What Are the Current .38 Special Ammo Prices?
| Product Line | Type | Grain | Use Case | Typical CPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magtech .38 Spl | FMJ | 130gr | Range / Training | $0.20—0.30 |
| Blazer Brass .38 | FMJ | 130gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.32 |
| Federal American Eagle .38 | FMJ | 130gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.34 |
| Winchester White Box .38 | FMJ | 130gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.34 |
| Sellier & Bellot .38 | FMJ | 158gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.32 |
| Remington UMC .38 | FMJ | 130gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.32 |
| Federal HST .38 +P | JHP | 130gr | Self-Defense | $0.55—0.90 |
| Speer Gold Dot .38 +P | JHP | 135gr | Self-Defense / LE | $0.50—0.85 |
| Hornady Critical Defense .38 | FTX | 110gr | Self-Defense | $0.55—0.90 |
| Federal Wadcutter | WC | 148gr | Target / Bullseye | $0.30—0.45 |
What .38 Special Ammo Types Are Available?
- .38 Special FMJ / Range ammo — 130gr and 158gr full metal jacket for training and practice
- .38 Special +P Defense loads — Higher-pressure JHP loads for concealed carry revolvers
- .38 Special Hollow Point / JHP — Standard and +P expanding defense loads
- .38 Special Wadcutter — 148gr target loads for bullseye and precision revolver shooting
How Much Does .38 Special Ammo Cost Per Round in 2026?
The .38 Special is the budget revolver caliber — and the reason .357 Magnum revolvers are so practical. Every .357 Mag revolver fires .38 Special, giving you cheap range ammo and powerful carry ammo in the same gun.
FMJ range ammo runs $0.20—0.34 per round for 130gr loads from Magtech, Blazer Brass, and Federal American Eagle. This is significantly cheaper than .357 Magnum ($0.35—0.52/rd) and competitive with 9mm FMJ pricing. For revolver shooters, .38 Special FMJ is the go-to range round regardless of whether your gun is chambered in .38 or .357.
Wadcutter target loads are a unique segment at $0.30—0.45/rd. The 148gr wadcutter is a flat-nosed lead bullet that cuts clean holes in paper — essential for bullseye competition scoring. Federal Gold Medal and Remington UMC wadcutters are the standard. Some self-defense instructors recommend wadcutters as a low-recoil defensive option for shooters who struggle with recoil.
+P defense loads run $0.45—1.00 per round and are the critical segment for concealed carry revolver shooters. Standard .38 Special operates at lower pressures and velocities that make reliable JHP expansion difficult from short barrels. .38 Special +P loads add 10—15% more velocity, which is often enough to achieve consistent expansion. Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P Short Barrel is specifically designed for snub-nose revolvers and is arguably the best-performing .38 Special defense load available.
Standard vs. +P in older revolvers: .38 Special +P ammunition generates higher chamber pressures than standard loads. Most modern revolvers handle +P fine, but some older lightweight-frame guns (pre-1960s S&W Airweight, vintage Colt Detective Special) may not be rated for sustained +P use. Check your owner's manual. All .357 Magnum revolvers handle .38 +P with zero concerns.
.38 Special vs .357 Magnum — The Training Duo
The .38 Special / .357 Magnum combination is the most cost-effective revolver setup in the market. Load .38 Special for practice at $0.20—0.30/rd, switch to .357 Mag JHP for carry at $0.55—1.00/rd. The recoil difference is dramatic — .38 Special from a steel-frame revolver is genuinely pleasant to shoot, while .357 Magnum from a lightweight snub-nose is punishing. Most instructors recommend practicing with .38 Special and carrying .357 Mag or .38 +P.
Grain Weight by Use Case
A quick reference for matching .38 Special grain weight and pressure level to intended use. The +P versus standard-pressure distinction matters more than grain weight for older revolvers — verify your gun's rating before buying +P.
| Use case | Recommended load | Why |
|---|---|---|
| J-frame snub-nose carry | 135gr +P JHP (Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel) | Purpose-built for 1.875"–2" barrels; most reliable expansion at snub velocity. |
| Service revolver carry (4"+ barrel) | 130gr +P JHP (Federal HST, Hornady Critical Defense) | Full +P expansion potential from longer barrels. |
| Range training | 130gr or 158gr FMJ (Magtech, Blazer Brass, American Eagle) | Cheapest brass-cased range fodder; works in any .38 or .357 revolver. |
| Bullseye / target competition | 148gr wadcutter (Federal Gold Medal, Remington UMC) | Cuts clean scoring rings; soft recoil; standard for NRA bullseye matches. |
| Older or lightweight revolvers (pre-1970s, alloy frames) | Standard-pressure 158gr lead RN or LSWC | Avoids +P pressure on guns not rated for it; verify owner's manual. |
| .38/.357 dual-caliber training | .38 Special 130gr FMJ for practice; .357 Mag JHP for carry | Same grip and sights, dramatically lower cost-per-round for skill drills. |
.38 Special Market Trends
The .38 Special market is large and stable. Revolver sales have remained steady despite semi-auto dominance, driven by concealed carry demand for small revolvers (S&W J-frames, Ruger LCR) and the enduring popularity of medium-frame .38/.357 revolvers. All major manufacturers maintain full product lines. Pricing has been stable since 2024 with good availability across all load types.
.38 Special Ammo Brands — Federal, Speer, Hornady & More
- Federal — American Eagle range ammo, HST +P defense, Gold Medal wadcutter. Complete .38 lineup.
- Speer — Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr +P. The gold standard for snub-nose carry ammo.
- Hornady — Critical Defense FTX. Designed for reliable expansion at .38 Special velocities.
- Winchester — White Box range ammo and PDX1 defense. Classic revolver brand.
- CCI — Blazer Brass .38. Budget brass-cased range ammo.
- Magtech — Cheapest brass-cased .38 FMJ consistently. High-volume range pick.
- Remington — UMC range loads and Golden Saber +P defense.
Where to Buy .38 Special Ammo Online
- Lucky Gunner — Fast shipping, deep revolver caliber inventory
- Target Sports USA — Free shipping on case quantities for members
- Palmetto State Armory — Frequent sales on handgun ammo
- MidwayUSA — Wide selection across all brands and bullet types
- Sportsman's Warehouse — Online and in-store pickup options
Caliber Comparisons
- 9mm vs .38 Special — Semi-auto vs revolver, platform trade-offs, and surprisingly close pricing
Related Calibers — .357 Mag, 9mm, .380 ACP
- .357 Magnum — Same cylinder, dramatically more power. The upgrade path for any .38 Special revolver owner.
- 9mm — The semi-auto equivalent. Similar cost per round, much higher capacity in semi-auto platforms.
- .380 ACP — Micro-compact semi-auto alternative for pocket carry. Less power than .38 +P.
- .45 ACP — Big-bore semi-auto. Different platform, similar energy to .38 +P but much heavier bullets.
- .22 LR — Budget training alternative with minimal recoil. Many revolver shooters train with .22 LR trainer guns.