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.38 Special Trajectory Calculator

The .38 Special is a classic revolver cartridge known for mild recoil and accuracy. With a 158-grain bullet at 755 fps and a 25-yard zero, expect about 3.5 inches of drop at 50 yards, 11.1 inches at 75 yards, and 23.1 inches at 100 yards. Muzzle energy runs around 200 ft-lbs, retaining 169 ft-lbs at 100 yards. The .38 Special is best for self-defense, target shooting, and training at typical handgun distances.

Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Standard pressure loads range from 110-grain to 158-grain, with +P loads offering higher velocity. You can also factor in wind and atmospheric conditions.

.38 Special Trajectory Chart

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.38 Special Ballistics Data

Range (yd) Elevation (in) Elevation (MOA) Elevation (MIL) Windage (in) Windage (MOA) Windage (MIL) Time (s) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lbs)
0 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.001 755.0 200.04
5 -0.08 1.39 0.403 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.021 751.64 198.26
10 0.18 -1.69 -0.492 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.041 748.41 196.56
15 0.28 -1.76 -0.512 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.061 745.2 194.87
20 0.22 -1.06 -0.307 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.082 742.01 193.21
25 0.01 -0.03 -0.01 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.102 738.84 191.56
30 -0.36 1.15 0.336 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.122 735.68 189.93
35 -0.9 2.44 0.71 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.143 732.55 188.32
40 -1.59 3.79 1.103 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.163 729.44 186.72
45 -2.45 5.19 1.509 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.184 726.34 185.14
50 -3.48 6.62 1.925 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.204 723.27 183.57
55 -4.67 8.08 2.35 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.225 720.21 182.02
60 -6.02 9.56 2.781 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.246 717.17 180.49
65 -7.55 11.06 3.219 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.267 714.15 178.97
70 -9.25 12.59 3.661 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.288 711.14 177.47
75 -11.11 14.12 4.108 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.309 708.16 175.98
80 -13.16 15.67 4.559 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.33 705.19 174.51
85 -15.37 17.24 5.014 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.352 702.24 173.06
90 -17.76 18.82 5.473 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.373 699.31 171.61
95 -20.33 20.41 5.936 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.395 696.39 170.18
100 -23.08 22.01 6.402 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.416 693.48 168.77

Available .38 Special Ammunition Ballistics

Product Velocity (fps) BC 25yd Drop 50yd Drop 75yd Drop 100yd Drop
Ammo Inc .38 Special 158gr TMC Ammo Ballistics 947 0.206 0.0" -2.0" -6.7" -14.1"
Ammo Inc Signature Line .38 Special 125gr TMC Ammo Ballistics 947 0.14 0.0" -2.1" -6.9" -14.6"
Armscor .38 Special 158gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 891 0.159 0.0" -2.4" -7.8" -16.3"
Black Hills .38 Special 148gr HBWC Ballistics 700 0.059 0.0" -4.4" -14.4" -30.4"
Black Hills Cowboy .38 Special 158gr CNL Ballistics 800 0.15 0.0" -3.0" -9.8" -20.4"
CCI Blazer .38 Special +P 125gr JHP Ballistics 945 0.132 0.0" -2.1" -7.0" -14.7"
Federal .38 Special American Eagle 158gr LRN Ammo Ballistics 770 0.206 0.0" -3.3" -10.5" -21.7"
Federal American Eagle .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 890 0.174 0.0" -2.4" -7.7" -16.2"
Federal Hydra-Shok Deep .38 Special +P 130gr JHP Ballistics 900 0.145 0.0" -2.3" -7.6" -16.1"
Fiocchi Range Dynamics .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 950 0.153 0.0" -2.0" -6.8" -14.4"
Fiocchi Range Dynamics .38 Special 158gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 730 0.159 0.0" -3.7" -11.9" -24.7"
Hornady .38 Special 158gr XTP JHP Ballistics 800 0.206 0.0" -3.0" -9.6" -20.0"
Hornady American Gunner .38 Special 125gr XTP JHP Ballistics 900 0.151 0.0" -2.3" -7.6" -16.0"
Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special 110gr FTX Ballistics 1010 0.131 0.0" -1.8" -6.1" -13.0"
Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special +P 110gr FTX Ballistics 1090 0.131 0.0" -1.5" -5.2" -11.3"
Hornady Critical Defense Lite .38 Special 90gr FTX Ballistics 1200 0.099 0.0" -1.3" -4.6" -10.1"
HSM Cowboy Action .38 Special 158gr RNFP Ammo Ballistics 840 0.159 0.0" -2.7" -8.8" -18.4"
Magtech .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ballistics 800 0.181 0.0" -3.0" -9.7" -20.2"
Magtech .38 Special 158gr LRN Ballistics 755 0.149 0.0" -3.5" -11.1" -23.1"
Magtech .38 Special +P 125gr SJHP Ballistics 938 0.163 0.0" -2.1" -6.9" -14.6"
PMC Bronze .38 Special 132gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 917 0.187 0.0" -2.2" -7.2" -15.2"
Remington Golden Saber .38 Special +P 125gr BJHP Ballistics 975 0.142 0.0" -1.9" -6.5" -13.7"
Remington UMC .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 800 0.145 0.0" -3.1" -9.8" -20.5"
Remington UMC .38 Special 158gr LRN Ammo Ballistics 755 0.165 0.0" -3.5" -11.0" -22.9"
Remington UMC .38 Special +P 125gr SJHP Ballistics 945 0.14 0.0" -2.1" -6.9" -14.6"
Sellier & Bellot .38 Special 158gr LRN Ballistics 997 0.17 0.0" -1.8" -6.1" -12.9"
Speer Gold Dot .38 Special 125gr JHP Ballistics 865 0.141 0.0" -2.6" -8.3" -17.5"
Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 125gr JHP Ballistics 945 0.141 0.0" -2.1" -6.9" -14.6"
Speer Lawman .38 Special 125gr TMJ Ballistics 863 0.147 0.0" -2.6" -8.4" -17.5"
Speer Lawman .38 Special +P 158gr TMJ Ballistics 900 0.173 0.0" -2.3" -7.5" -15.8"
Winchester Super-X .38 Special 148gr WC Ballistics 710 0.056 0.0" -4.3" -14.0" -29.8"
Winchester USA .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo Ballistics 800 0.145 0.0" -3.1" -9.8" -20.5"

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Stock Up On .38 Special Ammo for the Range

PRODUCT PRICE/RD
CCI Blazer .38 Special +P 125gr JHP
Sold by: Lucky Gunner
$0.42
1000 Rounds
Magtech .38 Special 158gr LRN
Sold by: Lucky Gunner
$0.42
1000 Rounds
Fiocchi Range Dynamics .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.43
1000 Rounds
PMC Bronze .38 Special 132gr FMJ Ammo
Sold by: SG Ammo
$0.43
1000 Rounds
Magtech .38 Special 130gr FMJ
Sold by: Lucky Gunner
$0.44
1000 Rounds
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