What are the ballistics for 38 Super?
38 ACP cartridge propels a 130-grain (8.4 g) bullet at 1,050 ft/s (320.0 m/s), whereas the . 38 Super pushes the same bullet at 1,280 ft/s (390.1 m/s)….. 38 Super.
| Bullet mass/type | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| 130 (8.42 g) Remington UMC | 1,215 ft/s (370 m/s) | 426 ft⋅lbf (578 J) |
| 124 (8.04 g) Ruag FMJ | 1,411 ft/s (430 m/s) | 546 ft⋅lbf (740 J) |
How effective is 38 Super?
38 Super is a “magnum” 9 mm and that it’s significantly more effective from a terminal-performance standpoint. With common FMJ ammunition you can expect a . 38 Super to generate about 10 percent more velocity and about 20 percent more kinetic energy.
Which is more powerful a 38 or a 9 mm?
Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.
Is 38 Super still relevant?
The answer would be yes. By any standard, the caliber and the 1911 handgun are excellent defensive or tactical choices. The . 38 Super is more powerful than the 9mm Luger and only a little, if any, more difficult to handle.
How many grains is a 38 special?
158 grains
38 Special loading propelled its 158 grains (10.2 g) bullet at a standard 850 ft/s (260 m/s) from a 4-inch (100 mm) revolver barrel.
What kind of bullet is in a 38 Super?
The 38 Super, also known as 38 Superauto, 38 Super Auto, or 9×23mmSR, is a pistol cartridge that fires a 0.356-inch-diameter (9.04 mm) bullet. It was introduced in the late 1920s as a higher pressure loading of the 38 ACP, also known as 38 Auto.
Are 38 Super pistols good for self defense?
Despite its lack of major popularity and industry support, the .38 Super is still a very viable option for both competitive shooting and for self-defense. Check out some of the best .38 Super Pistols out there today.
Is the 38 Super a major charge?
The 38 Super has made a comeback in IPSC and USPSA sports shooting raceguns, particularly when equipped with a compensator, because it exceeds the power factor threshold to be considered a “major” charge, while having much more manageable recoil than .45 ACP. Part of the felt recoil reduction is due to the use of lighter-weight bullets.
Is 38 Spl a good cartridge?
The .38 Spl. has always been known as an accurate cartridge and most loads produced groups under 3”. The .38 Spl., particularly when used in a full-sized handgun like the GP, is an easy cartridge to shoot and one that does not produce a great deal of recoil or muzzle blast. This is the case even with the hotter +P loads.