The Sellier & Bellot .38 Special Wadcutter (WC) 148 Grain ammunition is engineered for short-to-medium range precision target shooting in standard .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers, as well as dedicated target semi-automatic pistols such as the S&W Model 52. Featuring a 100% solid lead, unjacketed cylindrical projectile seated almost flush at an overall cartridge length (OAL) of 30.20 mm, this factory-loaded standard-pressure cartridge is tailored for unambiguous target scoring and mild shooting characteristics. Each 50-round box has a total weight of 0.77 kg and exterior dimensions of 117.5 mm × 61.5 mm × 40.5 mm, built using reloadable brass casings and standard Boxer primers.

Key Features

• Clean Paper Punching: The flat-faced, unjacketed cylindrical wadcutter profile cuts precise circular holes in paper targets rather than tearing, enabling rapid, definitive scoring during formal competition.
• Mild Subsonic Recoil: Loaded to a muzzle velocity of 213 m/s with a low power factor of approximately 103.5 kgr·fps, this cartridge produces minimal muzzle flip for quick sight re-acquisition.
• Precision Trajectory at 25 Metres: Designed for optimal grouping between 12.5 m and 25 m, recording a trajectory of +1.0 cm at 12.5 m and 0.0 cm at a 25 m zero.
• Reloadable Components: Assembled in factory brass casings with non-corrosive Boxer primers for dependable cycling in revolver cylinders and target magazines.

Specifications

• Calibre: .38 Special (standard pressure, non-+P)
• Bullet Type: Solid Lead Wadcutter (WC), unjacketed
• Bullet Weight: 148 grains (9.60 g)
• Muzzle Velocity: 213 m/s (~699 fps from a 190 mm test barrel)
• Muzzle Energy: 218 J (~161–169 ft-lbs)
• Ballistic Coefficient: 0.059 (G1)
• Sectional Density: 0.166 lb/in²
• Overall Cartridge Length (OAL): 30.20 mm
• Individual Cartridge Weight: ~14.3 g
• Box Dimensions: 117.5 mm × 61.5 mm × 40.5 mm (50 rounds)
• Box Weight: 0.77 kg

Who is the S&B Sellier & Bellot 38 Special 148 Grain Wc Ammo 50 Rd for?

• Bullseye and ISSF target shooters — relies on the 148 grain flat-profile projectile to cut clean, sharp holes in paper for exact scoring, backed by a subsonic 213 m/s muzzle velocity and 218 J of muzzle energy that produce minimal recoil during rapid-fire strings.
• Cowboy Action shooters — benefits from this 38 Special wadcutter ammunition delivering a mild 218 J muzzle energy and an estimated 103.5 power factor, providing low muzzle flip and fast sight alignment during close-range revolver stages.
• Indoor target plinkers — utilizes the blunt 0.059 G1 ballistic coefficient projectile at standard short indoor ranges between 12.5 m and 25 m, where the 148 grain solid lead wadcutter achieves zero elevation drop at 25 m without unnecessary chamber pressure.

Less suitable for: Target shooting at distances exceeding 25 m, where the blunt 0.059 G1 ballistic coefficient leads to rapid drop (-12.3 cm at 50 m and -84.8 cm at 100 m), requiring round-nose flat-point or full metal jacket profiles for flatter trajectories. It is also unsuited for ethical medium-to-large game hunting due to a low velocity of 213 m/s and lack of terminal expansion, as well as standard semi-automatic firearms requiring a ramped or rounded bullet profile for reliable feeding.