gr TMJ-FN |
Why Buy .38 Special Ammo from BulkMunitions?
- In stock and ready to ship. We only list ammunition that is physically in our warehouse. No backorders.
- Next-business-day shipping from our Knoxville, TN warehouse on orders placed before our daily cutoff.
- Bulk pricing on top brands. 1,000-round cases from PMC, Federal, Magtech, and Speer bring your cost per round well below retail boxes.
- We tithe 10% of profits to Christian-based, 2A-supporting organizations every quarter, and our customers vote on where it goes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum revolver?
Yes. Every revolver chambered in .357 Magnum safely fires .38 Special, since .357 Magnum is a lengthened, higher-pressure version of the same cartridge. It does not work the other way: never fire .357 Magnum in a revolver chambered only for .38 Special.
What is the difference between .38 Special and .38 Special +P?
.38 Special +P is loaded to higher pressure, adding roughly 10 to 15 percent more velocity and better expansion from defensive hollow points. Not every revolver is rated for +P. Check your revolver's markings or manual, and use standard pressure loads in vintage or lightweight alloy-frame guns.
What is the best .38 Special ammo for a snub nose revolver?
Speer Gold Dot was designed with short barrels in mind and is one of the most trusted carry loads for J-frame revolvers. Use the +P version if your revolver is rated for it, or the standard pressure version for lightweight frames and easier recoil. Practice with an FMJ or LRN load of similar weight.
More About .38 Special Ammo
Smith & Wesson developed .38 Special in 1898 as an improvement on the .38 Long Colt, and it went on to become the standard American police cartridge for most of the 20th century. From the 1930s into the 1980s, most U.S. officers carried a .38 Special revolver, often a Smith & Wesson K-frame loaded with 158gr lead round nose or semi-wadcutter bullets.
Police departments moved to semi-automatic pistols in the late 1980s and 1990s, but .38 Special stayed popular with civilians. Lightweight J-frame revolvers and better hollow point designs gave it a second life as a pocket carry cartridge, and wadcutter loads keep it a staple of bullseye competition.
Remember that compatibility runs one direction only. All .357 Magnum revolvers fire .38 Special, but no .38 Special-only revolver should ever fire .357 Magnum. If you think you might want magnum power someday, a .357 Magnum revolver gives you both.
Related reading: 38 Special vs 9mm: A Battle of Two Great Calibers, Snub Nose Revolvers: Compact Defense and Sport Powerhouse