Best 38 Special Ammo for Self-Defense: Personal Defense and Range Day Ammo

Many shooters love the 38 Special because they value accurate, low-recoil defense rounds that are proven to stop threats at close range. Combine that with a snubnose revolver, and you have a recipe for an excellent concealed carry firearm.

So, what is the best 38 Special ammo for self-defense? I'm glad you asked!

Thanks to its unique hollow point bullet, Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best overall.

If that defense load seems a little pricey, don't worry. Well discuss many more options in this article.

Recommended .38 Ammo For Self-Defense

Testing Procedure: How to Choose The Best .38 Special Ammo For Self-Defense

I have a straightforward process for choosing ammo for my firearms. It's always based on the intended use, which determines how well the ammo needs to perform. If you're having a fun day at the range, you don't need expensive hollow point bullets – but you do need those bullets in a home defense situation. That's why I've taken the time to explain my thought process for choosing the best ammo for snubnose revolvers based on the scenarios below.

During the ammo testing process, we consider many critical factors, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Was the round designed for self-defense?
• Ballistic performance
• Price
• Performance at the range
• Accuracy

Bullets perform best at the tasks they were specifically designed for. Since we’re talking about personal defense and training, the rounds I selected for testing were either (A) loaded with JHPs, or (B) ballistically similar enough to the JHP loads that training with them would be rewarding and instructive.

We’re already at a ballistic disadvantage when firing a 38 SPL. It is weak relative to many of the more recently developed handgun cartridges, so using the rounds that perform the best (A) out of the muzzle and (B) terminally is a must.

Cost is my biggest consideration while training, plinking, and target shooting, but I’m willing to pay more when my family's lives depend on it. In a self-defense situation with a gun that has a short barrel, two things matter most: accuracy, and knockdown power. You have to be able to hit the threat, and you want your hits to be as effective as possible. It's all in service of halting the threat's advance ASAP.

I’m most concerned with performance at the range. How reliable was the round? Does it have enough stopping power to end a threat? Am I capable of being accurate with this round, or am I just vaguely hoping it hits the target?

I tried to answer all these questions while firing these rounds at the range. I pray I never have to use them in self-defense, but I need to know how they’ll perform if that scenario ever happens.

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP - Best 38 Special Ammo for Self-Defense

Specs

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P Ammo - 25 Rounds of 110 Grain JHP Ammunition (Cases Not Nickel-Plated)

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$28.99

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• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Flex Tip eXpanding (FTX) Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight: 110 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,090 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 290 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best 38 Special ammo for self-defense overall because it's made by a trusted brand, uses a unique bullet, and hits the target hard and fast.

The bad guys won't know what hit them!

I use Hornady's Critical Defense label ammo in my Springfield 45 ACP, Smith & Wesson 9mm, and my wife's Ruger LCR. That's how much I trust this brand of ammo. It's never let me down, and it has proven itself incredibly accurate in several makes and models of firearms.

This round features Hornady's state-of-the-art FTX jacketed hollow point bullet. Its hollow point nose cavity contains a polymer plug. It prevents the cavity from filling with debris, such as fabric particles, and losing its ability to trigger terminal expansion as a result. The FTX's polymer tip also compresses upon impact, which helps to catalyze and accelerate subsequent expansion.

The 110gr FTX bullet is also very fast when paired with + P ammo, which transfers more kinetic energy to its target on impact. This gives the round more knockdown power than standard pressure self-defense ammo.

While I often praise Hornady Critical Defense, I must mention a couple of downfalls.

The first is the cost. This + P round is expensive. I won't take it to the range to punch holes in paper with it, that's for sure!

However, it's not the most expensive 38 Special round on the market. Winchester PDX1 Defender 38 Special +P 130gr JHP is even costlier, and doesn't come close to matching the muzzle velocity of Hornady Critical Defense (though in its defense, it does have a heavier projectile).

The other thing is its kick. If you're sensitive to recoil, this one's not for you. My wife found it to be too snappy, and she wasn't comfortable firing it in her short-barrel revolver.

If you're like her, then I recommend trying Hornady 38 Special 125gr JHP. It doesn't have the ballistics of the increased pressure load, which means the recoil will be more manageable.

Even with its drawbacks, Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best 38 Special ammo for defense situations overall because it's accurate, reliable, and has the knockdown power requisite to stop a dangerous threat.

Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125gr JHP - Best .38 Self-Defense Ammo for Personal Defense

Speer 38 Special +P Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain JHP Ammunition

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$40.99

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Specs

• Case: Nickel-plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight: 125 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 945 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 248 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125gr JHP is some of the best 38 Spl self-defense ammo – the reason why it's trusted by law enforcement officers across the U.S. Whenever I ask a law enforcement officer which ammo they prefer, Speer Gold Dot is always at or near the top of their list.

Speer Gold Dot ammo is loaded with high-quality components. When you pull the trigger, you know it will go bang and hit where you're aiming — two requisites for self-defense.

Speer Gold Dot ammo doesn't just ignite. Its JHP is also extremely effective at its job. The bullet owes this to its electrochemically bonded jacket, which promotes effective penetration through barriers and flesh, as well as its precision-formed nose cavity which reliably produces injurious terminal expansion.

The most surprising thing about this Speer ammo is its price, which is low compared to Remington Golden Saber and Federal Hydra-Shok Deep 38 Special +P 130gr JHP.

My biggest complaint about Speer Gold Dot 38 SPL +P 125gr JHP rounds is that they're a little snappy (lots of recoil) when fired from a snub nose 38 Special revolver like an S&W J-frame. (This is to be expected when you're firing +P ammo, though.)

I wouldn't hesitate to load Speer Gold Dot 38 Spl +P 125gr JHP into my grandpa's 357 Magnum Ruger or S&W 38 Special revolvers for self-defense purposes. It's accurate, it hits hard, and it has yet to fail me at the range.

Blazer 38 Special 125gr FMJ - Best .38 Training Ammo for Small Revolvers

Specs

Shop 38 Special Ammo

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Bullet Weight: 125 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 865 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 208 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

When you want the best .38 Special training ammo, choose Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ. The full metal jacket bullets have similar flight characteristics to hollow point bullets in similar weights, and they're inexpensive. You can spend all day at the range without selling your right arm for the pleasure.

CCI's Blazer brand is reputed for producing quality ammunition for all scenarios, and at affordable prices. I like to train with the ammo I plan to carry, but that gets expensive. That's why I'll supplement my carry ammo with rounds that have similar ballistic performance, which is the case with this Blazer 125-grain bullet.

Another thing I love about these rounds is their low recoil. Your hands won't get sore after firing hundreds of these rounds from a revolver with a short 2-inch barrel.

This ammo's benefits aren't unaccompanied by drawbacks. The biggest is that Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ costs more than Magtech 38 Special 158gr Lead Round Nose (LRN) and Sellier & Bellot 38 Special 158gr SJSP.

But it's still cheaper than the ever popular Federal American Eagle 38 Special 158-Grain LRN.

The next time you're headed to the range to do some training, don't hesitate to pick up a few boxes of Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ. It's reasonably priced, shoots well, and has lower recoil than +P ammo.

Underwood 38 Special +P 125gr XTP - Best .38 Special Hollow Point Ammo

Underwood 38 Special +P Ammo - 20 Rounds of 125 Grain XTP Ammunition

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$19.99

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Specs

• Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (XTP)
• Bullet Weight: 125 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,250 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 434 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Underwood 38 Special +P 125-Grain XTP ammunition is loaded with one of the best hollow point bullets on the market. The eXtreme Terminal Performance bullet is one of the most popular handgun bullets because it delivers top-notch performance for target shooters, hunters, and concealed carriers alike.

Underwood strives to keep their high-quality hunting and self-defense ammo as affordable as possible. They're doing a great job with the pricing of these rounds, considering they include high-quality materials like XTP bullets and nickel-plated brass casings.

The biggest downside to these rounds is that Underwood is still a baby ammo company by its competitors' standards. It hasn't had time to build a reputation like Remington, with its Remington HTP 38 Special +P 125gr SJHP, or Winchester.

Although Underwood is a relatively new company, their38 Special +P 125-Grain XTP ammo is worth ordering because it's reasonably priced with solid ballistics and quality components. You can count on these rounds if needed.

Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special 158gr CNL - Honorable Mention

Specs

Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 158 Grain CNL Ammunition

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$43.99

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• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Conical Nose Lead (CNL)
• Bullet Weight: 158 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 800 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 225 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

I couldn't omit to mention Black Hills 38 Special 158gr CNL ammo. Black Hills Ammunition is synonymous with accuracy, reliability, and consistency in the shooting industry.

If you're into Cowboy Action Shooting with your revolver, these are the rounds to stock up on. You're unlikely to find a more accurate bullet than the CNL. They also make excellent range day loads because they're reloadable, which helps reduce your hoboverall cost (assuming you handload, that is).

Since Black Hills uses the best materials for their rounds, you can count on them to go bang and hit the spot wherever you're aiming. However, I wouldn't use these particular rounds for home defense. They're intended for competition use and have non-expanding bullets that are prone to over-penetration.

Even though they're more expensive than many other Cowboy Action and target loads like Sellier & Bellot 38 Special 158-Grain LFN (which is the biggest con against these rounds), they're still cheaper than Winchester Super-X 38 Special 158gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter (LSWC; not to be confused with LSWCHP, aka lead semi-wadcutter hollow point).

Considering all the benefits of Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special 158gr CNL, it's a no-brainer to grab a few boxes before you head to your next Cowboy Action shoot.

Federal 38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP - Most Powerful 38 Special Ammo

Shop 38 Special Ammo

Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point (LSWHP)
• Bullet Weight: 158 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 900 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 284 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Federal 38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP is the most powerful 38 Special ammo because it fires a heavy 158 grain semi-wadcutter hollow point bullet and is supercharged +P ammo.

Federal Premium is one of the most respected brands in the firearms and ammo industry. I’ve used Federal ammo for years, and truly believe they make a quality product.

The 38 SPL isn’t known for having heavy projectiles – a feature often associated with more powerful rounds. However, these rounds shoot one of the heaviest bullets coupled with the increased pressure of +P ammo to offer 38 Special shooters unmatched ballistics. Yes, you’ll find rounds with a higher velocity, but they won’t be the same bullet weight.

Another thing I really like about this ammo is its price. It’s a round you can carry and take to the range without having to take out a second mortgage.

The biggest drawback is that this bullet design has been around since the dinosaurs, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t perform well in a revolver. 

If you want the most powerful .38 Special ammo that doesn’t cost a fortune, pick up some Federal 38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP today!

Parting Shots: Best 38 Special Ammo for Self-Defense

Despite many shooters opting for larger cartridges, a 38 Special revolver can be an excellent carry gun when it's loaded with the right ammo. I’m always on the hunt for a reliably accurate round that offers plenty of stopping power to protect my family. The rounds listed above meet those criteria.

Choosing the wrong ammo for any given application can lead to disastrous results. Thankfully, that won’t be you. Now that you've finished reading about the best 38 Special ammo for self-defense, you can grab a couple of boxes of Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP from Ammo.com to use in your 38 SPL snubnose revolver.

Written by

Chris Dwulet