.38 spcl bullets; More speed=more pain

[snubsforme]

I made an interesting discovery this afternoon.

For the four years I have owned my Airweight 642 I have mistakenly believed lighter bullets recoiled less, so I avoided 148 and 158gr. cartridges. Usually I shoot 130gr. for practice and carry 110gr. Hydra-Shok. The 130's were not fun and 35 or so rounds would be all I could take. The Hydra-Shoks have always been very uncomfortable, a couple of cylinders was more than enough.

I kept hearing how 148gr. wadcutters are so nice, so I bought some. About the same time I found a good price on Magtech 158gr. lswc ammo. Thinking they are really gonna hurt, I only bought a couple of boxes to try out.

I was amazed fo find I have been completely wrong about bullet weight. The wadcutters were quite enjoyable and the 158's recoil is identical.

When I got home I looked up the specs:
Magtech 158 lswc-755 fps
Winchester 148 wadcutter-710 fps
Winchester 130 fmj-800 fps
Federal Hydra-Shok 110 jhp-980 fps

Well, there it is, the faster the bullet the more pain you're gonna feel. I am switching to carrying the 158's; heavier bullet, less recoil to upset follow up shots, only $16/box, and actually enjoyable to practice with.

I truly enjoyed shooting my Airweight for the first time. I used to dread practicing with it, but now I look forward to my next outing.

I hope this range report will be of value to all you Airweight shooters.

 

[robotoid]

Most wadcutter or semi-wadder cutter rounds have less powder charge than normal ammo, since they are target shooting loads only for the most part. So it may not be dependant on bullet weight alone, but also powder charge behind it.

 

[semperfi71]

Powder weight and not velocity or bullet weight can also affect felt recoil. A load of faster burning powder, in essence Bullseye versus H-110 will deliver perceptibly less recoil.

Another factor in judging "too much".

Have fun!!

 

[Cruiser RN]

It isn't the bullet or the charge behind it that is causing your pain.It is because you are using a Airweight as opposed to a Model 640.With my 640 I can shoot anything including 357 Magnum loads quite comfortably.The Airweight is designed to be easier to carry and for up close and personal situations but is not designed for long range sessions.I would carry the hydrashock rounds and use the wadcutters for range use.

 

[wheelgun28]

I shot some Remington 125g 38sp +p in my M-38, it made the my fillings in my teeth hurt, Im not kidding. It feels worse somehow than the 44 mag!!

When I shoot my standard 148G ( 2.8 to 3G of Bullseye) wad cutters its just fine and pleasant. I somehow doubt that 148 or 158 G defensive ammo would be even close...

 

[brucev]

The Magtech 158 gr. RN give excellent results in my COLT Det. Spec. I have not yet tried any 148 gr. Wadcutters. As soon as I can get set up, I will again be reloading nice little .38 Special rounds for my COLT and my S&W M-28. I figure I'll load a nice service level load and get reacquainted with the 28 and learn better how to shoot the COLT. Given the light weight of your 38, you might be well served with the 148 gr. wadcutters for practice reserving the full-power service loads for more serious encounters. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[gym2]

If you are into reloading, I have found 4.0 gr. of Trail Boss with a 158 gr. LSWC to be a very pleasant, yet authoritative load.

I am not sure of the velocity, but I can shoot these all day from my Model 12-2 in very accurate (despite me doing the shooting) manner.

 

[photoman]

Well, there it is, the faster the bullet the more pain you're gonna feel. I am switching to carrying the 158's; heavier bullet, less recoil to upset follow up shots, only $16/box, and actually enjoyable to practice with.

I would carry the 148gr full wadcutter before the 158gr semi-wadcutter.

 

[indiandave]

I shoot homemade 148gr wadcutters though my 642. I end my time at the range with a cylinder or Two of my carry ammunition.

To tame the kick of the little mule, try grips that cover the back strap.

 

[snubsforme]

Photoman:
Please explain why you'd choose 148 over 158? The 148 has a velocity of 710 fps with 166# of energy. The 158 is rated at 755 fps with 200#.
A heavier bullet traveling faster with more punch would be the best of the two, right?

 

[H Richard]

The heavier bullet takes a little more slowly push to dislodge it and start it down the barrel. I shoot lead cast 158 gr. with a Lyman recommended as most accurate load of 4.9 gr. 231. It chrons's at 906 fps and is not uncomfortable even in my mod 60 2". It is one of my most accurate loads and out of a 6" 686 will shoot under 2" at 25 yards.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I think I understand what you are sensing. I had a similiar experience that I couldn't explain. I've shot 240 grain jacketed bullets in both factory and reloads in 3 different .44 mags (a 29 and two 629 Classics) since the early 70s. In the early 90s I started loading 285 grain hard cast bullets over a max load of H110 for bear protection. This load recoiled so much less than the 240 jacketed load that I doubted that the bullet was doing 1000 fps. My Chrony said 1250 fps. I called the bullet manu (Beartooth Bullets) and asked how could this load be so light recoiling compared to the 240s?? Their explanation was that lead bullets don't recoil as sharply as jacketed bullets because of the easier obituration (My "layman" definition of obituration is that it's the process of the bullet being engraved by the rifling and conforming to the barrel). This may sound crazy, but if you could feel the difference in my 629, you'd agree that "something" was happening.

PS Before I started reloading the 285 grain hard casts I used 300 grain CorBon jacketed solids and they REALLY recoiled.

 

[photoman]

Photoman:
Please explain why you'd choose 148 over 158? The 148 has a velocity of 710 fps with 166# of energy. The 158 is rated at 755 fps with 200#.
A heavier bullet traveling faster with more punch would be the best of the two, right?

I prefer the full diameter bullet. The SWC will tend to act more like a round nose bullet. Just my opinion.

 

[mje]

If obituration was a significant force, it should *lessen* recoil, not increase it, as the force is acting towards the muzzle!

Recoil is reaction to the total energy of the bullet and of the escaping gasses, and the recoil due to gas is not insignificant. That's why muzzle brakes work ;-) Although the mass of the powder may only be 5-10gr, the exit velocity is perhaps 1,500-2,000fps or more. 8gr of powder traveling 2,000fps would generate 70 ft-lbs of energy.