Last reviewed: 2026-04-18 by Jake Terry, FFL07/SOT3, NRA-certified firearms instructor.
For competitive bullseye shooters and anyone chasing tighter groups on paper, the Sellier & Bellot 38 Special 148 grain hollow base wadcutter brings purpose-built geometry to the firing line. A wadcutter is not a self-defense round — it is a scoring tool, engineered to punch full-diameter holes through paper targets so judges can read rings without magnification. Sellier & Bellot has manufactured cartridge ammunition since 1825; today, under the Magtech-CBC corporate umbrella, the Czech factory applies hydraulic swaging and consistent lead alloy to produce rounds that cycle smoothly through service revolvers and cut clean.
Load Profile
The 148 grain lead projectile leaves the muzzle at 699 feet per second from a 7.5-inch test barrel, generating 161 foot-pounds of energy. That velocity sits deliberately below the transonic threshold, minimizing dispersion caused by shock-wave turbulence. The hollow base — a cavity in the bullet’s rear skirt — allows combustion pressure to expand the lead into rifling grooves, stabilizing the projectile without gas-check wads or driving bands. Boxer primers and reloadable brass cases mean you can reload each hull multiple times; non-corrosive propellant and priming compounds protect barrel steel between cleanings.
The Numbers
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 38 Special |
| Bullet weight | 148 grains |
| Bullet type | Hollow base wadcutter (lead) |
| Muzzle velocity | 699 fps (7.5″ test barrel) |
| Muzzle energy | 161 ft-lbs |
| Rounds/box | 50 |
| Case | Brass (reloadable) |
| Primer | Boxer |
| Corrosive | No |
| Intended use | Range & target |
| Manufacturer | Sellier & Bellot |
Find more match-grade handgun loads in our 38 Special Wadcutter Ammo collection.
Safe Handling & Compliance
Federal law requires purchasers to be at least 18 years old for rifle and shotgun ammunition, and at least 21 for handgun ammunition. Ammunition cannot be shipped to certain states, counties, and cities — review our ammunition shipping restrictions before ordering. Store ammunition in a cool, dry location away from heat sources and out of reach of unauthorized users.
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded; keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction; finger off trigger until sights are on target and you have decided to fire; be certain of your target and what lies beyond it.
- Verify that your firearm is rated for 38 Special and that local laws permit possession and use of this ammunition.
- This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm — wash hands after handling and dispose of spent casings responsibly.
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