Winchester 38 Special ammo comes in more box styles than most shooters realize. There is the familiar White Box, a Service Grade case, a Cowboy load, a clean-burning WinClean round, and two separate defense lines. Each one fills a different need. Below, we sort them by job so you can buy the right box the first time.
Practice Ammo: White Box and Service Grade
Most range trips start here. Winchester’s USA White Box line uses simple, reliable bullets at a fair cost.
- The White Box 130-grain FMJ, 50 rounds lists 800 fps and 185 ft-lb.
- The same 130-grain FMJ comes in a 100-round bulk pack and a 300-round ammo can.
- The Service Grade 130-grain FMJ comes in a 500-round case with the same listed speed.
- The White Box 150-grain round nose lists 845 fps and 238 ft-lb in a 500-round case.
The ammo can is handy for storage. The 500-round cases make sense once you know your revolver likes the load.
Clean-Burning Option: WinClean
The WinClean 125-grain JSP uses a jacketed bullet with a brass-enclosed base. That design keeps exposed lead away from the hot gas at the base of the bullet. It is a good fit for indoor ranges that care about lead in the air. It lists 775 fps and 167 ft-lb.
Target and Cowboy Loads
Super X 148-Grain Wadcutter
The Super X 148-grain wadcutter lists 710 fps and 166 ft-lb. It is soft-shooting and cuts clean holes for easy scoring. Read our 38 Special wadcutter guide for more on this bullet style.
Cowboy 158-Grain Flat Nose
The Winchester Cowboy 158-grain flat nose lists 800 fps and 225 ft-lb. The flat nose suits lever-action tube magazines and single-action revolvers used in cowboy action shooting.
Defense Ammo: Silvertip and PDX1 Defender
Silvertip
Silvertip is one of Winchester’s long-running defense bullets. The jacket has a silver-colored finish. The Silvertip 110-grain JHP is a standard pressure load. It lists 945 fps and 218 ft-lb. That makes it a fit for revolvers that are not rated for +P.
The Silvertip +P 125-grain lists 945 fps and 248 ft-lb. We carry it in a 200-round case, so you can practice with your carry load.
PDX1 Defender
The PDX1 Defender +P 130-grain bonded JHP lists 950 fps and 260 ft-lb. A bonded bullet has its lead core fused to the jacket. That helps the bullet hold together when it hits barriers.
USA +P JHP
The USA 125-grain +P JHP comes in a 50-round box. It lists 945 fps and 248 ft-lb. It is a lower-cost way to practice with +P recoil.
Defensive ammo laws vary. Check your state and local rules on carry and on hollow points.
Winchester 38 Special Ammo Comparison Table
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Box FMJ | 130 | FMJ | 800 | 185 | 50-round box |
| Service Grade FMJ | 130 | FMJ | 800 | 185 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| White Box RN | 150 | RN | 845 | 238 | 500-round case (10 x 50) |
| WinClean JSP | 125 | JSP | 775 | 167 | 50-round box |
| Super X Wadcutter | 148 | WC | 710 | 166 | 50-round box |
| Cowboy | 158 | Flat nose | 800 | 225 | 50-round box |
| Silvertip | 110 | JHP | 945 | 218 | 20-round box |
| Silvertip +P | 125 | JHP | 945 | 248 | 200-round case (10 x 20) |
| PDX1 Defender +P | 130 | Bonded JHP | 950 | 260 | 20-round box |
| USA +P | 125 | JHP | 945 | 248 | 50-round box |
All numbers are Winchester’s published muzzle data. Snub-nose revolvers will show lower speeds.
Standard Pressure or +P?
Several Winchester defense loads are +P. That means they run at higher pressure than standard 38 Special loads, under SAAMI limits. Before you buy, check your revolver’s manual or barrel markings. If it is not rated for +P, choose the standard pressure Silvertip 110-grain.
A .357 Magnum revolver can shoot all of these. Confirm it in your revolver maker’s manual. A 38 Special revolver can never shoot .357 Magnum.
How to Build a Winchester 38 Special Ammo Kit
- Pick one defense load that your revolver is rated for.
- Shoot at least a box of it to check function and point of impact.
- Buy a bulk practice load like White Box FMJ for regular training.
- Add wadcutters if you want to tighten up your groups at the range.
Want to compare another maker? See our Remington 38 Special ammo guide.
Shop Winchester 38 Special Ammo
Browse the full lineup in our Winchester 38 Special ammo category, or see every brand in the main 38 Special ammo section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Winchester 38 Special ammo for practice?
White Box 130-grain FMJ is the go-to range load. It comes in 50-round boxes, 100-round bulk packs, a 300-round ammo can and a 500-round Service Grade case. WinClean is a good pick for indoor ranges that limit exposed lead.
Is 38 special good for self-defense?
The 38 Special has served police and civilians for more than a century. With a good hollow point and regular practice, many people carry it in a small revolver. Pick a load rated for your gun, and check your state and local laws on carry.
What does 38 special +P mean?
A +P load runs at a higher pressure than standard 38 Special ammo, within SAAMI limits. It gives more speed and more recoil. Use +P loads only in revolvers the maker says are rated for them. Standard loads work in any 38 Special gun.
Is 38 special the same as 380?
No. The 38 Special is a rimmed revolver cartridge with a long case. The 380 ACP is a short, rimless pistol cartridge for small semi-autos. They are not interchangeable. Always use the cartridge marked on your firearm.
What is a bonded bullet?
A bonded bullet has its lead core fused to the copper jacket. This helps the bullet stay together and keep its weight when it hits hard material. Winchester’s PDX1 Defender 38 Special +P load uses a bonded jacketed hollow point.
