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FMJ & LRN

38 Special Ammo in ballistic gel

We shot 15 different loads of 38 Special self-defense ammo into ballistic gel

See the results below

For range training or practice, 38 special ammo designated as full metal jacket rounds, or FMJ, are the best choice. Full metal jacket bullets are designed not to expand when they come in contact with a soft target. Frankly, the bullet isn't as sophisticated as some of the other self-defense rounds on the market. Because of that, FMJ loaded ammo is generally cheap while still perfectly suited for range use and target practice.

Prior to the standard hollow point, lead round nose rounds were the choice of armed professionals. Often known as the "38 Special police", the LRN rounds are known for their ability to penetrate and deform. This deformations can cause extreme damage when used for self-defense.

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1 - 20 of 48

  1. 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills Cowboy Loads 158gr. CNL Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills Cowboy Loads 158gr. CNL Ammo
    $27.95
    $0.56/ppr

    27 In Stock

  2. 50rds - 38 Special CCI Blazer 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo 50rds - 38 Special CCI Blazer 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

    $19.95
    $0.40/ppr

    15 In Stock

  3. 50rds - 38 Special CCI Blazer Brass 125gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special CCI Blazer Brass 125gr. FMJ Ammo
    $18.95
    $0.38/ppr

    3 In Stock

  4. 50rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 158gr. LRN Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 158gr. LRN Ammo
    $17.95
    $0.36/ppr

    162 In Stock

  5. 1000rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 158gr. LRN Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 158gr. LRN Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

    $299.95
    $0.30/ppr

    34 In Stock

  6. 1000rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 130gr. FMJ Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 130gr. FMJ Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 4 Review(s)

    $319.95
    $0.32/ppr

    29 In Stock

  7. 50rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 130gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Federal American Eagle 130gr. FMJ Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

    $19.49
    $0.39/ppr

    159 In Stock

  8. 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 130gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 130gr. FMJ Ammo
    $18.95
    $0.38/ppr

    11 In Stock

  9. 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo
    $20.95
    $0.42/ppr

    10 In Stock

  10. 1000rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr Full Metal Jacket 1000rds - 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr Full Metal Jacket
    $375.95
    $0.38/ppr

    1 In Stock

  11. 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo
    $15.95
    $0.32/ppr

    65 In Stock

  12. 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 130gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 130gr. FMJ Ammo
    $16.95
    $0.34/ppr

    28 In Stock

  13. 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 130gr. FMJ Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 130gr. FMJ Ammo
    $309.95
    $0.31/ppr

    3 In Stock

  14. 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 125gr. FMJ-FP Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Magtech 125gr. FMJ-FP Ammo
    $19.15
    $0.38/ppr

    11 In Stock

  15. 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. LRN Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. LRN Ammo
    $299.95
    $0.30/ppr

    10 In Stock

  16. 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. FMC Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special Magtech 158gr. FMC Ammo
    $320.00
    $0.32/ppr

    7 In Stock

  17. 50rds - 38 Special Magtech Clean Range 158gr. FEB Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Magtech Clean Range 158gr. FEB Ammo
    $22.95
    $0.46/ppr

    8 In Stock

  18. 50rds - 38 Special PMC 132gr. FMJ Ammo 50rds - 38 Special PMC 132gr. FMJ Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

    $18.49
    $0.37/ppr

    14 In Stock

  19. 1000rds - 38 Special PMC 132gr. FMJ Ammo 1000rds - 38 Special PMC 132gr. FMJ Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

    $334.95
    $0.34/ppr

    7 In Stock

  20. 300rds - 38 Special PMC Battle Pack 132gr. FMJ Ammo 300rds - 38 Special PMC Battle Pack 132gr. FMJ Ammo

    ☆☆☆☆☆ 1 Review(s)

    $124.95
    $0.42/ppr

    4 In Stock

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1 - 20 of 48

38 Special Ballistic Gel Test Results
Ammo 5-shot average penetration depth 5-shot average diameter 5-shot average velocity
500rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 50rds - 38 Special Black Hills 125gr. +P Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo
  22.12"
0.35" 822
20rds - 38 Special +P Federal Personal Defense Micro 130gr. HST JHP Ammo
  12.66"
0.72" 872
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 129gr. +P HP Ammo
  19.56"
0.35" 828
20rds - 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok 110gr. HP Ammo 200rds – 38 Special Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 110gr. JHP Ammo
  14.52"
0.51" 936
50rds – 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds – 38 Special Fiocchi 158gr. JHP Ammo
  15.5"
0.35" 686
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr.+P FTX HP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr.+P FTX HP Ammo
  14.64"
0.47" 961
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 110gr. FTX Ammo
  14.78"
0.46" 829
25rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Lite Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady Critical Defense 90gr. FTX Ammo
  13.9"
0.45" 910
25rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo 250rds - 38 Special Hornady 158gr. JHP XTP Ammo
  18.58"
0.35" 675
50rds - 38 Special Remington HTP 125gr. +P SJHP Ammo 500rds - 38 Special Remington HTP 125gr. +P SJHP Ammo
  14.78"
0.44" 898
20rds - 38 Special SinterFire Special Duty 110gr. Frangible HP Ammo
  16.3"
0.35" 1060
50rds - 38 Special Speer LE Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr. +P Ammo
  13.74"
0.57" 886
200rds - 38 Special Winchester 130gr. +P Bonded PDX1 JHP Ammo
  17.86"
0.51" 843
50rds - 38 Special Winchester Silvertip 125gr. +P JHP Ammo 500rds - 38 Special +P Winchester 125gr. Super-X Silvertip Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo
  15.96"
0.49" 871
20rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo 200rds - 38 Special Winchester W Train and Defend 130gr. JHP Ammo
  20.28"
0.38" 857

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