Atomic Ammunition‘s .38 Special +P 148-grain Lead Hollow Point load (brand part no. 00419) takes a classic wadcutter bullet and turns it into a serious defensive round. Atomic loads the hollow-base wadcutter backward, nose-first, into a nickel-plated Starline .38 Special +P case, so the open base leads on impact and expands the way a true hollow point does. In gel testing, this load has consistently opened and expanded when fired from snub-nosed revolvers, a range where many conventional hollow points fail to expand at reduced velocities. Built for shooters who carry a .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver for personal protection, it has built a loyal following among revolver carriers who want a proven pocket-gun load. Every charge is hand-selected and precisely weighed to keep +P pressure consistent from round to round.

Key Specifications

• The caliber is .38 Special, a favorite among revolver shooters for its manageable recoil and reliability.
• This is a +P loading, adding pressure and velocity above standard .38 Special for more energy on target.
• The bullet weighs 148 grains, the traditional wadcutter weight favored by revolver shooters.
• The bullet is a lead hollow-base wadcutter, loaded backward so the hollow base becomes the leading edge on impact.
• Loaded in reverse, the bullet expands reliably even at reduced velocity, opening consistently when fired from short-barreled snub-nosed revolvers.
• The case is nickel-plated Starline brass, resisting corrosion and feeding smoothly from a cylinder.
• This load is rated for both .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers, since .38 Special ammunition chambers safely in either.
• Each box holds 50 rounds, more than double a typical .38 Special box for range days that add up.
• Ten boxes ship per case for 500 rounds total, useful for high-volume practice or long-term storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this expand from a snub-nosed revolver? Yes, the reversed hollow-base wadcutter design has consistently opened and expanded in gel testing, even at the reduced velocities typical of short-barreled revolvers.

Can I shoot this in a .357 Magnum revolver? Yes, .38 Special ammunition chambers and fires safely in any .357 Magnum revolver.

What makes this different from a standard wadcutter? Atomic loads the hollow-base wadcutter in reverse, so the open base leads on impact and the bullet expands like a hollow point instead of punching a clean target hole.

Buy the Atomic .38 Special +P 148gr Lead Hollow Point

Revolver carriers have relied on the reversed wadcutter trick for decades, and Atomic builds it into a modern, consistent factory load so you do not have to hand-load it yourself. Load up your snub-nose or full-size revolver with a round proven to expand when it counts. Order from our handgun ammunition selection at our Lubbock, Texas gun shop and it ships fast to your door.