Recomend the mildest recoiling 38sp ammo

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gilfo

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Just bought a Ruger SP101 for the wife to use at home. She is not a shooter so I am looking for the mildest commercial recoiling 38sp to teach her how to shoot it. Don't want to scare her away with something that is going to beat her up. Also something for SD/HD down the line.
Thanks
 
I would highly recommend 148 grain wadcutter - it is low recoil, accurate and the full profile meplat will do the work necessary to make it effective. It penetrates straight-line and crushes its way through causing much damage. The Buffalo Bore 150 grain standard pressure wad cutter will go though two feet of ballistic gelatin at 900 fps with a little more recoil. http://www.brassfetcher.com/Buffalo...r standard pressure Hard Cast Wad Cutter.html The Federal Gold Match will go though 16" of ballistic gelatin at about 750 fps and as noted by Brassfetcher would be a good round for "recoil sensitive" shooters. http://www.brassfetcher.com/38wadcutter.html
 
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Absolutely the wimpiest .38sp load I know of is provided by Mastercast, a reloading service that I have used for years (www.mastercast.net). Their 100gr WC has the sound and recoil of a .22. Not recommended for 100 yard bowling pin destruction (never tried it for that), but an excellent beginner's load for targets at 5-10 yards. If you plan for her to shoot this load from a snubby, it may tear strips out of the target. This is not tumbling. It's just a low velocity hunk of lead inviting some of the target to come along with it. From a longer barrel this probably won't happen.

You can save a bundle by sending Mastercast an equal number and type of spent brass in exchange. I send them 1,500 - 2,000 cases by USPS Priority Mail, in their ten buck box. I know of no other way that comes close in saving.

Cordially, Jack
 
If you ever thought about reloading, this is the cartidge to learn how with.

148gr HBWC, 3.2gr of W-231, Small Pistol Primer=tons of fun!
 
Agree on the Wad Cutters.

I used to be able to find WC commercially loaded at 90 grain. can't find these now, but you should be able to find 105 gr or 110 gr. there are also 110 grain Winchester silvertips that are pretty low recoil, however, Silvertips are generally more expensive than wad cutters.
 
Don't be too wimpy. My wife is 5' tall, weighs about 110, is not a shooter.
But she does want protection at home while I'm away. She has a j-frame S&W .38spcl. About once a year she is willing to shoot it. She shoots with a standard .38 wadcutter with no problem.
 
I went to our cabin with my dad today and sighted in some scopes. Later, we fired my S&W model 10(4-inch barrel). We fired some 38+p Gold Dots and then some Winchester Silvertips, standard pressure. I was surprised at how noticeable the difference in recoil was, and in fact my follow-up shots were much more accurate. I am now considering buying a bit more of this load for my j-frame. You might as well.
 
I had one, get the Hogue grips for it. Really gives more control to the gun.

My GF hated my SP and the steel J-frame I had. She likes my G21sf a lot more, go figure.
 
Hello, gilfo, If you want to teach her about trigger control, sight-picture, etc. without any recoil at all, check out those rubber-reuasble bullets Midway sells, they were on sale last month I think. You can buy Speer plastic cases, or use once-fired brass scrounged from range. Flash-holes need to be drilled out to larger dia. to prevent primer set-back. A Lee priming tool with shell-holder, de-capping tool made from nail & block of wood with hole in it, a box of primers, and your good to go. Can shoot in basement for indoor winter fun.
 
Standard 130grain FMJ for target shooting (pretty much any brand), and for SD, I'd recommend 110 grain Winchester silver tip hollow point. Due to the light grain, the recoil isn't bad at all. I prefer it in my .38 Ultra Light over +P rounds any day.
 
My wife learned how to shoot a J Frame with Wad Cutters, and keeps her Mod 36 loaded with 125gr Federal Nyclad, which is in my opinion the most effective standard power 38 available.
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My wife is relatively recoil shy and she had no issues with my j-frame Taurus 85 with Winchester "white box". They are inexpensive and a good, mild target load. Should be very tame with in a SP101.

The Nyclad load that shooter1911 recommend would be a very good standard pressure load in 38 special.
 
Magtech 158gr LRN are the mildest I have shot. Pretty cheap and you can usually find them at any gun shop.
 
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