The Sellier & Bellot .38 Special 158 Grain SP NONTOX (product code V311802) is factory-manufactured ammunition designed for indoor range shooting, match competition, and close-range pest dispatch. Loaded with a 158 gr (10.25 g) Semi-Jacketed Soft Point (SP) projectile featuring a CuZn 30 copper-zinc jacket and an exposed lead core, it achieves a factory muzzle velocity of 266 m/s (approx. 873 fps) and a muzzle energy of 363 Joules (approx. 268 ft·lb) from a 7.5-inch test barrel. This cartridge incorporates Sellier & Bellot's patented NONTOX Boxer primer, which completely eliminates lead, barium, mercury, and antimony emissions upon ignition. The brass cases are reloadable Boxer-primed with an overall length of approximately 1.520 in (38.6 mm), operating at standard .38 Special pressures suitable for standard-pressure .38 Special firearms and .357 Magnum revolvers or lever-action carbines.

Key Features

• NONTOX Heavy-Metal-Free Priming: Employs a patented Boxer primer compound free from lead, barium, mercury, and antimony to minimise toxic airborne exposure and combustion residues in indoor shooting environments.
• Semi-Jacketed Soft Point Bullet: Combines an exposed lead core with a CuZn 30 jacket to provide controlled expansion while retaining projectile weight.
• Reloadable Brass Cases: Assembled in standard-pressure, factory-annealed Boxer-primed brass cases measuring approximately 1.520 in (38.6 mm) overall length.
• Consistent Ballistics: Produces 266 m/s muzzle velocity and 363 Joules of muzzle energy for dependable cycling and point-of-aim consistency at handgun distances up to 50 metres.
• Convenient Packaging: Supplied in 50-round retail cartons measuring approximately 4¾ in × 2½ in × 1½ in, with a pack weight of approximately 0.79 kg (1¾ lb).

Specifications

• Calibre: .38 Special (0.357 in / 9.07 mm bullet diameter)
• Manufacturer Product Code: V311802
• Bullet Weight: 158 gr (10.25 g)
• Bullet Type: Semi-Jacketed Soft Point (SP)
• Muzzle Velocity ($V_0$): 266 m/s (~873 fps)
• Muzzle Energy ($E_0$): 363 Joules (~268 ft·lb)
• Primer Type: NONTOX Boxer primer (heavy-metal-free)
• Case Material: Reloadable factory brass
• Cartridge Overall Length (OAL): ~1.520 in (38.6 mm)
• Test Barrel Length: 7.5 in (190.5 mm)
• Box Capacity: 50 rounds per box
• Compliance: Standard CIP pressure (not +P). Australian purchase requires a valid firearms licence endorsed for Category H or Category A/B firearms chambered in .38 Special or .357 Magnum.

Who is the S&B Sellier & Bellot 38 Special 158 Grain Sp Nontox Ammo 50 Rd for?

• Indoor range members and staff — requires heavy-metal-free priming to eliminate airborne lead, barium, mercury, and antimony emissions, delivering clean ignition alongside a factory muzzle velocity of 266 m/s and 50 rounds per box for consistent target practice.
• Close-range pest controllers and hunters — relies on the 158 gr Semi-Jacketed Soft Point projectile producing 363 Joules of muzzle energy from a standard .38 Special calibre platform to achieve controlled expansion and terminal performance on target.

Less suitable for: Medium- to long-range hunting beyond 75 to 100 metres, where standard-pressure .38 Special loads exhibit steep trajectory drop; higher-velocity rifle cartridges or magnum-pressure ammunition types better suit those extended distances.