{"id":4760,"date":"2023-02-03T22:15:11","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T22:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/?p=4760"},"modified":"2023-02-28T17:59:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T17:59:34","slug":"38-special-ammo-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/38-special-ammo-types\/","title":{"rendered":".38 Special Ammo Types"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When selecting rounds for your .38 revolver, there are many different .38 Special ammo types to choose from. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broadly speaking, there are .38 Special rounds for self defense and range training. However, you&#8217;ll find some types of .38 Special fit into both categories. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s take a look at the .38 Special ammo types and what their best uses are.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>What are the .38 Special Ammo Types?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4786 size-full\" title=\"38 special ammo types\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo.jpg\" alt=\"a 38 revolver surrounded by different types of 38 special ammo\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-1024x582.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-768x437.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-1536x873.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-200x114.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-750x426.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sprevolverammo-1140x648.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are many types of .38 Special ammo that serve different purposes. The most common .38 Special ammo types you&#8217;ll find are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Full Metal Jacket<\/li>\n<li>Total Metal Jacket<\/li>\n<li>Wadcutter<\/li>\n<li>Semi-Wadcutter<\/li>\n<li>Lead Round Nose<\/li>\n<li>Jacketed Hollow Point<\/li>\n<li>Soft Point<\/li>\n<li>Frangible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Next we&#8217;ll break down these common types of .38 Special rounds and even more that fall into the same categories.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: range training<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4766 size-full\" title=\"38sp fmj\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj.jpg\" alt=\"four rounds of full metal jacket 38 special rounds\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-1024x560.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-768x420.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-1536x839.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-200x109.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-750x410.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfmj-1140x623.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/full-metal-jacket\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full metal jacket ammo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> consists of a soft core, often lead, which is covered by a casing of hard metal, called the jacket. The jacket is a harder metal that is often copper, but sometimes a steel alloy or a hybrid of different metals. It covers all of the bullet except for the base.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shooters most often use FMJ rounds for high round count shooting like range training and competition. That\u2019s because FMJ ammo is an affordable choice, especially when purchased in bulk. Full metal jacket rounds also have less fouling and more dependable feeding thanks to its jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full metal jacket rounds are not a great choice for self defense. That\u2019s because the jacket prohibits the bullet from expanding, which is an important feature of a defensive round in order to stop a threat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular .38 Special FMJ rounds include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/federal-american-eagle-38-special-ammunition-1000-rounds-of-130-grain-fmj.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal American Eagle .38 Special 130gr. FMJ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/fiocchi-38-special-ammunition-1000-rounds-of-130-grain-fmj.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fiocchi .38 Special 130gr. FMJ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>There are different types of FMJ rounds available, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Truncated Cone &#8211; cone-shaped nose with the top cut off to create a flat-tipped end<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flat Nose &#8211; also known as meplat, bullet has a flat top<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boat Tail &#8211; sides taper inward towards the base<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total Metal Jacket (TMJ)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: range training<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A total metal jacket round has a bullet that is fully encapsulated by a jacket. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/tmj-ammo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total metal jacket rounds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> differ from a FMJ round in that the TMJ round has a copper jacket that fully encloses the entire bullet, including the lead base. It is also known as FMJ-FEB where \u201cFEB\u201d is short for \u201cfully enclosed base.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The major advantage of TMJ bullets is that, because the lead projectile is completely enclosed by the jacket, you are exposed to less vaporized lead in the air. This makes them safer for use on indoor ranges than FMJ rounds. This also makes them even cleaner to use in your gun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like the FMJ rounds, TMJ ammo is not the ideal choice for self defense, but is a great choice for high round count shooting. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/speer-lawman-38-special-ammunition-1000-rounds-of-158-grain-tmj.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speer Lawman .38 Special 158gr. TMJ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a solid choice to shoot through your revolver, especially if shooting indoors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wadcutter (WC)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: range training, self defense<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4772 size-full\" title=\"38 special wadcutter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter.jpg\" alt=\"a box and three rounds of fiocchi 38 special wadcutter\" width=\"2000\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-1024x471.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-768x353.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-1536x707.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-200x92.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-750x345.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spwadcutter-1140x524.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/what-is-a-wadcutter\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wadcutter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a pistol round that has a bullet with a completely flat face. The flat nose of the projectile sits flush with the case mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wadcutter rounds are great for target shooting because they put clean, easy to score holes in paper targets. They also have applications as a defensive round when paired up with small guns like .38 Special J-frames. That\u2019s because out of small J-frame revolver, wadcutters like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/38spl-federal-gold-medal-match-148gr-wc-1000.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Gold Medal Match 148gr. WC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> perform better than hollow point bullets.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-Wadcutter (SWC)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-Wadcutter\u00a0 rounds are related to the WC rounds, but with some notable differences. Semi-wadcutters look like someone put a cone on top of a wadcutter, then cut the tip of the cone off. They were originally designed for target shooting, but popularized as a hunting round thanks to gun writer Elmer Keith.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-wadcutter rounds provide a little more accuracy at longer distances than WC bullets because of their higher velocity and power.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>You may also see them listed as Lead Semi-Wadcutter (LSWC).<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point (SWCHP) or Hollow Point Semi-Wadcutter (HPSWC)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4771 size-full\" title=\"38 special swchp\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp.jpg\" alt=\"a box and three rounds of winchester 38 special semi-wad cutter hollow point\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-300x159.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-1024x544.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-768x408.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-1536x816.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-200x106.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-750x399.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spswchp-1140x606.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The semi-wadcutter hollow point bullet is simply a semi-wadcutter with a hollow point bullet tip. They provide immediate expansion and efficient transfer of energy upon impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hollow Back Wadcutter (HBWC)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4768\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4768\" style=\"width: 1990px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4768 size-full\" title=\"38 special hbwc\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc.jpg\" alt=\"a box and 3 rounds of black hills .38 special hollow back wad cutters\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-300x152.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-1024x518.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-768x389.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-1536x777.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-200x101.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-750x380.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38sphbwc-1140x577.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/black-hills-38-special-ammunition-50-rounds-of-148-grain-hbwc.php\">Black Hills .38 Special Hollow Back Wadcutter<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hollow back wadcutters, also known as hollow base wadcutters, are similar to an upside down hollow point, in that the hollow is at the base of the bullet instead of the tip. The idea behind the hollow base is that it will seal better to the rifling, providing more consistency and accuracy. The HBWC also has a forward center of gravity due to its hollow base, giving it more stability during travel and, theoretically, better accuracy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Double-Ended Wadcutter (DEWC)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both ends of a double-ended wadcutter are the same flat shape.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bevel Base Wadcutter (BBWC)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The base of the bullet is sloped inward to make it easier to place into the casing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lead Round Nose (LRN)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: range training<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4770\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4770\" style=\"width: 1990px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4770 size-full\" title=\"38 special lrn\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn.jpg\" alt=\"a box and three rounds of federal american eagle lead round nose 38 special\" width=\"2000\" height=\"959\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-1024x491.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-768x368.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-1536x737.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-200x96.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-750x360.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38splrn-1140x547.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4770\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/federal-american-eagle-38-special-ammunition-1000-rounds-of-158-grain-lrn.php\">Federal American Eagle .38 Special Lead Round Nose<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/lrn-bullets-lead-round-nose-explained\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lead round nose bullet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a solid lead bullet that tapers to a blunt. Lead round nose bullets are basically full metal jacket bullets but without the jacket. Shooters most often use lead round nose rounds in revolvers and lever-action rifles. Because LRN rounds don\u2019t have a jacket, they don\u2019t function as reliably as FMJ rounds in semi-autos. However, because revolvers and lever-actions don\u2019t use an automatic feeding mechanism, they have no problem with LRN rounds. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lack of a jacket also means LRN rounds can be a more economical choice for range rounds than jacketed rounds. The down-side to having no jacket is that the exposed lead bullet comes in direct contact with the bore, leaving behind residue. It also means that the lead will become aerosolized when shooting, making it a bad choice for indoor shooting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: self defense<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4769 size-full\" title=\"38 special jacketed hollow point\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp.jpg\" alt=\"a box and two roudns of winchester defender 38 special jacketed hollow point rounds\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-1024x608.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-768x456.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-1536x912.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-200x119.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-750x446.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spjhp-1140x677.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/jacketed-hollow-point\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">jacketed hollow point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> bullet has a hollowed out center tip and a full-length, hard metal jacket. Designed for self defense, the hollow point tip provides expansion upon penetration, creating a wider wound channel. However, out of small J-frame revolvers, most hollow point bullets either don\u2019t expand or don\u2019t penetrate deep enough. So, if you&#8217;re looking for a self defense round for your smaller revolver, you may consider a wadcutter instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: self defense<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a semi-jacketed hollow point, the lead core of the bullet extends past the jacket. Leaving the lead tip exposed aids in bullet expansion. These are a popular revolver round as the lack of a full jacket hinders reliability in semi-autos.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hollow Point (HP)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em>Use type: self defense<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hollow point bullet is like the jacketed hollow point, just without the hard metal jacket. The jacket provides reliability in semi-autos and decreases lead residue in the barrel. While the feeding issue might not matter in your .38 revolver, the lack of a jacket may require you to clean your gun more often.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft Point (SP)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: range training, self defense<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4775\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4775\" style=\"width: 2150px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4775 size-full\" title=\"soft point bullet\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1.jpg\" alt=\"an expanded soft point bullet after being fired into ballistic gel\" width=\"2160\" height=\"1310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1.jpg 2160w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-1024x621.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-1536x932.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-2048x1242.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-200x121.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-750x455.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/softpointbullet-1-1140x691.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4775\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A soft point bullet after being fired into ballistic gel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/soft-point-bullets\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soft point bullet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is nearly completely jacketed, but with an exposed lead nose. The lack of jacket on the nose allows for increased expansion upon penetration and tumbles to create a deep wound channel. The partial jacket reduces bore fouling and prevents deformation during ignition. The SP bullet is a popular choice to use in revolvers and semi-auto rifles for hunting and self defense purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frangible<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em>Use type: range training, self defense<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4767 size-full\" title=\"sinterfire frangible 38special\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible.jpg\" alt=\"a box and two rounds of sinterfire frangible self defense 38 special ammo\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-750x422.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spfrangible-1140x642.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most simply put, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/frangible-ammo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">frangible ammo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> uses a projectile that shatters or disintegrates upon impact with a hard surface. The purpose is to reduce penetration through immediate barriers like walls. There are two broad types of frangible rounds: frangible training ammo and frangible defensive round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The primary advantage of frangible ammo is that they won\u2019t produce splash back on steel targets like FMJ rounds will. This facilitates safer training in confined environments and when shooting steel at closer distances.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other .38 Special Ammo Types<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4778 size-full\" title=\"38 special self defense ammo\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes.jpg\" alt=\"a box of hornady and a box of federal hst 38 special ammo\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-1024x522.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-768x391.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-1536x783.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-200x102.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-750x382.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/38spboxes-1140x581.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above we\u2019ve covered the primary .38 Special ammo types. You may also find manufacturers have their own branded bullet name or design, usually pulling from the common types we\u2019ve covered. For example, in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/hornady-custom-38-special-ammunition-25-rounds-of-158-grain-xtp.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hornady Custom .38 Special<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Hornady uses the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hornady.com\/bullets\/xtp#!\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">XTP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> bullet which is a jacketed hollow point designed to deliver strong terminal performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, when shopping for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/38-spc-ammo.php\">.38 Special ammo for sale<\/a>, you want a round that is designed for your intended purpose and practice with that ammo to ensure it runs soundly through your revolver.<\/p>\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction\">\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction--text b-share-calltoaction-text\">\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction-text__header\">\n<h2>Share this article with your friends!<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<ul class=\"b-social-icons clearfix\">\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/38-special-ammo-types\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon facebook\">&nbsp;Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/home?status=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/38-special-ammo-types\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon twitter\">&nbsp;Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/38-special-ammo-types\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon linkedin\">&nbsp;LinkedIn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/38-special-ammo-types\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon pinterest\">&nbsp;Pinterest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When selecting rounds for your .38 revolver, there are many different .38 Special ammo types to choose from. Broadly speaking,&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item-meta\"><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/clock.svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" alt=\"\"><time class=\"published\" datetime=\"2023-02-03T22:15:11+00:00\">Feb. 03, 2023<\/time><\/span><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/comment.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\">No comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/38-special-ammo-types\/\"><span>Read more <\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/chevron-right.svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4785,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4760","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-range-training","category-self-defense"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4760"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4836,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4760\/revisions\/4836"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4785"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}