Many shooters love the 38 Special because its accurate and low recoil defense rounds have been proven to stop threats at close range. Combine that with a snubnose revolver, and you have the recipe for an excellent concealed carry firearm.
So, what is the best 38 Special ammo for snubbies? I’m glad you asked!
Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best overall, thanks to the unique hollow point Hornday has developed.
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
- Speer 38 Special +P 125gr JHP – Best Self-Defense
- Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ – Best Training
- Underwood 38 Special +P 125-Grain XTP – Best Hollow Point
- Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special 158gr CNL – Honorable Mention
Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP – Best Overall
Specs
- Casing: Brass
- Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (FTX)
- 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, uses a special bullet, and hits the target hard and fast.
The bad guys won’t know what hit them!
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 remained incredibly accurate in various firearms.
That’s thanks in part to the specialized FTX bullet that Hornady uses. A polymer tip sits inside the jacketed hollow point to increase accuracy and aid in expansion. This means you don’t have to worry about over-penetration when engaging a threat.
The 110gr FTX bullet is also very fast when you pair it with + P ammo, which translates to more accuracy and energy to dump into the target when it hits. This gives the round more knockdown power than standard pressure self-defense ammo.
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 round is expensive. It’s not a round I take to the range and punch holes in paper with, that’s for sure!
However, it’s not even the most expensive 38 Special round on the market, Winchester PDX1 Defender 38 Special 130gr JHP is even more costly and doesn’t come close to matching the muzzle velocity of Hornady Critical Defense.
The other thing is for those that 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 shooting it from her short-barrel handgun.
If that’s you, 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 much more manageable.
Even with the drawbacks, Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP is the best 38 Special ammo for snubbies overall because it’s accurate, fast, and has the needed knockdown power to stop a dangerous threat.
Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125gr JHP – Best .38 Self-Defense Ammo for Snubbies
Specs
- Casing: Nickel-plated Brass
- Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point
- Bullet Weight: 125 grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 945 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 248 ft-lbs
Pros
- Trusted by law enforcement
- Speer uses high-quality materials
- Solid ballistics
- Reasonable price
Cons
- A little snappy due to the increased pressure
Why We Chose It
Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 125-grain JHP is the best 38 SPL self-defense ammo because it’s trusted by law enforcement officers across the US. Whenever I ask a law enforcement buddy, “What ammo do you prefer to shoot?”, Speer Gold Dot is at the top of the list.
Speer Gold Dot ammo is loaded with high-quality components. So, when you pull the trigger, you know it will go bang and hit where you’re aiming—two fundamental aspects of self-defense.
Another reason Speer Gold Dot uses excellent materials is because it gives its ammo solid ballistics that meet or exceed the FBI load standards for bullet penetration into ballistics gelatin regarding personal defense ammunition.
For me, the most surprising thing about this Speer ammo is the price. It was incredibly low compared to Remington Golden Saber and Federal Hydra-Shok Deep 38 Special +P 130gr JHP, which replaced Federal HST in its lineup.
My biggest complaint about the Speer Gold Dot 38 SPL +P 125gr JHP rounds is that they’re a little snappy (lots of recoil) when shot from a snub nose 38 Special revolver like a S&W J-frame. This is expected when you’re shooting +P ammo, though.
Overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to load Speer Gold Dot 38 SPL +P 125gr JHP into my grandpa’s Ruger 357 Magnum or S&W 38 Special revolvers for self-defense purposes because it’s accurate, hard-hitting, and ultra-reliable.
Blazer 38 Special 125gr FMJ – Best .38 Training Ammo for Snubbies
Specs
- Casing: Brass
- Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
- Bullet Weight: 125 grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 865 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 208 ft-lbs
Pros
- Reputable ammo 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 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ because the full metal jacket lead bullets have similar flight characteristics to hollow point bullets in similar weights, and they’re inexpensive. That means you can spend all day at the range without selling your right arm.
CCI Blazer has a reputation for making quality ammunition for all scenarios at an affordable price, including training for self-defense situations.
Generally, I like to train with the ammo I plan to carry, but that gets expensive. So, I’ll supplement my carry ammo with rounds that have similar ballistics, which is the case with this Blazer 125-grain bullet.
Another thing I love about these rounds is the low recoil, so your hands won’t get sore after shooting hundreds of these rounds from a revolver with a short 2-inch barrel.
However, you must also deal with the drawbacks to get the benefits of these rounds. The biggest is that Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ costs more than Magtech 38 Special 158gr Lead Round Nose (LRN bullets) and Sellier and Bellot 38 Special 158gr, which has a flat nose soft lead bullet.
But it’s still cheaper than the ever-popular Federal American Eagle 38 Special 158-Grain LRN.
So, 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 because 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
Specs
- Casing: Nickel-plated Brass
- Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (XTP)
- 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 uses one of the best hollow point bullets on the market, the XTP. The eXtreme Terminal Performance bullets are one of the most popular handgun bullets because they offer target shooters, hunters, and concealed carriers top-notch performance.
Underwood Ammunition strives to keep its 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 using high-quality materials like the XTP bullets and nickel-plated brass casings.
Another great thing about Underwood using the best components is that its cases are reloadable. So, if you ever get the itch to reload a few rounds, you can with the nickel-plated brass casings and Boxer primers.
Honestly, the biggest downside to these rounds is that Underwood Ammo is still a baby ammo company by its competitor’s standards. So, it hasn’t had the time to build a positive reputation like Remington with its Remington HTP 38 Special +P 125gr SJHP or Winchester.
Even though it’s a relatively new company, Underwood 38 Special +P 125-Grain XTP is worth ordering because it’s reasonably priced with solid ballistics, and Underwood uses quality components, so you know you can count on these rounds if needed.
Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special 158gr CNL – Honorable Mention
Specs
- Casing: Brass
- Bullet Type: Conical Nose Lead
- Bullet Weight: 158 grains
- Muzzle Velocity: 800 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 225 ft-lbs
Pros
- Trusted ammo 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 because Black Hills Ammunition is synonymous with accuracy, reliability, and consistency in the shooting industry.
If you’re into Cowboy Action Shooting with your Colt revolver, these are the rounds to stock up on since you’re not likely to find a more accurate bullet than these. They also make excellent range day loads because they’re reloadable, which helps reduce the overall cost in the end.
Since Black Hills Ammo uses the best materials for their rounds, you can count on them to go bang and hit the spot where you’re aiming when you pull the trigger.
However, I wouldn’t use them for home defense because they’re intended for competition use, so the bullet is more prone to over-penetration.
Even though they’re more expensive than many other Cowboy Action and target loads like Sellier and 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 or 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 because Black Hills is known for producing 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 it 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, 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.
Self-Defense
In a self-defense situation with a gun that has a short barrel length, 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 because I don’t buy much of it or shoot a ton of it.
Training
The 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.
So, I often must compromise and get something close to what I carry but much cheaper to shoot regularly so my skills stay sharp.
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 team at Ammo.com has taken the time to gather and answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the best 38 Special ammo for snubnose 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 snubnose revolver.
Best 38 Special Ammo for Snubbies: Self-Defense and Range Day Ammo originally appeared in The Resistance Library at Ammo.com.
When I shoot my S&W M&P 340 Snubbie at the range I wear my bicycle 38gloves with the padded palms, it takes some of the sting out of shooting the little monster. 38SPL+P has got some kick to it.
Short-barreled .38 revolvers are still a viable self defense weapon. The controls are easy to operate and simple to understand, even for rank beginners. Easy to load, easy to clear / show clear. No remembering slide locks, mag releases, safeties. No strength needed to cycle the action or load magazines.
And since the objective of defensive pistol is to get hits, you can practice relatively cheaply (but not with 158gr Black Hills stuff, wtf) to grow your skills and confidence. And IMO you don’t have to use / carry +P ammo, it is quite jarring from a snubby and might not be good for beginners.
GET HITS.
“Two hits with a .22 are better than a miss with a .44”
Defensive use of firearms ain’t like the movies. In most cases yu have no need to reload .
It is all over in a flash. Revolvers are simple and as safe as a gun can be . When they misfire you just pull the trigger again. A very good option for most people.
They are a little bulky.
I keep the Hornaday in my Ruger 38, which I love. The downside is only 5 shots but I hate loading magazines so I guess I better shoot straight with my 38, huh?
+P loads are fine in a Ruger SP101 because it’s heavy as a brick. I tend to carry a Smith Bodyguard. I simply can’t handle the recoil of +P loads without loss of accuracy.
Mine is an LCR . The recoil is minimal because of the way it’s constructed.
https://ruger.com/products/lcr/overview.html
158 gr. wadcutters K.I.S.S.
I have some of those, too.
Yup, those work. They are usually going slower than 700 fps, so recoil remains mild. Their effectiveness is very under rated.
All this specialty BS.
Just stock and use standard, Affordable, 158 grain
lead semi wadcutter hollow points.
Aim well and hit your mark.
If you want . 357 magnum ballistics buy one not a . 38 special.
You can’t make an ankle biter a pit bull.
My petite wife is not a gun person, but ten years ago I bought her a colt .38 sub nose and a Remington 20 gauge with a pistol grip…and reasoned her (as my back up) into shooting both.
It went well. The pistol grip on the shotgun really helped her control it.
She was especially shocked and then pleased when she saw the damage on the target she did with the 20 gage.
I only use real human sized bad guy targets to get her use to shooting at a threatening human with a face. There is tremendous psychology behind that. There is a book ‘On Killing’ that has much research about it.
We have a drill…if she is ever in this situation and the bad guy is telling me to drop my gun or he is going to kill her, I am going to look panicked and scream out her middle name (that I never use) and she is to immediately jerk down as forcefully as she can…because I’m taking the shot.
She watches me practice at this target at various short distances (and other targets like it) and 95% of the time I’m in his head/face/neck…but when I’m not and hit the woman I point out to her if the woman in the target had jerked down after the code word was shouted…she would be ok.
It made a big impression on her.
She hate automatics…but is good with the subbie.
A 60 something white haired woman we know was in the parking lot of a mall, and as she came up to her car two thuggish looking late teens came walking fast up to her. She was alert, pulled out her .38 subbie and leveled it at them. Both put their hands up low and started back peddling…not a word was said. I made sure my wife is well trained in situational awareness.
Here are many bad guy targets…hmmm…only to blacks and they are not threatening…52% of the targets should have been young black males. Blacks are 12% of the population and young males about 8%….and committing 52% of the murders. But it looks like two hispanics made the cut! Those bad guy white dudes are everywhere!
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=pictures+of+bad+guy+targets&t=brave&iax=images&ia=images
Nothing wrong with carrying a .38 snubby for self defense.However,i have found that .38+P to be very unpleasant to shoot.