Picture a 9mm bullet in a longer case, loaded hotter, in a full-size 1911. That’s the 38 Super in one line. It has a loyal following in competition, in Mexico, and among 1911 fans who want more speed than 9mm without the recoil of a 45.
This page breaks down 38 Super ballistics for every load Bulk Ammo Vault carries. You’ll see a full data table, a short guide to reading speed and energy, and tips on which bullet fits which job. All velocity and energy figures come from the linked product pages.
What Is the 38 Super?
Colt brought out the 38 Super in 1929. It used the same case as the older 38 ACP but with much more pressure. The goal was more speed from the 1911 pistol. The case is semi-rimmed, and the bullet is the same .355 inch class as the 9mm.
Because the 38 Super and 38 ACP look alike, SAAMI later named the round 38 Super Auto +P. That’s why nearly every box you’ll see carries a +P mark. It’s a warning: don’t load it in an old pistol made for the 38 ACP.
38 Super Ballistics Table
Here’s every 38 Super load we stock with full data, sorted by bullet weight.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bore 38 Super 115 Grain JHP Outdoorsman +P | Jacketed Hollow Point | 115 | 1,450 | 537 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 38 Super TAC-XP 115 Grain Lead Free +P | Barnes TAC-XP solid copper hollow point | 115 | 1,450 | 537 | 20-round box |
| Federal American Eagle 38 Super 115 Grain JHP +P | Jacketed Hollow Point | 115 | 1,130 | 326 | 50-round box |
| Underwood 38 Super +P 124 Grain XTP JHP | Hornady XTP jacketed hollow point | 124 | 1,350 | 502 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 38 Super 124 Grain JHP +P | Jacketed Hollow Point | 124 | 1,350 | 502 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 38 Super FMJ 124 Grain +P | Full Metal Jacket | 124 | 1,350 | 502 | 20-round box |
| Winchester 38 Super JHP 125 Grain +P | Jacketed Hollow Point | 125 | 1,240 | 427 | 50-round box |
| Fiocchi 38 Super 129 Grain FMJ Shooting Dynamics | Full Metal Jacket | 129 | 1,180 | 400 | 50-round box |
| Remington 38 Super +P 130 Grain FMJ UMC | Full Metal Jacket | 130 | 1,215 | 426 | 50-round box |
| PPU 38 Super +P 130 Grain FMJ | Full Metal Jacket | 130 | 1,213 | 425 | 50-round box |
| Winchester White Box 38 Super +P 130 Grain FMJ | Full Metal Jacket | 130 | 1,215 | 426 | 50-round box |
| Magtech 38 Super +P 130 Grain FMJ | Full Metal Jacket | 130 | 1,215 | 426 | 50-round box |
| Aguila 38 Super +P 130 Grain FMJ | Full Metal Jacket | 130 | 1,220 | 430 | 50-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 38 Super 147 Grain JHP Outdoorsman +P | Jacketed Hollow Point | 147 | 1,150 | 432 | 20-round box |
Standard FMJ loads cluster near 1,215 fps with 130 grain bullets, such as the Winchester White Box 130 grain. The Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman 115 grain JHP lists 1,450 fps and 537 ft-lbs. That ties with the TAC-XP 115 grain for the fastest load in the group.
How to Read the Numbers
Muzzle velocity is how fast the bullet exits. Muzzle energy is how much work it carries. Energy grows with the square of speed. That’s why a light, fast bullet can match or beat a heavier, slower one on paper.
Paper isn’t everything. A heavier bullet often goes deeper and holds speed better. A lighter one may open fast. Read energy as one clue among several.
Things that change your real speed
- Barrel length. Most 38 Super guns are 5 inch 1911s. A 4.25 inch Commander-size gun may run a bit slower than the label.
- Compensators and race guns. Ports bleed off some gas, which can lower speed.
- Weather and altitude. Cold can slow powder. Thin air at high altitude doesn’t change muzzle speed much but cuts drag downrange.
38 Super vs 9mm vs 38 Special
Is 38 Super better than 9mm?
It depends on what you want. The 38 Super has a longer case, so it can be loaded faster. Its semi-rimmed case feeds well in 1911 magazines. The 9mm wins on cost, choice of guns and ammo supply. For most carry and range use, 9mm is the easier pick. For a 1911 fan who wants more speed, the Super makes sense.
Can a 38 Super fire 9mm?
Not with the 38 Super barrel. The cases are shaped and sized differently. Some 1911s accept a swap barrel in 9mm, and that’s the safe way to shoot both.
Is 38 Super the same as 38 Special?
No. The 38 Special is a rimmed revolver round. The 38 Super is a semi-rimmed pistol round. The names share a number and nothing else that matters.
Why Mexico and Match Shooters Like It
For decades, Mexican law kept civilians from owning guns in military calibers such as 9mm Parabellum. The 38 Super gave shooters there 9mm-class power in a legal caliber. It became a common choice in Mexico as a result.
In the U.S., the 38 Super found a home in practical pistol matches. Its case has room for loads that work well with compensators. That gives flat-shooting race guns.
Pick a Load by Job
Range and practice
FMJ 130 grain loads are the standard. Remington UMC 130 grain lists 1,215 fps and 426 ft-lbs. Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 129 grain lists 1,180 fps and 400 ft-lbs.
Personal defense
Choose hollow points. Winchester 125 grain JHP lists 1,240 fps and 427 ft-lbs. Underwood 124 grain XTP lists 1,350 fps and 502 ft-lbs. The Buffalo Bore TAC-XP 115 grain is a lead-free solid copper option. Self-defense and hollow point laws vary, so check your state and local rules.
Outdoors and woods carry
Heavier bullets help with depth. Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman 147 grain JHP lists 1,150 fps and 432 ft-lbs. Check that your pistol handles hotter loads, and check your state’s hunting rules before using any handgun on game.
For a look at a hot 45-class round, see our 45 Super ballistic data guide. To compare 9mm loads, read the 9mm gel test results guide.
Shop 38 Super Ammo
Browse our 38 Super ammo for FMJ practice boxes and defense loads. Compare the 38 Super ballistics in each listing, then pick the load that runs best in your 1911.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 38 Super?
The 38 Super is a semi-auto pistol cartridge that Colt released in 1929 for the 1911. It uses a 9mm-class bullet in a longer, semi-rimmed case at higher pressure. Today it’s used in competition, for personal defense and by 1911 fans who want more speed than 9mm.
Is 38 Super better than 9mm?
Neither is better across the board. The 38 Super can be loaded faster thanks to its longer case. The 9mm costs less and fits far more guns. For a 1911 owner who wants extra speed, the Super is a strong fit. For most other shooters, 9mm is simpler.
Is 38 Super the same as 38 Special?
No. The 38 Special is a rimmed revolver cartridge. The 38 Super is a semi-rimmed cartridge for semi-auto pistols. They are not interchangeable. Always use the round stamped on your gun’s barrel or slide.
Why is 38 Super popular in Mexico?
For many years Mexican law barred civilians from owning guns in military calibers, including 9mm Parabellum. The 38 Super offered similar power in a caliber civilians could own. It became a common choice there as a result.
Can a 38 Super fire 9mm?
Not safely in a 38 Super barrel. The cases have different shapes and dimensions. Some 1911 pistols can be fitted with a separate 9mm barrel, which is the right way to shoot both rounds from one frame.
