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Last updated November 11, 2026

.38 Special wadcutter ammo prices

Compare 148gr wadcutter target loads for bullseye and precision revolver shooting.

Search .38 Spl Wadcutter by Cost per Round
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IronScout provides observed price and availability data for .38 Special ammunition across tracked online retailers. Data reflects historical price observations and does not include purchase recommendations.

These figures cover all tracked .38 Special listings, not only .38 Special wadcutter loads.

Observed 30-Day Price (Per Round): median: $0.658, sample size: 7323.

Prices last updated November 11, 2026 · 348 listings tracked across 28 retailers · 31 days with data in the 30-day window

How we calculate this

SQL PERCENTILE_CONT over daily-best per-product-per-day observed in-stock prices

  • Daily-best is MIN(price_per_round) per (caliber, product, UTC day).
  • Only in-stock observations included.
  • Coverage varies by retailer and source.
View 348 tracked .38 Spl products →

.38 Special wadcutter loads

Product LineGrainType
Federal Gold Medal WC148grHBWC
Remington UMC WC148grLWC
Sellier & Bellot WC148grWC

What to know about .38 Special wadcutter

The 148gr wadcutter is a flat-nosed lead bullet that cuts clean holes in paper — essential for bullseye competition scoring. These loads produce minimal recoil and excellent accuracy. Some defensive shooting instructors recommend wadcutters as a low-recoil defense option for shooters who cannot manage +P loads, as the flat nose creates a larger wound channel than FMJ.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a wadcutter bullet?
A wadcutter is a flat-faced cylindrical bullet that cuts clean, round holes in paper targets — making scoring easier in competition. The .38 Special wadcutter is typically 148gr at roughly 750 fps. It produces mild recoil.
How are wadcutters used for self-defense?
Some snub-nose revolver owners carry full wadcutters; the flat face does not expand, and recoil is mild. Federal Gold Medal 148gr is a wadcutter load.
How much do .38 Special wadcutters cost?
Federal Gold Medal 148gr lead wadcutter is a competition load. Semi-wadcutters (SWC) have a shoulder design and are also used for general target work at similar prices. Current observed .38 Special prices are in the 30-day price summary at the top of this page.