Description
38 Special 195gr Lever Action Subsonic Round Nose Ammunition
Designed specifically for lever-action rifles chambered in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, Steinel’s 195gr Lever Action Subsonic Round Nose ammunition delivers exceptionally consistent performance while remaining below the speed of sound. Unlike traditional handgun-focused .38 Special loads, this cartridge is engineered to maximize reliability, smooth cycling, and practical accuracy in rifle-length barrels.
Whether you’re shooting a Henry, Marlin, Rossi, Winchester, or another lever-action platform, this load combines a heavy coated round nose projectile with carefully selected Vihtavuori powder to produce clean-burning, dependable performance and reduced muzzle report. The result is premium subsonic ammunition built for recreational shooting, suppressed firearms, small game applications, and shooters who value smooth, consistent operation.
Ballistics Charts
100 Yard Zero
| Range (yds) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Traj (in) |
| 0 | 1,040 | 468 | -1.5 |
| 25 | 1,006 | 438 | 2.2 |
| 50 | 976 | 413 | 3.8 |
| 75 | 949 | 390 | 3.1 |
| 100 | 925 | 371 | 0.0 |
| 125 | 903 | 353 | -5.6 |
| 150 | 882 | 337 | -14.0 |
| 175 | 862 | 322 | -25.1 |
| 200 | 844 | 308 | -39.1 |
Why We Developed This Load
Many factory .38 Special loads are designed primarily for revolvers, often resulting in inconsistent velocities or cycling characteristics when fired through lever-action rifles.
Our 195-grain Lever Action Subsonic load was engineered specifically to address those differences.
By combining a heavy-for-caliber coated round nose bullet with carefully selected powder, we created a cartridge that delivers:
- Reliable cycling in tubular-magazine lever rifles
- Consistent subsonic velocities from rifle-length barrels
- Smooth recoil for extended range sessions
- Reduced muzzle blast compared to standard velocity ammunition
- Excellent accuracy with minimal fouling
Every design decision focuses on practical performance rather than simply increasing velocity.
Performance Features
Purpose-Built for Lever-Action Rifles
Unlike conventional .38 Special ammunition designed around handguns, this load is optimized for lever-action carbines, providing dependable ignition, smooth cycling, and excellent consistency from longer barrels.
Heavy 195-Grain Bullet
The heavier projectile helps maintain momentum while remaining comfortably subsonic. This combination produces reduced muzzle blast and predictable downrange performance.
Consistent Subsonic Velocity
Loaded to approximately 1,045 FPS from an 18-inch barrel, this ammunition remains below the speed of sound under normal shooting conditions, minimizing the sharp sonic crack associated with supersonic ammunition.
Smooth Feeding
The round nose bullet profile is selected to promote reliable feeding through tubular magazines commonly found in lever-action rifles.
Clean-Burning Components
Premium Vihtavuori powder, Starline brass, and CCI primers contribute to consistent ignition, clean shooting characteristics, and dependable performance throughout extended shooting sessions.
Applications
This load performs exceptionally well for:
- Lever-action target shooting
- Suppressed recreational shooting
- Small game hunting where legally permitted
- Ranch and utility rifles
- Steel targets
- Training with reduced muzzle blast
- Shooters seeking low-recoil rifle ammunition
Compatible Firearms
Designed primarily for lever-action rifles chambered in:
- Henry Big Boy
- Marlin 1894
- Rossi R92
- Winchester Model 94
- Other .38 Special/.357 Magnum lever-action rifles
Also functions well in many .357 Magnum revolvers using .38 Special ammunition.
This load is QUIET. Here it is being fired indoors.
For comparison, note the small pancake compressor that turns on (~15 feet away).
FAQ’s:
1. Is this ammunition safe in .357 Magnum rifles?
Yes. Firearms chambered for .357 Magnum can safely fire .38 Special ammunition.
2. Is this load optimized for suppressors?
Yes. The subsonic velocity and clean-burning powder make this load well suited for use with compatible suppressed firearms where legally permitted.
3. Why use a 195-grain bullet?
The heavier bullet helps maintain subsonic velocity while providing smooth recoil, reliable cycling in lever-action rifles, and consistent downrange performance.
4. Why Vihtavuori Powder?
We selected Vihtavuori powder for this load because it is recognized for its consistent manufacturing standards and dependable performance. Combined with premium Starline brass and CCI primers, it helps produce reliable ignition and the consistent velocities required for a purpose-built subsonic lever-action load.
