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

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Mar 5, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "Best 38 Special Ammo for Snubbies"
(https://ammo.com/best/best-38-special-ammo-for-snubbies)

It's accurate. It has low recoil. It is proven to be effective for defense at close range. Many shooters love 38 Special ammo for these reasons and believe the snub-nose revolver to be an excellent concealed carry firearm.

So, what is the best 38 Special ammo for snubbies (i.e., revolvers with barrels shorter than 3 inches)? I'm glad you asked!

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr FTX is the best overall, thanks to Hornady’s unique Flex Tip eXpanding jacketed hollow point.

If that defense load is a little pricey, don't worry. We will discuss many more options as you continue reading.

Recommended .38 Ammo For Snubbies

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP - Best Overall

Hornady 38 Special +P Ammo - 25 Rounds of 110 Grain FTX Ammunition

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$31.99

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Specs

• 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

Pros

• Trusted Brand
• Technologically advanced bullet design
• Fast
• Hard hitting

Cons

• Expensive
• A little extra recoil with the +P load

Why We Chose It

Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best 38 Special ammo for snubbies overall because it's made by a trusted brand, loaded with a special bullet, and hits the target hard and fast.

The bad guy won't know what hit him!

I use Hornady Critical Defense 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 has proven extremely accurate in various firearms.

That's thanks in part to Hornady's special FTX bullet. A polymer tip sits inside the jacketed hollow point, where it prevents fabric and other debris from impacting inside the nose cavity and rendering expansion impossible. It increases the bullet’s likelihood of neutralizing the threat, and reduces (but by no means eliminates) the risk of over-penetration.

The lightweight 110gr FTX bullet gains a very high muzzle velocity when it is loaded in a +P cartridge, which translates to a flatter trajectory and increased striking power. It all translates to more knockdown power than a standard pressure 38 Special round can muster.

While I often sing the praises of Hornady Critical Defense, it has a couple of downfalls I must mention to be transparent.

The first is the cost. This +P ammo is expensive. It's not something I take to the range to punch paper with, that's for sure!

It's not the most expensive 38 Special round on the market, though. Winchester Defender 38 Special 130gr JHP is costlier, and doesn't come close to matching the muzzle velocity of Hornady Critical Defense.

For those who are a bit recoil sensitive, this isn't the round for you. My wife found it to be too snappy, and she wasn't comfortable firing it in her short-barreled handgun.

If you’re like her, then I recommend Hornady 38 Special 125gr JHP. It doesn't have the same stopping power as the over-pressure load, but that comes with the advantage of gentler recoil.

Even with its drawbacks, Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr FTX is the best 38 Special ammo for snubbies overall. It's accurate, fast, and has the knockdown power to stop a dangerous threat.

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

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

Pros

• Trusted by law enforcement
• High quality components
• Solid ballistics
• Reasonable price

Cons

• A little snappy due to the increased pressure

Why We Chose It

Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125gr JHP is the best 38 SPL self-defense ammo because it's trusted by law enforcement officers across the U.S. Whenever I ask a law enforcement buddy which ammo they prefer using on duty, Speer Gold Dot is at 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 fundamental aspects of self-defense.

The Gold Dot jacketed hollow point owes its accuracy to its electrochemically bonded jacket. In addition to promoting superior in-flight stability, its jacket fortifies the bullet tremendously. That enables it to conserve more weight and momentum after piercing a barrier, and deliver a deep wound channel as its nose cavity simultaneously produces wide expansion.

To me, the most surprising thing about this Speer ammo is its price. It is low compared to Remington Golden Saber and Federal Hydra-Shok Deep.

My biggest complaint about Speer Gold Dot 38 SPL +P 125gr JHP is its snappy recoil in a snub-nose 38 Special revolver, such as an S&W J-Frame. This is expected when you're firing +P ammo, though.

I wouldn't hesitate to load Speer Gold Dot 38 SPL +P 125gr JHP into a Ruger 357 Magnum or S&W 38 Special revolver for self-defense. It's accurate, hard-hitting, and ultra-reliable.

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

Blazer Brass 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain FMJ Ammunition

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Specs

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

Pros

• Reputable brand
• Inexpensive
• Comparable ballistics to some carry ammo
• Low recoil

Cons

• Not the cheapest 38 SPL ammo

Why We Chose It

For the best 38 Special training ammo, choose Blazer Brass 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ. Its FMJ offers similar flight characteristics to hollow point bullets of the same weight, and it’s inexpensive. You can spend all day at the range without selling your right arm.

CCI’s Blazer line of ammunition has a reputation for quality and dependable operation in all makes and models of firearms.

I like to train with the same ammo I plan on carrying, but that gets expensive. That’s why I compromise by training with range ammo that performs comparably to my carry loads, which is the case with Blazer’s 125 grain load.

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

This ammo isn’t without its 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 Semi-Jacketed Soft Point (SJSP).

But it's still cheaper than the ever-popular Federal American Eagle 38 Special 158gr 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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$21.99

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Specs

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

Pros

• Reasonably priced self-defense ammo
• High-quality components
• Reloadable

Cons

• Newer/lesser-known ammo company

Why We 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 is one of the most popular handgun bullets because it offers target shooters, hunters, and concealed carriers top-notch performance.

Underwood Ammo strives to keep 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're loaded with high-quality components like XTP bullets and nickel-plated brass cases. The XTP is a high-tech JHP. Its drawn copper jacket becomes progressively thinner toward its rim. That and its symmetrical notches help the XTP achieve wider expansion at lower velocities. The XTP’s rim is also fully jacketed, which prevents damage on impact that might have impaired subsequent expansion.

The biggest downside to these rounds is that Underwood is still a baby ammo company by its competitors’ standards. They simply haven’t had the time to build a positive reputation like Remington (with its Remington HTP 38 Special +P 125gr SJHP) or Winchester.

Even though Underwood is a relatively new company, their 38 Special +P 125 Grain XTP ammo is well worth ordering. It's reasonably priced, it boasts solid ballistics, and is loaded with quality components. You can count on these rounds when you need to.

Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special 158gr CNL - Honorable Mention

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

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$43.99

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Specs

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

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Accurate
• Reliable
• Reloadable

Cons

• Expensive
• Designed for target shooting and competition use, not self-defense

Why We Chose It

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

If you're into Cowboy Action Shooting, these are the rounds to stock up on. You're not likely to find a more accurate alternative. They also make excellent range loads.

However, I wouldn't use them for home defense. They're intended for competition use and lack the capacity for expansion, which (A) maximizes trauma to the threat, and (B) reduces risk of injury to innocent bystanders.

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 lead semi-wadcutter hollow point, aka “LSWCHP”).

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. Black Hills fully deserves their reputation for making accurate and reliable ammo!

How to Choose Ammo For Snubbies

I have a straightforward process when choosing ammo for my firearms. It's always based on the intended use, because that determines how you need your ammo to perform.

If you're having a fun day at the range, you don't need expensive hollow-point bullets. If you’re buying ammo for personal protection, then it’s just the opposite.

I elaborate my thought process for choosing the best ammo for snub nose revolvers based on the scenarios below.

Self-Defense

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 so you stop the bad guy quickly.

Price rarely comes into play when I'm buying self-defense ammo. I don't buy much of it or shoot a ton of it.

Training

Price matters a lot more for training, but I also need a bullet that matches the ballistic performance of my carry ammo as closely as possible.

I compromise by getting something close to what I carry, but much cheaper. That way I can afford to keep my skills sharp by shooting regularly. For a full breakdown of affordable range options, see our guide to the best 38 Special ammo for target practice.

Competition/Target Shooting

Most competitions have limitations on the ammo you can use, so you'll need to consult the rule book to see which rounds are permitted.

When target shooting for fun, I go with the cheapest ammo I can find. That way, I can put more rounds downrange.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ammo.com team has gathered and answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the best 38 Special ammo for snub nose revolvers.

What is the best ammo for a 38 snubbie?

The best ammo for a 38 snubbie is Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP because it's accurate and packs a punch.

What is the best grain for .38 Special?

The best grain for .38 Special is 125-grain because it's in the middle of the other .38 Special bullet weights.

What is the best .38 Special defense ammo?

The best .38 Special defense ammo is Speer 38 Special +P 125gr JHP because it's fast, accurate, and capable of quickly taking down a bad guy.

Is .38 Special +P good for self-defense?

Yes, .38 Special +P is good for self-defense, as long as you can handle the extra kick.

What is the best .38 Special ammo for a revolver?

The best .38 Special ammo for a revolver is Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP.

Parting Shots: Best 38 Special Ammo for Snubbies

Now that you've finished reading the best 38 Special ammo for snubbies, 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 snub nose revolver.

Written by

Wes Littlefield