Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: wheels on April 08, 2014, 09:56:43 PM

Title: light kicking load for 38
Post by: wheels on April 08, 2014, 09:56:43 PM: my dad took my mom out to shoot her carry pistol a light weight revolver, and it kicked like a mule he loaded 158 grains bullet
and 3 grains of bulls eye powder any idea of lighter loads
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: FC on April 09, 2014, 12:01:55 AM: The BVAC 158gr SWC loads are the softest I have shot in my j frame, PMC 125gr FMJ is by far the hardest recoiling, much harder than any +p I have shot through it!
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: CP on April 09, 2014, 03:01:34 PM: 3 grains of bullseye won't break 800 fps with a 158g bullet. I doubt if you are going to get much lower recoil than that load.

You might try a lighter bullet.
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: Mongo Hunter on April 09, 2014, 03:09:03 PM: Corbon DPX 110gr +P. they still kick but not bad. and will sure give you enough penetration to still be effective.
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: wheels on April 09, 2014, 05:03:39 PM: thanks for the info
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: wheels on April 09, 2014, 05:29:57 PM: is 3 grains the lowest you can go
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: CP on April 09, 2014, 05:57:47 PM: Quote from: wheels on April 09, 2014, 05:29:57 PM
is 3 grains the lowest you can go

Yes. See the Alliant site for load data. Too low a load and the bullet may not leave the barrel.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=1&cartridge=26 (http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?page=/reloaders/powderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=1&cartridge=26)
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: luteai on April 09, 2014, 10:24:14 PM: 2.8 bullseye under a 148grn wadcutter worked great for a 442 smith and my wife and sister, light gun mild recoil, never a problem.
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: CP on April 10, 2014, 08:35:47 AM: The real problem is not being addressed by low recoil handloads. While you may come up with something that will work for practice, handloads should not be used for self defense. Any good self defense ammo will have significantly higher recoil than 3 grains of bullseye.

It sounds like your mom needs a different carry gun, one with less recoil than a lightweight .38. She might want to consider a .22LR or .22mag revolver. Ruger offers both in the LCR and S&W offers those chambering as well.
Title: Re: light kicking load for 38
Post by: Fl0und3rz on April 10, 2014, 09:14:50 AM: Quote from: CP on April 10, 2014, 08:35:47 AM
The real problem is not being addressed by low recoil handloads. While you may come up with something that will work for practice, handloads should not be used for self defense. Any good self defense ammo will have significantly higher recoil than 3 grains of bullseye.

It sounds like your mom needs a different carry gun, one with less recoil than a lightweight .38. She might want to consider a .22LR or .22mag revolver. Ruger offers both in the LCR and S&W offers those chambering as well.

Disagree on the reloads for SD, but you have a point on that lightweight revolver.

Perhaps a SP101 or GP100, while heavier, would provide better options, both for practice and SD. Even heavy 38/357 are pretty mild out of my 6" GP100. SP101 would provide some measure of relief, but would still be somewhat CC worthy.