The Sellier & Bellot .38 Special 158gr Lead Round Nose (LRN) ammunition is engineered for target shooting, competition, and range training. Loaded into reloadable Boxer-primed brass cases, each standard-pressure cartridge features a 158-grain solid lead bullet treated with a light anti-friction polymer coating to reduce barrel leading and bore fouling. Designed for revolvers and lever-action rifles chambered in .38 Special or .357 Magnum, this ammunition delivers clean-burning, consistent ignition with standard SAAMI/CIP pressure characteristics.

Key Features

• Light Polymer Coating: Features a light protective coating over the 158-grain solid lead projectile to significantly minimise lead residue and bore fouling during extended range sessions.
• Consistent Ballistic Output: Generates a muzzle velocity of 304 m/s (997 fps) and 474 Joules of muzzle energy when fired from a 190 mm test barrel.
• Reloadable Components: Built with non-corrosive Boxer primers and precision-drawn reloadable brass casings measuring an overall cartridge length of 39.15 mm.
• Predictable Trajectory: Offers flat performance out to 50 metres, maintaining a bullet drop of just -5.4 cm at 50 m and -37.6 cm at 100 m from a 25-metre zero.

Specifications

• Calibre: .38 Special (Standard Pressure, Non +P)
• Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose (LRN) with polymer coating
• Bullet Weight: 158 grains (10.25 g)
• Muzzle Velocity: 304 m/s (997 fps)
• Muzzle Energy: 474 Joules (349.6 ft-lb)
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): 0.324
• Sectional Density: 0.177 lb/in²
• Overall Cartridge Length: 39.15 mm (1.541 in)
• Total Cartridge Weight: 15.1 g per round
• Primer / Case: Boxer primed / reloadable brass
• Packaging Dimensions & Weight: 117.5 mm (L) × 61.5 mm (W) × 40.5 mm (H); 0.81 kg per 50-round box
• Compatibility: Handguns and lever-action rifles chambered in .38 Special or .357 Magnum

Who is the Sellier & Bellot 38 Special 158gr LRN 50 Pack for?

• Competitive service pistol shooters — provides standard-pressure .38 Special target ammunition achieving 304 m/s muzzle velocity and an estimated 157.5 power factor for stable, predictable scoring across 25-metre and 50-metre match stages.
• Cowboy action shooting participants — utilizes traditional 158 grains lead round nose projectiles seated to a uniform 39.15 mm overall cartridge length for reliable cycling through lever-action carbine tubular magazines and single-action revolvers.
• General handgun target practice enthusiasts — delivers a balanced 474 Joules of muzzle energy with a bore-protecting polymer coating that reduces maintenance downtime during high-volume range training.

Less suitable for: Medium-to-large game hunting or defensive applications requiring controlled projectile expansion and high terminal energy transfer (where semi-jacketed soft point or expanding jacketed hollow-point ammunition is recommended), as well as indoor shooting facilities with strict lead policies prohibiting exposed lead projectiles (which require fully copper-plated TMJ or FMJ ammunition).