I own a 357, i was wondering whats the lowest 38 special load availible, as far as recoil. I dont hand load, so it would probably be win, rem,or fed. And does it matter bullet weight ? im talking about just plinking. thanks all.

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Youll shoot your eye out kid

I own a 357, i was wondering whats the lowest 38 special load availible, as far as recoil. I dont hand load, so it would probably be win, rem,or fed. And does it matter bullet weight ? im talking about just plinking. thanks all.

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Youll shoot your eye out kid

Oh yes what can i buy in that round, that not to bad about leading ive been reading about. Thanks.

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Youll shoot your eye out kid

You can buy the 38 Cowboy Stuff that is low power.

Federal 148 gr wadcutter match. I think on the box it says muzzle velocity is 700 fps.

The guys around here who shoot cowboy call those "bunny fart" loads.

Cowboy and target wadcutter loads will be about the lowest-recoil commercial loads you'll find. AT their velocities, leading should be no problem at all. I'd expect any residue to come out easily after a few strokes with a dry bore brush.

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Pisgah

Mastercast.net sells 100gr dewc's for 6.02. you supply the brass.

Any 148gr wadcutter you can find would be low recoil in most .357's. They have become a little pricey thou.

I agree 100 gr. double ended wadcutters.

I would try blanks. Low recoil and no leading issues. One thing you may want to keep in mind is that a significant change in bullet weight can change your point of impact a good deal. Even for plinking this could be a pain if you are using a fixed sight revolver.

Just about all of the non +P 38s are pretty low recoil. 148 gr wadcutters are as about as low as I've experienced.

If you want the absolute lowest recoiling loads, it's either cowboy ammo or 148gr wadcutters. However, both shoot dirty and you will be doing a lot of cleaning. I would recommend Rem UMC 130gr MC. It is a standard non +P load that shoots clean.

If you want to avoid leading altogether and don't reload, Federal American Eagle 130gr. FMJs are quite wimpy, and I find them to be cleaner than UMC.

+1 I fired 500 of these as an experiment. They sound and feel like .22, yet are accurate out to at least ten yards (my limit, not theirs). I've fired more than 6,000 of Mastercast's reloads without a single problem, and no leading. They are prompt, reliable and inexpensive -- especially so if you exchange your spent casings. I send them a thousand casings via USPS Priority Mail for nine bucks and change. Any other way I know of costs more than twenty. www.mastercast.net

Cordially, Jack

For the lowest recoiling factory loads, the 148 grain Wadcutter load is your best bet.

If you want to buy ammo at Wal-Mart or just about any local gunshop, any manufacturer's 130 gr. full metal jacket round will be low recoil too (700 fps for the wadcutter, 770 fps for the 130gr FMJ). All the major brand names make a version of the 130 grain target load. Federal is notably cleaner than Remington/UMC.

Edited to add:
If your local dealer carries MAGTECH brand ammo, he should be able to get their ".38 Special Short" (Catalog #38G). This shoots a lighter, 125 grain bullet at only 686 fps. Range will be very limited, but for short range shooting it'll be your lightest load.

These cartridge are shorter than the standard .38 Special and are intended for cowboy action shootings were power isn't needed.

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BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

Probably the various 148 grain wadcutter match loads, but unfortunately, they are rather expensive. Use white box type "generic" ammo, such as Winchester Q loads or USA brand, Federal American Eagle or the Remington equivalent.

ohio, i am currently shooting these out of my S&W 686-4pp, good for plinking, low recoil and are priced at about half of what the 148gr wadcutters cost.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=74788

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There's nowt so queer as folk

Winchester white box 130's are a little bit fiercer than .22, but not much.

I was reading an article the other day where the tester was using a .38 snubbie and PMC 130 grain FMJ ammo...recoil was "mild" at 530 fps....

Bob

A+ For Mastercast Bullets. I have been dealing with them for years and have shot up ten’s of thousands for their reloads in 38,357 9mm and 45ACP. You can send in brass or just order reloads. I now buy all my bullets from them. Great people to deal with and fast turn around. Also made right here in the USA.