The term "hot Load" has different meanings to different people and in different aplications, so let's use the term "Muzzle Energy", which is defined as
(Bullet Weight in grains) X (Muzzle Velocity in feet per seond) Squared / 450,411. (By the way --- 1 pound = 7,000 grains)

In an order of increasing muzzle energy, the ammunition your revolver will fire is: .38Spl, .38Spl+P, .38Apl+P+ and .357Mag.

A typical .38Spl will have about 310 ft-lb of Muzzle Energy while a .357Mag will have about 550 ft-lb, and the other two fall somewhere in between.

The higher the Muzzle Energy, the greater the recoil. However, the heavier bullet doesn't necessarily have the highest Muzzle Energy because bullet weight is a linear function while velocity is exponential and lighter bullets tend to leave the barrel at a higher velocity than heavier ones do.

If you want low recoil ammo to practice with, use low velocity ammo, regardless of bullet weight.

Don't worry about asking questions, we all had to learn this stuff also and it takes time, but the fog eventually clears

John
__________________
Age + Treachery = JohnnieB


Thanks John. I guess I should have paid closer attention to those physics classes in college. It would have been great if they had a range with guns to demonstrate the concept......now that would have been total hands-on learning.

I've decided I'm going to shoot a high grain and a low grain and see how each feels. I'm actually quit a small person but I have no problem with the .38+P recoil. Will keep you posted.

Thanks again.

Brenda