38 spl - matching firing characterisitics

[motoguzzima]

I am just wading into the reloading waters and I am thinking I would like to try and fairly well duplicate the recoil and accuracy characteristics of the Hornady Critical Defense load in a cheaper target load for practicing with. The Hornady box says it has a muzzle velocity of 1010 fps, and 940 at 50 yards. It uses a 110 gr bullet. I figure 25 yards would be a reasonable target distance to use as a reference point for accuracy comparisons. I am shooting an S&W Airweight, 1 7/8" barrel.

1) would I be correct in assuming that if I load to a similar velocity that I will get pretty similar recoil?

2) which bullet weight is likely to serve this purpose better - 105 gr or 125 gr?

TIA

 

[Pigirondan]

7 yards, maybe even 12 yards at most, should be the practice distance. There is no reason to shoot anything as hot routinely.

 

[setxn]

Handloads.com list 16 loads with 110 gr bullets and most are in the velocity range you wanted.

 

[HKSmith]

Welcome to reloading! The recoil energy of a gun is proportional to the square of both the mass of what's leaving the barrel (bullet + powder) and its velocity and inversely proportional to the mass of the gun. If your reloads replicate the Hornady round, they'll have essentially the same recoil energy. You can get the same recoil energy with a different weight bullet by changing the muzzle velocity. Just Google recoil energy calculator and plug in some numbers. The Hornady round has a recoil energy in your gun of about 6.8 ft-lbs, assuming a powder charge of 7 grains and a gun weight of 0.9 lbs. Keep in mind that the Hornady numbers are for a 4 inch barrel; the velocity in your gun will be 50-100 ft/sec slower. With a 125 grain bullet, you'd only need 920 ft/sec to get the same 6.8 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

Another consideration is that changing bullet weight will change the point of impact on the target, particularly at a distance of 25 yards. Heavier bullets will print higher than lighter bullets even though the heavier bullet is moving slower.

I think 25 yards is too great a distance for practice with an Airweight snubby. While I've sometimes fired these guns at longer distances for fun, their practical use is more like 7-15 yards, especially if you're just getting started. I would guess that 99% of self-defense scenarios play out at even closer distances.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

1) would I be correct in assuming that if I load to a similar velocity that I will get pretty similar recoil?

2) which bullet weight is likely to serve this purpose better - 105 gr or 125 gr?

TIA

I see you use the same name over on The High Road... Like I said over there:

Just matching the velocity won't guarantee you the recoil will feel the same and rarely does. I spoke a lot about this a while back in a thread on the other forum were we discussed replicating Speer 135gr Short Barrel .38 Special +P ammo. You are going to have to find the powder that will not only match the amount of recoil but how the recoil feels. Not and easy task without a hint on where to start. Speer was kind enough to make a few suggestions and I think I was able to make a good replica. I'm not sure Hornady will be as accommodating.

As for bullet weight, if they use a 110gr bullet your best bet would to also use a 110gr bullet. Hornady XTP bullets are cheap enough and they are accurate too.

 

[TheTinMan]

Handloads.com list 16 loads with 110 gr bullets and most are in the velocity range you wanted.

Respectfully, Handloads.com cannot be trusted as safe load data. It may be useful to an experienced hand loader as confirmation of data drawn from reliable, published sources. However, I have seen some downright dangerously hot loads on that site.

Two reloading manuals are a minimum for me. Between Hornady, Lyman and Sierra manuals, I've got most of my bases covered. The Hodgdon, Accurate Arms, Vihta Vuori, and Alliant websites ARE reliable online data.

 

[Titegroups]

Welcome to reloading! The recoil energy of a gun is proportional to the square of both the mass of what's leaving the barrel (bullet + powder) and its velocity and inversely proportional to the mass of the gun. If your reloads replicate the Hornady round, they'll have essentially the same recoil energy. You can get the same recoil energy with a different weight bullet by changing the muzzle velocity. Just Google recoil energy calculator and plug in some numbers. The Hornady round has a recoil energy in your gun of about 6.8 ft-lbs, assuming a powder charge of 7 grains and a gun weight of 0.9 lbs. Keep in mind that the Hornady numbers are for a 4 inch barrel; the velocity in your gun will be 50-100 ft/sec slower. With a 125 grain bullet, you'd only need 920 ft/sec to get the same 6.8 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

Another consideration is that changing bullet weight will change the point of impact on the target, particularly at a distance of 25 yards. Heavier bullets will print higher than lighter bullets even though the heavier bullet is moving slower.

I think 25 yards is too great a distance for practice with an Airweight snubby. While I've sometimes fired these guns at longer distances for fun, their practical use is more like 7-15 yards, especially if you're just getting started. I would guess that 99% of self-defense scenarios play out at even closer distances.

Your equation is missing a significant element, time. Energy is only one part. The time it's dissipated in makes all the difference.