Low recoil target round suggestion for 38spl

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  • Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,884
    Or rather than compare the momentum. Not listed as seperate line item in most charts , but simply multiply bullet weight by velocity.

    Using an example from .45acp ; 185jhp vs 230 whatever, in std velocity . The 185gr will have a cpl more ft lb than a hardball @825fps , but 10% less momentum( aka simplified recoil ) .

    In .38spl , can find similar comparisons in 110gr vs 158gr . Or more to this thread , a 125gr FP loaded to same vel as 148gr WC will have. 15% less recoil . And that is a valid comparison . SASS style 125gr loads will have similar or slower vels than 148 WC of factory loading, or the iconic BE powder load .

    Yes , the WC is better for one hole groups . But more "normal" shaped 100-125 FP have less bearing surface ( aka bore friction , simplified ) and can be driven slower w/o concerns about sticking a bullet in the bbl .
     

    normbal

    Ultimate Member
    BANNED!!!
    May 2, 2011
    1,189
    socialist occupied maryland
    When my kids were young (like five years old) and my wife was just getting back into shooting, I made up several thousand rounds of 148gn wadcutters over 3.5 gns bullseye powder. If I were to do it again I’d use something bulkier like Trailboss (which I use for CAS loads in .45 Colt as well as subsonics, but bullseye works great for that too), but run through a Dillon press, Bullseye meters just fine. Very light load, very little recoil, easily manageable, accurate enough.

    I have to agree with several of the others here as well, I wouldn’t advise an airlight for anyone for a first pistol. I carry one (S&W 340 Ti/Sc) in .357 Mag and have shot MANY loads from std .38 SPL, +Ps, and .357 rounds of various flavors and the recoil is, in a word, brutal, .38 SPL being “just manageable”.

    I can’t imagine putting one of these into the hands of a smaller woman, but I have a friend - small-framed woman with arthritis - who bought one on the advice of some gunstore owner who must’ve taken particularly sadistic joy selling it to her. She took it to the range ONCE after buying it shooting +P loads and it’s lived in her nightstand since; says she doesn’t like the recoil.

    I showed her how to shoot exposed hammer guns (models 36, 19, 60, 29) in single action and it was like a veil lifted from her eyes. Now she’s talking buying another pistol. Smart lady.

    My wife has a model 60 in .357 and shoots +Ps just fine.

    If you do handloading there are options.
     

    psycosteve

    Meme magic works!!!
    Sep 3, 2012
    4,724
    Gentrfying the Hagersbush.
    It might be a dick move but grab a hot 38 round load one in to it and let her have at it. When she misses the target complexly ask her where did that round go to ? Now have her envision if this was a home defense decision . Ask her did she just shoot you or one of your kids with that miss ? I would then let that point sink in I then present her either a G-19 or a Sig 225 with a box of ammo and a couple of mags .
     

    GoGoGadget

    Deplorable Member
    Mar 10, 2011
    2,959
    A.A.Co. and Carteret Co. NC
    148 grain lead wadcutters would be your "I want trigger time with low recoil" option. Best guess, would clock somewhat shy of 700fps out of that revolver. She'll note significant difference as opposed to jacketed loads.

    Ditto. I like the Georgia Arms wadcutters that are usually at the Chantilly show. Or you can get them here:

    http://www.georgia-arms.com/38-special-148gr-lead-wadcutter/


    They are super fun to shoot and make beautiful perfectly round holes in paper.
     

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