Couple general ammo questions

[Off-Road]

I've had my 686 for about a year now. I've scoured through the internet for random information on different topics to learn more about the 686, the .357 load, etc. What I've seen come up on several occasions is that people compare 125gr vs 158gr and mention the 158gr has more recoil. Why is this? Lets assume it's the same brand and "model" of ammo.

How can the 158grs have more recoil if they have the same amount of gun powder? Does the slower FPS of the heavier bullet give the gun powder more burn time leading to more harnessed energy? If someone could explain this I'd appreciate it.


The other thing I wanted to talk about that is less technical is ammo recommendations. My 686 is a 4" model if it matters, but for me it serves two purposes. Wild life protection, and home protection. Though I've been fortunate to not encounter any dangerous wild life I still want to be prepared. I live in the Mid-atlantic area, and black bears are pretty much the most dangerous animal I can encounter. Which fortunately are not very aggressive. I was thinking about loading the 686 with buffalo bore 180gr hard cast rounds. What do you guys think? Hopefully I won't even have to use it because it will probably damage my hearing. Which actually brings me to my next topic.

Right now, for home defence I use hornandy 158gr XTP, which I think is a bit over kill. I wanted to go down to .38 special rounds because of the lower noise level and recoil. Recoil isn't much of an issue since I mostly shoot hot .357 rounds at the range, but like I said earlier I'm worried about hearing loss. Plus I live in a town house and over penetration can be an issue. I'm not talking about .38 +P, but just the good old underpowered .38 special that lead to the creation of the .357 mag. My thinking here is most criminals will freeze and poop their pants at the sight of a gun. I saw the statistics somewhere, and I'm pretty sure it's close to 87-90%. The other thought is, i wont use a weapon unless it's absolutely necessary, at which point you're shooting to kill so it's a matter of shot placement. But I've been fortunate to not be in such a situation, so maybe you guys know better and if a .38 sp is really a stupid idea then I'd reconsider, but I'm not all hyped about"stopping power", and putting big holes through flesh. The way I see, you can get the job done with a .22lr.

 

[Steve C]

What I've seen come up on several occasions is that people compare 125gr vs 158gr and mention the 158gr has more recoil. Why is this?

Recoil is a function of momentum and Newtons third law of physics that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The bullet and powder is expelled in one direction and the gun is pushed with equal momentum in the opposite direction. The amount of recoil velocity imparted to the handgun depends upon the total mass of the handgun and the mass bullet and powder being expelled times its velocity.

Here is a link to a Recoil Calculator. Plug in some numbers and see why the 158gr has more recoil than the 125gr if the guns used are the same weight.

I'm not all hyped about"stopping power", and putting big holes through flesh. The way I see, you can get the job done with a .22lr.

All ammo will be loud and will potentially cause hearing loss. Your hearing will generally recover from one or two round exposure. Any bullet that will penetrate a human being enough to potentially kill them will penetrate gypboard walls so you are not gaining any safety for your neighbors thinking that standard .38 spl will "keep them safer".

A good JHP that hits its target will be less likely to shoot through and assailant and injure someone beyond but a miss will be dangerous regardless. Any solid bullet will go through several non masonry walls be they standard pressure or +P .38's.

There are some relatively effective standard pressure .38 spl loads in 110 and 125gr but they pale in comparison to any .357 mag loading. I'd suggest Remingtons 125gr Golden Sabers in .357 mag if you want a bit less muzzle blast and recoil but still want a more effective load than .38 spl in +P. These are medium velocity loads at 1,240 fps vrs full powr 1,450 fps. The lighter bullet loads will generally expand more and penetrate less than heavier bullets.

In a self defense situation, your life and health along with your families life and health are on the line. If you are willing to increase the risk to yourself and family of not stopping a potential attacker to get lower recoil and muzzle blast then that is your decision.

Check this website for some idea of relative effectiveness of various ammo for comparison only: Handloads.Com - Stopping Power

 

[SMSgt]

Kick a golfball, then kick a bowling ball. Which hurts more? The above post explains it well in the technical terms, but basically it takes more power to push a heavier bullet, thus the reaction is more recoil.

 

[crofoot629]

I like Double Tapp's 125 JHP @ 1600 from a 4" gun.

Lots of bears and cats here. I don't worry so much about them when I'm in the nearby forest as to change my loads for them. My dog pretty well keeps the black bears out of my yard anyway.

Emory

 

[Prof_Fate]

Generally as bullets get heavier you use less powder in a handgun. Some feel heavier bullets are actually lower in recoil, and the bullets travel slower. Often they are quieter as they are subsonic (not with a .357 magnum though).