The first revolver I ever fired was my grandpa’s 38 S&W Special. Ever since that day, I’ve had a soft spot for revolvers, especially the 38 Special. I’ve taken his 38 Special revolver to the range many times since that fateful day to test how various types of ammunition perform and hone my skills. The list below is a selection of my (and other ammo experts’) favorite ammo for target shooting.
Best 38 Special Ammo for Target Practice
Remington 158 Grain LRN
Specs:
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Case: Brass
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Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose
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Bullet Weight: 158 Grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 755 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 200 ft-lbs
Pros:
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Trusted brand
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Reliable
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Reasonably priced
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Mimics self-defense loads well
Cons:
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Some indoor gun ranges won’t allow it due to lead vapors
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Heavier recoil than lighter bullets
Why I Chose It
My top recommendation is Remington UMC 158 grain LRN because it’s made by a trusted brand, reasonably priced, and performs similarly to many self-defense rounds. I’ve used Remington ammo for decades and have generally been pleased. The UMC line is one that I find myself returning to time and again because it’s a great target ammo.
I know that when I head to the range, I won’t leave deeply in debt because Remington UMC is reasonably priced and very comparable to other range-day options without sacrificing performance and reliability.
Knowing that my practice loads don’t differ much from my self-defense loads also eases the financial burden of training. However, it also gives me confidence that if the need arises, I can make my few shots count.
Despite singing the praises of Remington UMC 158 grain LRN, it’s not perfect. In fact, I found a couple of reasons not to buy it. The first reason is for indoor shooters. The lead round nose bullets will produce lead vapors, which are dangerous in enclosed environments. Many indoor shooting ranges don’t allow them because they’re harmful.
The other is less significant, but heavier bullets tend to recoil more than lightweight bullets. If you’re recoil-sensitive, then I suggest choosing another option from below.
Overall, Remington UMC 158 grain LRN ammo is the best choice for target practice.
Fiocchi 38 Special 130 Grain FMJ
Specs:
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Case: Brass
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Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
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Bullet Weight: 130 Grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 950 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 260 ft-lbs
Pros:
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Trusted brand
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Accurate
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Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Less than ideal for competition (but still usable)
Why I Chose It
My next pick for target shooting, plinking, and casual competition is Fiocchi 38 Special 130 grain FMJ ammo.
I’ve always found Fiocchi to be reliably accurate. It has proven itself in competition, and is also beloved by plinkers (like myself). It’s ideally suited for everything from casual target shooting to self-defense training.
It performs especially well out of carbines, too.
This is a decent 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 to avoid burning through more expensive 357 Magnum ammo).
Continue reading Best 38 Special Ammo for Target Practice and Precision Shooting in 2026 on Ammo.com
https://ammo.com/best/best-38-special-ammo-for-target-practice#speer-lawman-38-special-125gr-tmj
