You should not notice the difference between a 38 Special firing the 148gn wadcutter target load and a 38 S&W firing factory ammo. While you can MAYBE shoot 38 S&W in your 38 Special revolver you CAN shoot 38 Special target loads in your 38 Special revolver. Bullet weight and velocity are almost identical and in may peoples opinion the wadcutter is a better self defence bullet profile than the round nose typically found on 38 S&W.