.38 Special
Classic revolver round for police, self-defense and target shooting. Mild recoil; also fires in any .357 Magnum.
Good for: Revolver, Self-defense, Target
A typical factory load is a 158 gr lead round nose bullet at about 800 ft/s, with roughly 225 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Typical load
158 grlead round nose · 4" barrelMuzzle speed
800 ft/sMuzzle energy
225 ft-lbsTypical BC (G1)
≈ 0.15typical, varies by brandTwist rate
1:18.75Practical range
25 ydPoint-blank range
81 yd6" vital zoneRecommended platform
Any steel-frame revolverMild; stout in ultralight snubbiesOn the Handgun Cartridges chart
Made for
Classic revolver round for police, self-defense and target shooting. Mild recoil; also fires in any .357 Magnum.
Typical load
158 grlead round nose · 4" barrel
Typical muzzle fps
800ft/s
Typical muzzle energy
225ft-lbs
Typical BC (G1)
≈ 0.15typical, varies by brand
Twist rate for typical load
1:18.75
Practical range
25 yd
MPBR (iron sights)
81 yd6" vital zone · Near zero 3 yd · Far zero 68 yd · Min PBR 0 yd · Max PBR 81 yd · Sight-in @25 2.68" high
Recommended platform
Any steel-frame revolverMild; stout in ultralight snubbies
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Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.