AmmoSight

.38 Special Trajectory Calculator

See how .38 Special stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every handgun caliber side by side.

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

Take this table to the range

The .38 Special reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.

Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.

Customize this card

Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.

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 750 0.15 0.0" -3.5" -11.3" -23.4"
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"

Zeroing the .38 Special

Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 158gr G1 .149 at 755 fps, with a 0.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Handgun zeros are short because the sight sits close to the bore and the bullet arcs little inside 50 yards; the choice is really about where you want the crossover. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.

.38 Special zero comparison

.38 Special 158gr reference load zero comparison at 0.5" sight height over bore
10-yd zero 15-yd zero 25-yd zero
Near zero 10 yd 11 yd 7 yd
Far zero 16 yd 15 yd 25 yd
Max ordinate +0.0" +0.0" +0.3"
Max ordinate distance 13 yd 13 yd 16 yd
Hold-dead-on window (4" vital zone, ±2") 0–38 yd 0–38 yd 0–42 yd
Sight in at 25 yd -0.4" (-1.7 MOA) -0.5" (-1.7 MOA) +0.0" (+0.0 MOA)
Drop at 50 yd -4.4" -4.4" -3.5"
Drop at 100 yd -24.9" -24.9" -23.1"
Energy at 50 yd 184 ft-lb 184 ft-lb 184 ft-lb
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How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 4" vital zone, ±2" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 100 yards.

Key terms

Near zero
Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
Far zero
Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
Max ordinate
The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
Point blank range (MPBR)
The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.

.38 Special with a 10-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 10 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 158gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 10 yards, peaks +0.0" at 13 yards, crosses back down at 16 yards, and is -4.4" at 50 and -24.9" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.38 Special 158gr reference load, 10-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 755 200 0.1
5 -0.2" -3.10 -0.90 752 198 0.1
10 0.0" -0.03 -0.01 748 197 0.1
15 +0.0" +0.04 +0.01 745 195 0.2
20 -0.1" -0.66 -0.19 742 193 0.2
25 -0.4" -1.68 -0.49 739 192 0.3
30 -0.9" -2.87 -0.84 736 190 0.4
35 -1.5" -4.16 -1.21 733 188 0.5
40 -2.3" -5.51 -1.60 729 187 0.6
45 -3.3" -6.90 -2.01 726 185 0.7
50 -4.4" -8.34 -2.43 723 184 0.9
55 -5.7" -9.80 -2.85 720 182 1.0
60 -7.1" -11.28 -3.28 717 180 1.2
65 -8.7" -12.78 -3.72 714 179 1.4
70 -10.5" -14.30 -4.16 711 177 1.6
75 -12.5" -15.84 -4.61 708 176 1.9
80 -14.6" -17.39 -5.06 705 175 2.1
85 -16.9" -18.95 -5.51 702 173 2.3
90 -19.4" -20.53 -5.97 699 172 2.6
95 -22.1" -22.12 -6.44 696 170 2.9
100 -24.9" -23.72 -6.90 693 169 3.2

158gr G1 .149 at 755 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

.38 Special with a 15-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 15 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 158gr load first crosses the line of sight at 11 yards, peaks +0.0" at 13 yards, returns to zero at 15, and is -4.4" at 50 and -24.9" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.38 Special 158gr reference load, 15-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 755 200 0.1
5 -0.2" -3.13 -0.91 752 198 0.1
10 0.0" -0.05 -0.02 748 197 0.1
15 0.0" +0.02 +0.01 745 195 0.2
20 -0.1" -0.69 -0.20 742 193 0.2
25 -0.5" -1.71 -0.50 739 192 0.3
30 -0.9" -2.90 -0.84 736 190 0.4
35 -1.5" -4.18 -1.22 733 188 0.5
40 -2.3" -5.53 -1.61 729 187 0.6
45 -3.3" -6.93 -2.02 726 185 0.7
50 -4.4" -8.36 -2.43 723 184 0.9
55 -5.7" -9.82 -2.86 720 182 1.0
60 -7.1" -11.30 -3.29 717 180 1.2
65 -8.7" -12.81 -3.73 714 179 1.4
70 -10.5" -14.33 -4.17 711 177 1.6
75 -12.5" -15.86 -4.61 708 176 1.9
80 -14.6" -17.42 -5.07 705 175 2.1
85 -16.9" -18.98 -5.52 702 173 2.3
90 -19.4" -20.56 -5.98 699 172 2.6
95 -22.1" -22.15 -6.44 696 170 2.9
100 -24.9" -23.75 -6.91 693 169 3.2

158gr G1 .149 at 755 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

.38 Special with a 25-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 25 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 158gr load first crosses the line of sight at 7 yards, peaks +0.3" at 16 yards, returns to zero at 25, and is -3.5" at 50 and -23.1" at 100 yards. This load is subsonic from the muzzle.

Download CSV
.38 Special 158gr reference load, 25-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 755 200 0.1
5 -0.1" -1.39 -0.40 752 198 0.1
10 +0.2" +1.69 +0.49 748 197 0.1
15 +0.3" +1.76 +0.51 745 195 0.2
20 +0.2" +1.06 +0.31 742 193 0.2
25 +0.0" +0.03 +0.01 739 192 0.3
30 -0.4" -1.15 -0.34 736 190 0.4
35 -0.9" -2.44 -0.71 733 188 0.5
40 -1.6" -3.79 -1.10 729 187 0.6
45 -2.5" -5.19 -1.51 726 185 0.7
50 -3.5" -6.62 -1.93 723 184 0.9
55 -4.7" -8.08 -2.35 720 182 1.1
60 -6.0" -9.56 -2.78 717 180 1.2
65 -7.6" -11.06 -3.22 714 179 1.4
70 -9.3" -12.59 -3.66 711 177 1.6
75 -11.1" -14.12 -4.11 708 176 1.9
80 -13.2" -15.67 -4.56 705 175 2.1
85 -15.4" -17.24 -5.01 702 173 2.3
90 -17.8" -18.82 -5.47 699 172 2.6
95 -20.3" -20.41 -5.94 696 170 2.9
100 -23.1" -22.01 -6.40 693 169 3.2

158gr G1 .149 at 755 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. This load is subsonic from the muzzle, so there is no transonic zone to cross.

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Stock Up On .38 Special Ammo for the Range

PRODUCT PRICE/RD
PMC Bronze .38 Special 132gr FMJ Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.41
1000 Rounds
Magtech .38 Special 158gr LRN
Sold by: Lucky Gunner
$0.44
1000 Rounds
Winchester USA .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo
$0.48
1000 Rounds
Remington UMC .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.51
1000 Rounds
Federal American Eagle .38 Special 130gr FMJ Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.51
1000 Rounds
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