<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001316507-12-000002.txt : 20121214
<SEC-HEADER>0001316507-12-000002.hdr.sgml : 20121214
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20121214134544
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001316507-12-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20121031
FILED AS OF DATE:		20121214
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20121214

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001275214
		IRS NUMBER:				043785941
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 CALAMOS COURT
		STREET 2:		C/O CALAMOS ADVISORS LLC
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60653
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6302451046

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 CALAMOS COURT
		STREET 2:		C/O CALAMOS ADVISORS LLC
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60653

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CALAMOS JOHN P SR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248580

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-21484
		FILM NUMBER:		121265060

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2020 CALAMOS COURT
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60563
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-10-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001275214</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CALAMOS STRATEGIC TOTAL RETURN FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CSQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001248580</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CALAMOS JOHN P SR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2020 CALAMOS COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60563</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by J&amp;L Capital LLC</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>154436.642</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by John Calamos Sr. Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person is managing member of the limited liability company that owns the reported securities. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. The limited liability company that owns the reported securities is not a participant of the Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund dividend reinvestment plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 12,322.271 shares acquired between November 2011 and October 2012 under Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund dividend reinvestment plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John P. Calamos, Sr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-12-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
