Hornady 90300 Critical Defense Lite 38 Special 90 GR FTX 25 Rounds

Name: Hornady 90300 Critical Defense Lite 38 Special 90 GR FTX 25 Rounds
Brand: Hornady
SKU: 90300-090255903003
Price: 35.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Overview

Built for concealed carry and personal protection, this .38 Special load is aimed at shooters who want a lighter-recoiling option without giving up the features associated with defensive ammunition. It uses a 90-grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet, nickel-plated cases, and low-flash propellants, with the design intended to help the bullet expand reliably and resist clogging through heavy clothing. The reduced recoil focus makes it a practical choice for compact or lightweight handguns, especially where controllability matters. Each box contains 25 rounds.

Why Hunters Choose the Hornady

Concealed Carry

Personal protection in .38 Special

90-grain Flex

Tip eXpanding bullet is built

Flex Tip

Design helps resist clogging through

Nickel-plated Cases

Improve visibility in low-light conditions

Low-flash Propellants

Are suited to short-barreled handguns

Key Features

Designed for concealed carry and personal protection
38 Special load with a 90-grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet
Bullet is described as expanding reliably and resisting clogging through heavy clothing
Nickel-plated cases for increased visibility in low-light situations
Premium low-flash propellants for use in short-barreled handguns
Reduced-recoil option for lightweight, compact personal protection firearms

Best Used For

Concealed carry users wanting a reduced-recoil .38 Special personal protection load
Shooters with lightweight, compact handguns seeking easier handling and control
Owners of short-barreled revolvers looking for low flash ammunition for defensive use
Users prioritizing nickel-plated cases for easier visibility in low-light conditions
Hunters or outdoorsmen choosing a compact defensive cartridge for backup carry

Specifications

Bullet Type	Flex Tip eXpanding
Bullet Weight	90 gr
Caliber	38 Special
Casing Material	Nickel-Plated
Muzzle Energy	288 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity	1200 fps
Rounds Per Box	25

Pros

Designed for concealed carry and personal protection in .38 Special.
90-grain Flex Tip eXpanding bullet is built to expand reliably.
Flex Tip design helps resist clogging through heavy clothing.
Nickel-plated cases improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Low-flash propellants are suited to short-barreled handguns.
Reduced-recoil load helps minimize felt recoil in compact firearms.

Considerations & Trade-offs

Reduced recoil is a central trade-off of this load, so it is aimed at shooters who want to minimize felt recoil rather than maximize power.
This is a 25-round box, which may be less convenient for higher-volume practice or stocking compared with larger pack sizes.
The load is purpose-built for concealed carry and personal protection, so it is more specialized than a general-purpose .38 Special option.
Its stated performance benefits are tied to short-barreled handguns and low-flash propellants, making it a more specific fit than a one-size-fits-all defensive load.

Suggested Comparisons

Concealed carry ammunition
Personal protection ammunition
Low-recoil handgun ammunition
38 Special ammunition

Suggested Accessories

Ammunition storage box
Hearing protection
Cleaning kit
Handgun holster

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this Hornady Critical Defense Lite load intended for?

It is designed for concealed carry and personal protection.

What bullet does this 38 Special load use?

It uses a 90-grain Flex Tip eXpanding (FTX) bullet.

How many rounds come in a box?

Each box contains 25 rounds.

Does the product mention reduced recoil?

Yes. The description says it is an effective, reduced recoil option for shooters looking to minimize felt recoil in lightweight, compact personal protection firearms.

What case material is listed?

The listed casing material is nickel-plated.