38 S&W Ammo
Shop 38 S&W ammunition with next-business-day shipping. PPU 145gr lead round nose in 1,000-round cases for vintage Smith & Wesson, Webley, and Enfield revolvers chambered in 38 S&W. Read more about 38 S&W ammo.
Overview of 38 S&W Ammo
38 S&W is a short, low-pressure revolver cartridge from 1877. It fires a .361-inch lead bullet at modest velocity, which makes it a soft-shooting round for vintage revolvers and collectors.
38 S&W is not the same as 38 Special. The case is shorter and wider, and the bullet is slightly larger, so the two are not interchangeable. If your revolver is marked 38 Special, shop our 38 Special ammo instead.
38 S&W Brands We Carry
- PPU 38 S&W Ammo: 145gr lead round nose with brass cases, in 1,000-round cases.
Best 38 S&W Ammo for Specific Uses
| Use Case | Top Pick | Also Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Range Shooting / Vintage Revolvers | PPU 145gr LRN, 1,000 Rounds | None in stock |
| Webley / Enfield Revolvers | PPU 145gr LRN, 1,000 Rounds | None in stock |
Why Buy 38 S&W 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.
- Case pricing for collectors and shooters. Buying by the case keeps your cost per round down and gives you consistent, same-lot ammunition for a gun you shoot often.
- 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 38 S&W revolver?
No. 38 Special is longer and narrower than 38 S&W, and it will not chamber in a 38 S&W cylinder. Never force it. Use only 38 S&W ammunition in revolvers marked 38 S&W.
Is 38 S&W the same as 380 ACP or 38/200?
38 S&W is not 380 ACP, which is a rimless pistol cartridge. The British 38/200 is a military loading of 38 S&W, so 38 S&W ammunition fits revolvers chambered for 380 Revolver or 38/200.
What revolvers use 38 S&W?
Common examples include older Smith & Wesson and Colt pocket revolvers, plus British Webley and Enfield service revolvers chambered for 38/200. Have a gunsmith check any antique revolver before shooting it. PPU 145gr LRN is a standard-pressure load.
More About 38 S&W Ammo
Smith & Wesson introduced 38 S&W in 1877 for its .38 Single Action revolver. It became one of the most common pocket revolver cartridges of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Britain adopted a military version, the 38/200, which was the standard British service revolver cartridge from 1922 to 1963. Webley, Enfield, and Smith & Wesson revolvers chambered for it served through World War II, and many are now in collectors' hands, which keeps 38 S&W ammunition in demand.
Related reading: 38 Special vs 9mm: A Battle of Two Great Calibers