Looking for opinions on the lightest recoil 38 special rounds that are factory produced off the shelf ammo. Was wondering if the lighter grain stuff is better than the heavier grain stuff like say 115 grn 9mm kicks less than the 147 grain stuff does. Looking for suggestions and decent opinions from you fellow 38 special shooters. The test specimens are a 340PD, 642 and M&P 340 (soon to be added in the stable). Thanks..
Lightest recoiling 38 special factory loading suggestions please?
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Miracle Man
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Yes you are correct: lighter bullet = less recoil in most instances.
I'm not very well versed in factory ammo as I'm a reloader and shoot little factory ammo. Lead is generally loaded to lower velocities than jacketed bullets. So find a lighter lead load and that's a good place to start.
I would try 148 grain mid range match ammunition. 148 gr full wadcutter
Alk8944
US Veteran
148 grain Hollow Base Wad-Cutter. Right now, and for the foreseeable future, whatever you can find on-line or at a local dealer. Brand really doesn't matter with this load.
Match/target 148 grain hollow base wadcutters are about 710 fps. Not only are they a light load and easy on the gun, they are deadly accurate. Factory or duplicate reloaded ammo was all that was used in PPC shooting in the day and that would include 50 yards.
In almost any caliber, the light weight "Target ammo" is your best bet at a light recoiling round.
Light bullet, slow fps : minimum recoil.
Some use the Power Factor. bullet grs x fps = PF
9mm target is around 125 PF. +P around 153 PF
38 148gr 2" J frame around 103 PF.
Light bullet, slow fps : minimum recoil.
Some use the Power Factor. bullet grs x fps = PF
9mm target is around 125 PF. +P around 153 PF
38 148gr 2" J frame around 103 PF.
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I agree with the other posters that a 148 grain wadcutter would be your best bet. If you cannot find any of those something designed for cowboy action shooting would be a close second. Both are designed for target shooting in competitions where there is no minimum power factor.
As far as brands, whatever you can find. Wadcutters are still hard to find. SGammo has Magtech wadcutters in stock. If they run out you could try the 125 grain lead bullet ammo that Georgia Arms sells.
As far as brands, whatever you can find. Wadcutters are still hard to find. SGammo has Magtech wadcutters in stock. If they run out you could try the 125 grain lead bullet ammo that Georgia Arms sells.
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Autonomous
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I looked into the same issue and came to the conclusion the 148 gr wadcutter is your answer.
Doug M.
Member
And, for good measure, it is a decent SD load due to the flat nose/square shape, and the lack of recoil means not much chance of a flinch. On the rare occasions on which I carry a .38 snub, that's my preferred load.
41 mag Dave
Member
For the lightest recoil, I load a Lyman 358101 75gr wadcutter at 600 fps. It is fun!
.38SuperMan
Member
I know you said factory ammo but I’m going to throw this in anyway. I shoot a lot if 38spl and have arthritis in my hands and wrists so mild loads are a must for me. I won’t give specifics but I can shoot about a hundred rounds before pain sets in with a 125 Berrys flat point using Accurate #2. I do pretty well also with a 158 polymer coated lead SWC or RNFP and Accurate Nitro 100NF. I’ve found consistent results and very mild recoil with good accuracy with both. I primarily shoot in a K38 or a variety of Colt Pythons and King Cobras with 2” to 6” barrels. The heavier the gun the better the shock absorption and with lighter guns I use Pachmayr full coverage rubber grips. The faster the powder and the lighter the bullet the les recoil you’ll experience.
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Another recommendation for the 148 grain mid-range hollow base wadcutter.
One thing to keep in mind. I learned many, many years ago that you might have to fire a couple of cylinders full of the wadcutters before the bore becomes conditioned to the lube and starts providing the best accuracy. In other words, don't just fire one group and give up on them!
Best of luck!
One thing to keep in mind. I learned many, many years ago that you might have to fire a couple of cylinders full of the wadcutters before the bore becomes conditioned to the lube and starts providing the best accuracy. In other words, don't just fire one group and give up on them!
Best of luck!
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Many companies make .38 Special 130 gr FMJ, generally lightly loaded. If you are looking for practice/range rounds it will be quite a bit easier to find and less expensive than 148 gr WC, but likely less accurate.
Anything below 900 fps and above 135 grain should be just fine. As others have mentioned, full wadcutters usually fall into that range.
Skeptic 9c
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Hornady .38 Special 90 gr FTX Critical Defense Lite:
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/38-special-90-gr-ftx-critical-defense-lite#!/
Grab it when you see it.
Geoff
Who notes he carries it in his 638 because his wife shoots it well in the Model 38 she annexed for her own use.
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/38-special-90-gr-ftx-critical-defense-lite#!/
Grab it when you see it.
Geoff
Who notes he carries it in his 638 because his wife shoots it well in the Model 38 she annexed for her own use.
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If you can find it - the 148 grain target wad cutters are extremely light shooting loads. If not, the standard velocity 158 grain RNL loads are about the best I can think of. They are pretty anemic these days.
Without a doubt, the 148 grain HBWC Target ammunition is the way to go. It is alkso Very Accurate in many firearms.
The Cowboy action loads as a followup are usually light shooting, but do not have precision accuracy as part of their build. At least not like the 148 Match ammunition
Being a Model 52 shooter, I always keep a supply of the Target ammunition on hand from various manufacturers
The Cowboy action loads as a followup are usually light shooting, but do not have precision accuracy as part of their build. At least not like the 148 Match ammunition
Being a Model 52 shooter, I always keep a supply of the Target ammunition on hand from various manufacturers
