38 Super

[Bulldog7972]

Anybody have any information on this caliber? I'm having a debate about this caliber with a guy at work. He claims it's one of the best calibers ever developed by man and that it exceeds the 357 mag and even the 45 in ballistic effectiveness. He also claims that the only round that comes close are the 357 Sig and the 40SW. True? I've never heard of or seen a 38 super.

[TOrrock]

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...ighlight=Super

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...ighlight=Super

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...ighlight=Super


Neat cartridge, but will never be more than a niche chambering in the future.

I sure as hell wouldn't want to be shot with one.

The .357 SIG will do pretty much whatever a .38 Super will do, practically speaking, and is available in high capacity modern semi autos.

[tpd223]

In almost all factory ammo a 9mm in +P or +P+ is running at greater velocity, and pushing better bullets, and available in a wide variety of guns that have a proven track record. These guns are either more compact for carry, or available in higher capacity service sized guns.

A Commander in .38Super has got nothing at all on a Glock 34 loaded with +P ammo, except looks perhaps.

[grendelbane]

For over a quarter of a century I have been a big fan of the .38 Super. It is indeed a great cartridge, with a great history.

It has been handicapped over the years by the silly semi-rim that John M. Browning used on its predecessor, the .38 ACP. As soon as JMB saw an example of Kaiser Bill's 9mm cartridge, he too started head spacing his cartridges on the case mouth, instead of the sill semi-rim.

The .38 Super is not loaded any where near its potential by the manufacturers. Neither is the 9x23mm Winchester, the cartridge truly greater than the .38 Super.

I still like the .38 Super, possibly just because I like to be different. Since I prefer the 1911 type platform, it is superior for my purposes to the 9x19mm.

[uscbigdawg]

I load my 38 Super with a 124gr. CMJ at 1450 fps. So...doing the math, that's 179.8 PF.

From Cor-Bon ('cause who loads hotter than Corbon?):
Self Defense: 110gr @ 1500fps (165.0 PF)
DPX: 125gr @ 1300fps (162.5 PF)
Powerball: 100gr @ 1400fps (140 PF)

So...yeah...it can easily have more energy than a 357 Magnum (and in turn 9mm).

Rich

[Buckshot TX]

9X23 - the thinking man's 38 Super (unfortunately, thinkers are in short supply!).
The Super is a great cartridge that has gotten short shrift since WW2.