Shop .38 Special Ammo From Reliable Retailers
| Product / Ballistic Profile | Rounds | Base Price & CPR | Shipping / Surcharge | True Landed CPR | Total Delivered | Retailer Trust | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 |
$34.99
$1.75 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$2.55
/ rd
|
$50.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$34.99
$1.75 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$2.55
/ rd
|
$50.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection Brass .38 Special+P 135-Grain 20-Rounds HP
135gr
Nickel-Plated Brass
|
20 |
$35.19
$1.76 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.99 Shipped |
$2.41
/ rd
|
$48.18
Delivered Total
|
verified
Grab A Gun
★ 4.4
(3,329k reviews)
|
|
| 20 |
$35.21
$1.76 / rd
|
local_shipping $19.36 Shipped |
$2.73
/ rd
|
$54.57
Delivered Total
|
verified
True Shot Ammo
★ 4.5
(1,314k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$35.49
$1.77 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$2.57
/ rd
|
$51.49
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
CCI BIG 4
100gr
Aluminum
|
10 |
$17.99
$1.80 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.99 Shipped |
$3.30
/ rd
|
$32.98
Delivered Total
|
verified
Guns Com
★ 4.6
(40,778k reviews)
|
|
Underwood Ammo Semi Wadcutter Nickel Plated Brass .38 Special +P 158 Grain 20-Rounds SWCHP
158gr
Nickel-Plated Brass
|
20 |
$36.19
$1.81 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.99 Shipped |
$2.46
/ rd
|
$49.18
Delivered Total
|
verified
Grab A Gun
★ 4.4
(3,329k reviews)
|
|
| 20 |
$36.19
$1.81 / rd
|
local_shipping $10.68 Shipped |
$2.34
/ rd
|
$46.87
Delivered Total
|
Palmetto State Armory
★ 4.2
(5,326k reviews)
|
||
Federal Premium .38 Special 110 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP (Box)
110gr
Nickel-Plated Brass
|
20 |
$36.49
$1.82 / rd
|
error Shipping Info Unavailable |
$1.82
/ rd
|
$36.49
|
verified
Ammunition Depot
★ 4.8
(1,096k reviews)
|
|
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 Special +P 135 gr 20 Rounds Ammunition - 23921GD
135gr
Nickel-Plated Brass
|
20 |
$36.69
$1.83 / rd
|
local_shipping $10.68 Shipped |
$2.37
/ rd
|
$47.37
Delivered Total
|
Palmetto State Armory
★ 4.2
(5,326k reviews)
|
|
| 20 |
$36.99
$1.85 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.99 Shipped |
$2.50
/ rd
|
$49.98
Delivered Total
|
verified
Grab A Gun
★ 4.4
(3,329k reviews)
|
||
Underwood Ammo Xtreme Defender .38 SPL 100 Grain 20-Rounds CS
100gr
Nickel-Plated Brass
|
20 |
$37.09
$1.85 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.99 Shipped |
$2.50
/ rd
|
$50.08
Delivered Total
|
verified
Grab A Gun
★ 4.4
(3,329k reviews)
|
|
| 200 |
$369.99
$1.85 / rd
|
local_shipping Free Ship above $100 |
$1.85
/ rd
|
$369.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 200 |
$369.99
$1.85 / rd
|
local_shipping Free Ship above $100 |
$1.85
/ rd
|
$369.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$37.99
$1.90 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.00 Shipped |
$2.50
/ rd
|
$49.99
Delivered Total
|
Remington
★ 4.5
(0k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$37.99
$1.90 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.00 Shipped |
$2.50
/ rd
|
$49.99
Delivered Total
|
Federal Premium
★ 3.4
(57k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$37.99
$1.90 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.00 Shipped |
$2.50
/ rd
|
$49.99
Delivered Total
|
Federal Premium
★ 3.4
(57k reviews)
|
||
Underwood 38 Special +P Ammo 158 Grain Semi-Wadcutter Box of 20
158gr
Nickel Plated
|
20 |
$37.99
$1.90 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$2.70
/ rd
|
$53.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
|
| 20 |
$38.49
$1.92 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$2.72
/ rd
|
$54.49
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$38.78
$1.94 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.95 Shipped |
$2.69
/ rd
|
$53.73
Delivered Total
|
verified
BattleHawk Armory
★ 4.5
(1,573k reviews)
|
||
CCI Shotshell 38 Special Ammo 100 Grain Lead Shot Box of 10
100gr
Aluminum
|
10 |
$19.49
$1.95 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.55
/ rd
|
$35.49
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
|
| 10 |
$19.59
$1.96 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.99 Shipped |
$3.26
/ rd
|
$32.58
Delivered Total
|
verified
Grab A Gun
★ 4.4
(3,329k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$39.99
$2.00 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.00 Shipped |
$2.60
/ rd
|
$51.99
Delivered Total
|
Remington
★ 4.5
(0k reviews)
|
||
LIBERTY AMMUNITION CIVIL DEFENSE
50gr
Brass
|
20 |
$40.33
$2.02 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.99 Shipped |
$2.77
/ rd
|
$55.32
Delivered Total
|
verified
Guns Com
★ 4.6
(40,778k reviews)
|
|
| 10 |
$20.25
$2.03 / rd
|
local_shipping $17.45 Shipped |
$3.77
/ rd
|
$37.70
Delivered Total
|
verified
Ammo Com
★ 4.8
(892k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$40.33
$2.02 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.83 Shipped |
$2.76
/ rd
|
$55.16
Delivered Total
|
verified
Ammunition Depot
★ 4.8
(1,096k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$40.99
$2.05 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.95 Shipped |
$2.80
/ rd
|
$55.94
Delivered Total
|
verified
BattleHawk Armory
★ 4.5
(1,573k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$40.99
$2.05 / rd
|
local_shipping $10.68 Shipped |
$2.58
/ rd
|
$51.67
Delivered Total
|
Palmetto State Armory
★ 4.2
(5,326k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$41.95
$2.10 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.95 Shipped |
$2.85
/ rd
|
$56.90
Delivered Total
|
Global Ordnance
★ 4.3
(187k reviews)
|
||
| 50 |
$106.99
$2.14 / rd
|
local_shipping Free Ship above $100 |
$2.14
/ rd
|
$106.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$43.99
$2.20 / rd
|
local_shipping $12.00 Shipped |
$2.80
/ rd
|
$55.99
Delivered Total
|
Federal Premium
★ 3.4
(57k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$43.99
$2.20 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.00
/ rd
|
$59.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 10 |
$22.49
$2.25 / rd
|
local_shipping $17.45 Shipped |
$3.99
/ rd
|
$39.94
Delivered Total
|
verified
Ammo Com
★ 4.8
(892k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$44.99
$2.25 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.05
/ rd
|
$60.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$44.99
$2.25 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.05
/ rd
|
$60.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 10 |
$22.99
$2.30 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.90
/ rd
|
$38.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$46.99
$2.35 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.15
/ rd
|
$62.99
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 10 |
$23.99
$2.40 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.83 Shipped |
$3.88
/ rd
|
$38.82
Delivered Total
|
verified
Ammunition Depot
★ 4.8
(1,096k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$47.99
$2.40 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.83 Shipped |
$3.14
/ rd
|
$62.82
Delivered Total
|
verified
Ammunition Depot
★ 4.8
(1,096k reviews)
|
||
Lehigh Defense .38 Special 100 gr 20rds
100gr
Brass
|
20 |
$56.19
$2.81 / rd
|
local_shipping $10.68 Shipped |
$3.34
/ rd
|
$66.87
Delivered Total
|
Palmetto State Armory
★ 4.2
(5,326k reviews)
|
|
WILSON COMBAT .38 SPL +P
100gr
|
20 |
$56.99
$2.85 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.99 Shipped |
$3.60
/ rd
|
$71.98
Delivered Total
|
verified
Guns Com
★ 4.6
(40,778k reviews)
|
|
| 20 |
$58.95
$2.95 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.95 Shipped |
$3.70
/ rd
|
$73.90
Delivered Total
|
Global Ordnance
★ 4.3
(187k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$58.95
$2.95 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$3.75
/ rd
|
$74.95
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$59.99
$3.00 / rd
|
local_shipping $10.68 Shipped |
$3.53
/ rd
|
$70.67
Delivered Total
|
Palmetto State Armory
★ 4.2
(5,326k reviews)
|
||
WILSON COMBAT .38 SPL +P
125gr
|
20 |
$62.99
$3.15 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.99 Shipped |
$3.90
/ rd
|
$77.98
Delivered Total
|
verified
Guns Com
★ 4.6
(40,778k reviews)
|
|
| 20 |
$64.95
$3.25 / rd
|
local_shipping $14.95 Shipped |
$4.00
/ rd
|
$79.90
Delivered Total
|
Global Ordnance
★ 4.3
(187k reviews)
|
||
| 20 |
$64.95
$3.25 / rd
|
local_shipping $16.00 Shipped |
$4.05
/ rd
|
$80.95
Delivered Total
|
Midway USA
★ 1.8
(591k reviews)
|
.38 Special Ammo Specs
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special (.38 Special) is a rimed, straight-walled revolver cartridge featuring a bullet diameter of 9.07 mm (0.357 in) and a case length of 29.3 mm (1.155 in). It has a maximum overall length of 39.4 mm (1.550 in) and a rim diameter of 11.10 mm (0.437 in). Governed by strict SAAMI specifications, standard loads operate at a maximum average pressure of 120.658 MPa (17,500 psi), while +P variants are pushed up to 137.895 MPa (20,000 psi). Typical factory loads feature 110, 125, or 158-grain bullets, yielding muzzle velocities from 750 to 1,150 FPS and muzzle energies spanning 180 to 260 foot-pounds.
.38 Special Grain Weight & Ballistics Comparison Guide
Finding the right grain weight changes everything about how your revolver handles—from felt recoil in lightweight snubbies to target accuracy.
Ballistics Disclaimer: Factory ballistics can shift quite a bit depending on whether you are shooting out of a 2-inch snub-nosed pocket revolver or a 4-inch service piece.
Top-Selling .38 Special Ammo Brands In Stock
Filter quickly by bullet configuration (Lead Round Nose, Wadcutter, or Hollow Point), pressure rating (Standard vs +P), or grain weight.
BEST .38 SPECIAL AMMO FOR SPECIFIC USES
Whether you're looking for ultra-low recoil target wadcutters or snappy +P defensive rounds for your concealed carry piece, we've got you covered.
BEST FOR TARGET PRACTICE
Top Pick: Magtech 158gr Lead Round Nose (LRN)
Runner-Up: Federal American Eagle 130gr FMJ
Smooth-shooting, accurate, and gentle on vintage or modern wheel guns alike during long afternoons at the range.
BEST FOR CONCEALED CARRY
Top Pick: Hornady Critical Defense 110gr +P
Runner-Up: Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr +P
Specially formulated to expand reliably at lower speeds, making them ideal companions for compact snub-nosed revolvers.
BEST FOR HOME DEFENSE
Top Pick: Winchester / Federal 158gr LSWCHP +P ("FBI Load")
Runner-Up: Remington Golden Saber 125gr +P
A trusted law enforcement legacy load. Soft lead expands wide and penetrates deeply out of standard service-length barrels.
BEST WADCUTTER / LOW RECOIL
Top Pick: Federal 148gr Lead Target Wadcutter
Runner-Up: Winchester 148gr Wadcutter
Expert Note: Flush wadcutters punch crisp paper holes and offer virtually zero felt recoil—a favorite for training new shooters.
.38 Special Ammo FAQ & Purchasing Intelligence
monetization_on What is the current price of .38 Special ammo per round? expand_more
Standard target range loads usually run between $0.35 and $0.45 per round, while specialized defensive +P hollow points typically sit around $1.00 to $1.60 per round.
security Can you shoot .38 Special out of a .357 Magnum revolver? expand_more
Yes, absolutely. Because .357 Magnum cylinders are built longer and stronger, they handle .38 Special rounds safely. Just make sure never to do the reverse.
bolt What is the difference between .38 Special and .38 Special +P? expand_more
"+P" stands for overpressure. Standard loads run up to 17,500 psi, whereas +P loads go up to 20,000 psi for higher velocity—verify your gun is rated for it before firing.
track_changes What ammo is best for a snub-nosed .38 Special revolver? expand_more
Short barrels strip away velocity, so choose purpose-built short-barrel loads like the Hornady Critical Defense 110gr +P or Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P.
fact_check Is .38 Special the same as .38 ACP or .38 S&W? expand_more
No, they are distinct cartridges. Always verify the stamp on your firearm barrel to avoid dangerous mismatches.
savings What is the best affordable .38 Special practice ammunition? expand_more
Magtech, Fiocchi, Armscor, and Federal American Eagle offer exceptionally reliable and budget-friendly range options.
inventory_2 How much do 500 or 1000 rounds of .38 Special cost? expand_more
Bulk quantities generally average between $350 and $450 per 1,000-round equivalent, making bulk purchasing the smartest way to practice often.