Best 38 Special Ammo For Target Practice Precision Shooting

What Is The Best 38 Special Ammo For Target Practice Shooting?

The venerable .38 Special (also known as .38 Spl and .38 S&W Special) has been around for well over one hundred years, and it’s still going strong at the range.

Since its introduction in 1898, the .38 Spl has gained a reputation as a versatile, accurate cartridge. It has light recoil – especially when fired out of a .357 Magnum revolver. It is a great option for everything from casual target shooting and plinking to serious handgun competition, including IDPA, USPSA, Steel Challenge, and Cowboy Action events. The 38 Special has alsobeen fielded by major law enforcement offices and the FBI. You can find everyone from serious pros to casual backyard shooters using this round due to its accuracy and ease of shooting.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Accurate
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• Light recoil
• Readily available in a wide variety of firearms
• Compatible with .357 Magnum revolvers and rifles
• Suitable for self-defense
• Great for novice handloaders

Cons:

• Mostly a revolver cartridge, with a few carbine options
• Almost zero semi-automatic firearms are chambered for it
• Less powerful than other self-defense cartridges, such as 9mm and .45 ACP

Best 38 Special Ammo For Target Practice

1. Ammo Inc. .38 Special 125 Grain TMJ
2. Fiocchi .38 Special 130 Grain FMJ
3. Speer Lawman .38 Special 125 Grain TMJ
4. Winchester .38 Special 130 Grain FMJ

Ammo Inc. 125 Grain TMJ

Ammo Inc. 38 Special Ammo - 1000 Rounds of 125 Grain TMJ Ammunition

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$489.99

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Specs:

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Total Metal Jacket
• Bullet Weight: 125 Grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 947 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 249 ft-lbs

Our top recommendation is Ammo Inc. 125gr total metal jacket (TMJ) ammunition. This round uses a soft lead projectile completely wrapped in a copper jacket. The TMJ cannot emit lead vapor, and therefore minimizes fouling inside the barrel and the shooter's own exposure to toxic gas.

This is a fairly high-velocity round for .38 Special. The projectile is on the lighter side, and ought to exhibit a flat trajectory as a result. Out of a lever-action carbine, you might as well be shooting a .22 for all you’ll feel at the shoulder.

The ammo is loaded to very high standards and features high-quality brass cases that are a dream to reload (or can be sold to those who do). It’s also available in bulk quantities that significantly reduce the cost per round, which is excellent for high-volume target shooters and competitors who want low recoil and high quality.

Fiocchi .38 Special 130 Grain FMJ

Fiocchi 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 130 Grain FMJ Ammunition

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$29.99

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Specs:

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 950 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 260 ft-lbs

Our next pick for target shooting, plinking, and casual competition is Fiocchi 38 Special ammo 130 grain FMJ.

This is a reliably accurate round that has proven itself in the field of competition, and is also beloved by plinkers. It’s ideally suited for everything from casual target shooting to training for self-defense. It performs especially well out of carbines, too.

This is an excellent option for high-performance target shooting, as well as anyone looking to get the most out of their ammo without breaking the bank, especially if you’re buying Fiocchi 38 Special ammo to avoid burning through all your more expensive .357 magnum ammo.

Speer Lawman .38 Special 125 Grain TMJ

Speer Lawman 38 Special Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain TMJ Ammunition

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$25.99

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Specs:

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
• Bullet Weight: 125 Grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 865 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 208 ft-lbs

If you want something even lighter in the recoil department, Speer Lawman is a great option in 125 grain TMJ. All Speer ammo is known for being extremely high quality. The Lawman line is no exception.

This ammo is explicitly optimized for training, and features a total metal jacket projectile that keeps lead exposure to a minimum and makes cleaning your gun less of a hassle – two big bonuses for high-volume shooters.

Recoil is light, allowing you to focus on your trigger control and sight alignment, and the ammo is affordable enough to fire it all day without hurting your wallet too terribly. As anyone familiar with Speer ammo knows its immaculate cases are excellent for reloading.

Winchester .38 Special 130 Grain FMJ

Winchester 38 Special Ammo - 100 Rounds of 130 Grain FMJ Ammunition

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$49.99

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Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain
• Muzzle Velocity: 800 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 185 ft-lbs

No list of the best target ammo for the .38 Special would be complete without including good old Winchester "white box."

This time-tested and beloved ammo isn’t the most accurate or the most powerful stuff around. What it is is some of the most affordable ammo that’s still reliable. It’s perfect for training, plinking, and just having fun at the range.

It's easy to get caught up in a game of number chasing where you hunt for the ammo with the best "this" or the best "that." Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to do. But other times, you need an affordable, readily available ammo option that you can pick up when you want to blast Coke cans off a berm. Winchester's standard FMJ ammo, packaged in its iconic white, is one of the best choices for that kind of shooting. I’ll always recommend it.

For more options, check out our Winchester 38 Special ammo page!

Top Types Of Bullets For 38 Special Target Practice

When it comes to projectile types, there are a large number of options out there for the .38 Special. So many, in fact, that it can be a bit difficult to choose the best one for your target shooting needs.

For example, the actual projectile choice doesn't matter as much if you’re shooting at steel targets for something like Steel Challenge.

For something like Cowboy Action, or other events where your exact shot placement and distance from the center are sometimes measured, something like a wadcutter round that leaves nice, clean holes in paper targets might be preferred.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of common bullet types and their best uses.

A Note About .38 Special Case Types

Three types of cases are commonly available for the 38 Special: steel, brass, and nickel-plated brass.

Steel is the cheapest option, and the one with the most downsides. It can’t be reloaded at home. It also expands during ignition without contracting back to its original dimensions afteward, which can cause it to get stuck in the chamber. If a steel case isn't coated (e.g. with lacquer or nickel plating), then it’s prone to corrosion.

Brass is the most common case, and the one we recommend for most target shooting. It provides a low coefficient of friction (though not the lowest), so even high-pressure +P ammo usually extracts with no need for hammering the ejector rod. It is also easily reloaded at home with a basic setup.

Nickel-plated vbrass the most expensive by a decent margin. Nickel is relatively pricey, as is the electroplating process that plates it onto the exterior of a brass casing, but it also has the lowest coefficient of friction. This makes nickel-plated brass the go-to option for self-defense and high-end competition/target ammo. It’s a bit overkill for casual target shooting or plinking, and is more finicky to reload as well. We have a whole breakdown of nickel vs, brass casings if you want to know more.

Important Factors To Consider When Buying 38 Special Ammunition For Target Practice

Accuracy

Accuracy is a must when it comes to target ammo, especially if you’re doing any competition or serious training. Fortunately, modern ammo manufacturing has advanced to such a degree that even cheap ammo can be relied on to hit what you’re aiming at.

That said, some ammo is more accurate than others. You'll pay more for it, but you will rationalize the expense by devoting a small yet enjoyable part of your life to firing high-precision 9mm target ammo.

Ballistic Performance

Speaking of performance, the actual ballistic performance of your ammo does matter here. Sure, you’re probably just punching holes in paper or ringing steel. But if you have to reach out to any kind of range – or hit with enough force to knock over a steel target – it's something to think about.

In general, most .38 Special ammo is a bit underpowered compared to 9mm, and definitely underpowered compared to any round that starts with “.4”. You can squeeze a touch more power into 38 Special revolver by purchasing +P ammo, which is loaded to a higher-than-standard chamber pressure. Make certian only to fire overpressure ammo in +P rated handguns. (Any 357 Magnum firearm can also fire 38 Special +P. It's designed to fire substantially more powerful ammo than that.)

Price

Consider the cost of your target ammo carefully. Avoid firing premium defense loads at the range (unless you are specifically trying to familiarize yourself with their performance). Instead, embrace the cost savings of plain-Jane FMJ ammo.

Since we are talking about pricing, don't forget to check out some of our top rated PMC 38 Special ammo for more options.

Most modern .38 Special ammo from reputable brands is more accurate than the average shooter firing it, so you don’t have to worry. Unless you’re Wyatt Earp (in which case you’re probably looking for a .38 Long Colt, not .38 Special), you can have faith that most target ammo will be accurate enough for you.

Availability

The 38 Special is one of the most popular revolver cartridges on the planet, and has been so for over one century. The only time it might become unavailable is during the worst part of an ammo drought (such as the one that rocked the ammo-loving world in 2020).

Quality Components

The quality of the powder, bullet, casing, and primer all play a role in how well your ammo will perform at the range. Better casing materials feed and extract better; the higher-quality powder will burn cleaner and to consistent results; quality primers will ignite reliably fast and hot.

Customer Reviews

If you are still unsure, reading customer reviews online can be a great way to narrow your choices down. I recommend checking not just a manufacturer’s website but other general gun forums as well, as these are often where you’ll find the most in-depth and unbiased reviews.

Target Shooting At Different Locations

In some cases, you will need to consider where you’ll be shooting when you’re picking up ammo.

For example, many shooting ranges on public lands, as well as quite a few private ranges, are banning lead ammunition. You may need a jacketed round instead of LRN or lead wadcutter rounds, or you might need lead-free ammo entirely.

Check your local regulations and the regs of the range you’re going to before you shoot to find out exactly what you need.

Beyond that, you’ll probably want to tailor your ammo choice to the type of shooting you’ll be doing more than the location.

How To Maintain Your .38 Special For Top Performance

Most .38 Special guns are revolvers or lever actions. These old-school guns are easy to use and easy to maintain for the same reason: they're simply designed (relative to semi-autos, at least).

On the revolver side of things, regular chamber cleanings can help with extraction issues, especially if you’re shooting cheaper steel-cased ammo. There’s nothing wrong with this budget ammo, and it won’t damage your gun, but the casings cause more friction than their brass counterparts. They also expand during ignition, and lack the elasticity they would need to contract back to form. This can make extracting fired rounds difficult, slows down your reloads, is unfun at best, and is downright dangerous in a life-or-death situation.

No matter what ammo you’re using, it's essential to store it properly and to check it carefully before you shoot. Any excessive tarnishing, corrosion, or improperly seated bullet means the round shouldn't be fired.

A dehumidifier, or at the very least some silica gel packets, will go a long way toward keeping your ammo corrosion free and as slick as possible, which will aid feeding and extraction.

An airtight container with silica packets inside is usually plenty, especially if you shoot a lot.

There are basic things like ensuring your revolver's timing is correct and everything is indexing properly. Revolvers rarely go wrong, but when they do, they can cause serious issues, so ensuring the chamber is aligned correctly with the barrel is a good step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Ammo Do You Use For Target Practice?

Unless you’re training for competition or defense, it’s generally best to use affordable full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo for general target shooting. For carry or competition, you should try to train with something as close as possible to the ammo you plan to carry or compete with.

Does Buffalo Bore Ammunition Suit a .38 Special?

Buffalo Bore makes a wide variety of ammo, usually high-powered hunting and defensive loads. Buffalo Bore is a solid option if your .38 Special is rated for the pressures of the ammo in question (i.e. +P).

Can You Use The Same .38 Special Ammo For Target Shooting and Personal Defense?

Generally, target ammo is loaded with FMJ projectiles that don't expand upon striking body mass. This makes it a considerably worse option than purpose-built defense ammo, which features expanding hollow point projectiles. You want terminal expansion for defense. It maximizes trauma to the target, and reduces the risk of over-penetration that could threaten innocent bystanders.

Can You Use .38 Special FMJ Ammo For Target Shooting?

Yes! Full metal jacket ammo around 125-130 grains offers outstanding characteristics for target shooting. Heavier 158 grain lead round nose and wadcutter rounds are both popular as well.

Can a .38 Special Use Gold Dot (Bonded) Ammo For Target Practice?

You can, but it will get expensive quickly. While there's no reason you can’t use bonded core ammo like Speer Gold Dot for target practice, it's a bit overkill for putting holes through paper or ringing steel. The exception will be if you’re carrying this type of ammo for self-defense.

In that case, you'll probably want to become comfortable with its performance. You probably won't want to have the majority of your training with expensive, purpose-built defensive ammo like Gold Dot.

What Is The Best Grain Bullet For a .38 Special Revolver?

Most defensive rounds are loaded with 125 grain jacketed hollow point bullets (1 grain = 1/437.5 oz.). A grain weight of 125 strikes a good balance of penetration and expansion and relatively tame felt recoil.

For target shooting, it will come down to preference, but 130 grain FMJ and 158 grain wadcutter rounds are popular, affordable, and very effective.

Can a .38 Special Stop An Attacker?

Absolutely. The venerable .38 Special is a time-tested, field-proven round for stopping a human threat or medium game. Modern defensive loads, with advanced powder and JHP projectiles, have only increased its effectiveness in these realms.

These self-defense rounds will have more "stopping power" than the non-expanding .38 Special rounds we've gone over today, so be sure to check out our list of the best .38 special self-defense rounds if you’re looking for something with better terminal performance than standard pressure ball ammo.

Spoiler: Hornady XTP and Remington Golden Saber will do much better than anything on this list at stopping an attacker.

For more ammo options, don't forget to check our Remington 38 Special ammo page.

What Is The Effective Range Of A .38 Special?

A .38 Special can travel more than 1 mile if fired at or around a 45-degree angle. Its real-world effectiveness is much shorter. For defensive use, the effective range of a .38 Special is about 50 yards. Beyond that range, it's unlikely to produce the "desired result" (in this case, neutralizing an enemy).

Then again, you have some people like Jerry Miculek who can get hits with a snub-nose .38 Special at 200 yards…fired upside down.

Parting Shots

Now that you know what the best 38 Special ammo for target shooting is, be sure to check out our wide-selection of .38 Spl ammunition at Ammo.com.

Written by

Matt Collins