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38 Special Ammo

A revolver chambered in .38 Special is a versatile American classic. Palmetto State Armory has a wide selection of .38 Special ammunition for your concealed carry snubnose, duty revolver, or home defense handgun. Shop brands like Fiocchi, Hornady, Winchester, Magtech, and much more.

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  1. AAC 38 Special Ammo 125gr XTP Hollow Point 50rd Box

    AAC 38 Special Ammo 125gr XTP Hollow Point 50rd Box

    Rating:
    96%
    (9)
    $25.99 $0.52
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  2. DoubleTap Controlled Expansion .38 Special Ammunition, 20 Rounds JHP 110Gr - 38SP110CE

    DoubleTap Controlled Expansion .38 Special Ammunition, 20 Rounds JHP 110Gr - 38SP110CE

    Regular Price $29.99 Special Price $26.19 $1.31
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  3. DoubleTap Colt Defense .38 Special Ammunition, 20 Rounds Hollow Point 110Gr - 38SP110CT

    DoubleTap Colt Defense .38 Special Ammunition, 20 Rounds Hollow Point 110Gr - 38SP110CT

    Regular Price $27.99 Special Price $25.09 $1.25
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  4. Federal Train & Protect .38 Special Ammunition, 50 Rounds VHP 158Gr - TP38VHP1

    Federal Train & Protect .38 Special Ammunition, 50 Rounds VHP 158Gr - TP38VHP1

    Rating:
    100%
    (2)
    $33.99 $0.68
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  5. Federal Premium .38 Special Ammunition, 20 Rounds JHP 130Gr - P38HSD1

    Federal Premium .38 Special Ammunition, 20 Rounds JHP 130Gr - P38HSD1

    Rating:
    100%
    (1)
    $32.99 $1.65
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  6. Remington UMC 38 Spl 130 gr FMJ Ammo, 300/Box - 23669

    Remington UMC 38 Spl 130 gr FMJ Ammo, 300/Box - 23669

    Rating:
    95%
    (8)
    Regular Price $196.99 Special Price $176.99 $0.59
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  7. PMC Bronze .38SPL FMJ 132gr, 300rd Battle Pack - 38G-BP

    PMC Bronze .38SPL FMJ 132gr, 300rd Battle Pack - 38G-BP

    Rating:
    100%
    (16)
    Regular Price $177.99 Special Price $160.99 $0.54
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  8. CorBon Pow'rBall 38 Super Auto +P Ammo 100 Grain Polymer-Tipped, 20 rds/box - PB38X100

    CorBon Pow'rBall 38 Super Auto +P Ammo 100 Grain Polymer-Tipped, 20 rds/box - PB38X100

    Regular Price $25.99 Special Price $22.99 $1.15
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  9. CorBon Self Defense 38 Super Ammo 125 Grain JHP +P, 20 rds/box - 38X12520

    CorBon Self Defense 38 Super Ammo 125 Grain JHP +P, 20 rds/box - 38X12520

    Rating:
    100%
    (2)
    Regular Price $19.99 Special Price $17.99 $0.90
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  10. CorBon Self Defense 38 Super Ammo 115 Grain JHP +P, 20 rds/box - 38X11520

    CorBon Self Defense 38 Super Ammo 115 Grain JHP +P, 20 rds/box - 38X11520

    Regular Price $19.99 Special Price $17.99 $0.90
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  11. Norma Target 158 gr FMJ .38 Special Ammunition 50 Rounds

    Norma Target 158 gr FMJ .38 Special Ammunition 50 Rounds - 620540050

    Rating:
    100%
    (8)
    Regular Price $38.99 Special Price $34.69 $0.69
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  12. Prvi Partizan Handgun 158 gr SW .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - PPH38SS

    Prvi Partizan Handgun 158 gr SW .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - PPH38SS

    Rating:
    100%
    (1)
    Regular Price $28.99 Special Price $25.99 $0.52
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  13. Remington HTP 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S10A

    Remington HTP 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S10A

    Rating:
    100%
    (1)
    $17.99 $0.90
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  14. Remington HTP 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S16A

    Remington HTP 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S16A

    $22.99 $1.15
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  15. Remington HTP 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S21A

    Remington HTP 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S21A

    Rating:
    100%
    (2)
    $17.99 $0.90
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  16. Remington UMC 125 gr Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 100/box - L38S2B

    Remington UMC 125 gr Jacketed Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 100/box - L38S2B

    Rating:
    93%
    (3)
    $63.99 $0.64
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  17. Winchester Ammunition Super-X 125 gr WinClean (Brass Enclosed Base) .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - WC381

    Winchester Ammunition Super-X 125 gr WinClean (Brass Enclosed Base) .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - WC381

    $44.99 $0.90
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  18. Winchester Ammunition Super-X 148 gr Lead Wad Cutter .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - X38SMRP

    Winchester Ammunition Super-X 148 gr Lead Wad Cutter .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - X38SMRP

    Regular Price $60.99 Special Price $54.19 $1.08
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  19. DoubleTap Ammunition DT Defense 148 gr Match Grade Full Wad Cutter Hard Cast .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - 38SP148T50

    DoubleTap Ammunition DT Defense 148 gr Match Grade Full Wad Cutter Hard Cast .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - 38SP148T50

    Rating:
    100%
    (3)
    Regular Price $33.99 Special Price $30.19 $0.60
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  20. Remington HTP 158 gr Lead Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S12A

    Remington HTP 158 gr Lead Hollow Point .38 Spl +P Ammo, 20/box - RTP38S12A

    Rating:
    96%
    (9)
    Regular Price $21.99 Special Price $19.09 $0.95
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  21. Remington Performance WheelGun 158 gr Lead Semi Wad Cutter .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - RPW38S6

    Remington Performance WheelGun 158 gr Lead Semi Wad Cutter .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - RPW38S6

    Rating:
    100%
    (1)
    $37.99 $0.76
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  22. Remington Performance WheelGun 158 gr Lead Round Nose .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - RPW38S5

    Remington Performance WheelGun 158 gr Lead Round Nose .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - RPW38S5

    $37.99 $0.76
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  23. Remington UMC 130 gr Full Metal Jacket .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - L38S11

    Remington UMC 130 gr Full Metal Jacket .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - L38S11

    Rating:
    80%
    (5)
    Regular Price $34.99 Special Price $30.89 $0.62
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  24. Federal Gold Medal 148 gr Lead Wad Cutter .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - GM38A

    Federal Gold Medal 148 gr Lead Wad Cutter .38 Spl Ammo, 50/box - GM38A

    $41.99 $0.84
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Learn More about .38 Special Ammo

History of .38 Special Ammo

The .38 Special has been a trusted cartridge since its debut in 1898 when Smith & Wesson designed it for their Military and police revolvers. Initially, the round was intended to improve upon the .38 Long Colt, which had proven underpowered in combat. With its larger casing, the .38 Special offered better velocity and stopping power, quickly establishing itself in law enforcement and military applications.After being widely adopted by police forces in the early 1900s, the .38 Special became the standard issue for officers across the United States and held this position for several decades. Despite advances in ammunition technology, it remains popular among revolver enthusiasts, target shooters, and concealed carriers, thanks to its long-standing reputation and reliability.

Practical Application

The .38 Special’s versatility extends to various applications, from self-defense to target shooting and even small-game hunting. With a manageable recoil and moderate power, it’s a popular choice for new and experienced shooters. The .38 Special performs reliably in defensive situations, especially in smaller, lightweight snub-nose revolvers. These compact firearms are easy to carry and conceal, making them a go-to for many self-defense scenarios.The .38 Special is also a solid performer in the range and competition worlds. Its balanced power allows for quick follow-up shots and accuracy while minimizing recoil fatigue, an essential aspect for anyone training with high round counts or participating in competitive shooting. For hunters, the .38 Special can also work effectively with smaller game, though its range and power are better suited to closer distances.

.38 Special vs. .357 Magnum

One of the most common comparisons is between the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum, developed directly from the .38 Special case. While they look similar, the .357 Magnum is a much higher-pressure round, delivering more speed and energy upon impact. This added power makes the .357 Magnum ideal for situations that require deeper penetration and stopping power, like hunting or self-defense against more significant threats.The .38 Special, however, stands out for its lighter recoil, making it a friendlier choice for extended shooting sessions or shooters who prefer a gentler experience. Additionally, many .357 Magnum revolvers are designed to chamber and fire .38 Special rounds, providing flexibility for those who want to alternate between a lighter and more powerful load. This interchangeability allows shooters to practice with the .38 Special at a lower cost while saving the more intense .357 rounds for specific purposes.

Accuracy

Accuracy is one of the .38 Special’s strengths, especially in the right hands and paired with a quality firearm. The cartridge’s moderate recoil makes it easier to control, promoting better shooting form and more consistent groupings. At standard self-defense distances of around 7 to 25 yards, the .38 Special has proven to be highly effective and precise. Even at longer ranges, experienced shooters can achieve impressive accuracy with a steady hand.Because the round produces a smooth and predictable recoil, shooters often find it easier to maintain their sight picture and deliver follow-up shots accurately. Target shooters particularly appreciate the .38 Special’s stable, consistent trajectory, which contributes to better accuracy over short to medium ranges. While it may not have the long-range power of larger calibers, the .38 Special is exceptionally accurate in its intended range and applications.

Affordability

Compared to other centerfire cartridges, the .38 Special is moderately priced, making it an economical choice for those who shoot regularly. Though it’s generally more expensive than popular semi-automatic rounds like 9mm, it remains more affordable than many larger or more specialized revolver rounds, such as the .357 Magnum or .44 Special. This cost-effectiveness is one reason why the .38 Special is a popular choice among recreational shooters, self-defense users, and those who spend a lot of time at the range.Reloading enthusiasts also appreciate the .38 Special for its affordability and flexibility. Brass cases can be reloaded multiple times, and the low-pressure design reduces wear on the casings, extending their lifespan and helping save on overall costs. Reloaders can adjust bullet weights and powder charges to create custom rounds suited to specific needs, from light target loads to defensive rounds. For those on a budget or who simply prefer revolvers, the .38 Special is a cost-effective way to shoot without compromising quality or performance.

Why Buy .38 Special Ammo from Palmetto State Armory?

Customers should buy .38 Special ammo from Palmetto State Armory for its unbeatable combination of quality, selection, and value. Offering a wide variety of trusted brands and types, PSA ensures you'll find the right ammunition for target practice, self-defense, or competition shooting. With competitive pricing and a reputation for exceptional customer service, PSA is the go-to destination for reliable .38 Special ammo.