It’s accurate. It has low recoil. It is proven to be effective for defense at close range. Many shooters love the 38 Special 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
| Best Overall | Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP | Jump To Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best Self-Defense | Speer 38 Special +P 125gr JHP | Jump To Details |
| Best Training | Blazer 38 Special 125 Grain FMJ | Jump To Details |
| Best Hollow Point | Underwood 38 Special +P 125-Grain XTP | Jump To Details |
| Honorable Mention | Black Hills Ammunition 38 Special 158gr CNL | Jump To Details |
Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special +P 110gr JHP - Best Overall
Specs
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Case: Brass
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Bullet Type: Flex Tip eXpanding (FTX) Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
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Bullet Weight: 110 grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 1,090 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 290 ft-lbs
Pros
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Trusted Brand
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Technologically advanced bullet design
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Fast
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Hard hitting
Cons
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Expensive
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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.
Continue reading Best 38 Special Ammo for Snubbies: Self-Defense and Range Day Ammo on Ammo.com