.38 Special Once-Fired Brass for Reloading | .38 Spl & .38 S&W Special Brass For Sale

.38 Special Brass Quality Standards

US Reloading Supply obtains once-fired brass from commercial shooting ranges, law enforcement agencies, individual brass suppliers, and other legitimate sources. After acquisition, the brass is sorted to remove steel, aluminum, and other non-brass cases before receiving the cleaning and preparation appropriate for the individual product.

The products currently offered on this page are washed and polished brass and washed and polished nickel-plated brass. Individual product titles and Short Descriptions identify the finish, quantity, and other product-specific details for each SKU.

Throughout processing, brass is visually inspected to remove damaged or unsuitable cases whenever identified. However, because once-fired brass is a previously used product, occasional defective cases may still be present. To help ensure customer satisfaction, most once-fired brass orders include approximately 2–3% additional brass.

For additional information about our processing methods, product terminology, and quality standards, please visit our Brass Information page.

.38 Special Quick Specifications

The following information provides a practical reference for commonly checked .38 Special cartridge and case specifications. Always consult current published reloading data and official standards before loading ammunition.

Official SAAMI Reference

For complete cartridge and chamber drawings, dimensional tolerances, and pressure standards, consult the official SAAMI specifications.

View Official SAAMI .38 Special Specifications

Reloading .38 Special Brass

Once-fired .38 Special brass provides an economical foundation for assembling quality ammunition when proper inspection and safe reloading practices are followed.

Before reloading, inspect every case for splits, corrosion, loose primer pockets, damaged rims, or any other condition that could affect safe operation. While mixed headstamp brass is suitable for many applications, reloaders seeking maximum consistency may wish to sort cases by manufacturer when developing precision loads.

Nickel-plated brass is generally reloaded using the same procedures as traditional brass cases, although the nickel plating should be inspected for cracking or excessive wear after repeated firing cycles.

Reloaders should periodically verify case length and trim cases when necessary according to current published specifications. Always consult current published load data from reputable component manufacturers and verify that your finished ammunition is appropriate for the firearm in which it will be used.

About the .38 Special Cartridge

Introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1898, the .38 Special was developed as an improvement over the .38 Long Colt by increasing case capacity while maintaining the mild recoil and practical handling characteristics that shooters appreciated.

The cartridge quickly gained widespread acceptance among military organizations, law enforcement agencies, competitive shooters, and private citizens. Over time, it established a reputation for accuracy, reliability, and versatility that continues to this day. Even as newer handgun cartridges have entered the market, the .38 Special remains one of the most popular revolver cartridges ever produced.

For reloaders, the cartridge offers exceptional flexibility. A wide selection of bullets, powders, and published load data allows ammunition to be tailored for everything from light target loads to personal-defense applications when assembled using safe, published reloading data.

Another reason for the cartridge's enduring popularity is its compatibility with revolvers chambered for .357 Magnum. Because .357 Magnum revolvers are designed to safely chamber and fire .38 Special ammunition, many shooters use .38 Special for economical practice while retaining the option of firing .357 Magnum ammunition when greater performance is desired.

More than a century after its introduction, the .38 Special continues to be one of the most recognizable, practical, and frequently reloaded revolver cartridges in the shooting sports.

Frequently Asked Questions About .38 Special Brass

Q: Is this once-fired brass?
A: Yes. Unless otherwise stated, the products on this page consist of once-fired .38 Special brass.

Q: Is the brass cleaned before shipping?
A: Yes. The products currently offered on this page are washed and polished brass and washed and polished nickel-plated brass. Please review the individual product title and Short Description for SKU-specific details.

Q: Is the brass de-primed?
A: No. Unless otherwise stated, the brass has not been de-primed.

Q: Is it mixed headstamp?
A: Yes. Unless otherwise stated, products on this page are mixed headstamp.

Q: What does mixed headstamp mean?
A: Mixed headstamp means the brass was manufactured by multiple companies. Because different manufacturers may produce cases with slight variations in dimensions or internal case capacity, some reloaders sort brass by headstamp when seeking maximum consistency.

Q: Can .38 Special brass be reloaded multiple times?
A: Yes. With proper inspection, safe loading practices, and normal case maintenance, quality brass can often be reloaded multiple times.

Q: Does nickel-plated brass reload differently than standard brass?
A: Generally, no. Nickel-plated brass is reloaded using the same basic procedures as traditional brass cases, although the nickel plating should be inspected for cracking or excessive wear after repeated use.

Q: Should I trim .38 Special brass?
A: Although .38 Special brass typically experiences relatively little case growth, reloaders should periodically verify case length and trim cases whenever necessary according to current published specifications.

Q: Can .38 Special ammunition be fired in a .357 Magnum revolver?
A: Yes. Revolvers chambered for .357 Magnum are designed to safely chamber and fire .38 Special ammunition. Always follow the firearm manufacturer's recommendations.

Q: Can I use .357 Magnum brass instead of .38 Special brass?
A: No. Although both cartridges use the same bullet diameter, .357 Magnum cases are longer than .38 Special cases and require separate published load data. They should not be treated as interchangeable during the reloading process.

Q: What primer does .38 Special normally use?
A: Standard .38 Special brass typically uses Small Pistol primers.