Reduced recoil loads for .38 Special

[Grantspastor]

My wife has expressed an interest in learning to shoot, with the idea that she will obtain a CCP. She lacks the hand strength to operate the slide on the various pistols I own. I bought her a 2" .38 special revolver, as it seems to be the best all around choice for her. I want her to shoot a lot, but fear that if the recoil is at all unpleasant for her she won't be motivated to learn properly and become proficient. I wonder if anyone has a good reduced recoil load? Most likely will have her shooting 148 grain wadcutters for practice. Thanks in advance

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[carver]

Now that you have bought her a gun, you need to take her to a range that rents guns, and let her shoot some of them. I also bought my wife a .38, and she didn't like it nearly as much as my .380. Needless to say, she is now the owner of that .380, and I wound up with the .38. Just let her decide what she wants. With practice she will have no problem working the slide on a small caliber pistol. The .38 wadcutter is what I use for practice, it's cheap to reload, and fun to shoot with out as much recoil.

[indiandave]

I like 148 HBWC's loaded over 3 grains of Winchester 231. This load is gentle on the recoil and shoots well. It may also work for your wife as a defensive load.

[Hamour]

The classic 148gr wadcutter load is 2.7grs Bullseye powder.
3 grs is also a good load but a little hotter.

[rainmaker]

I agree on the HBWC. A 2 in bbl 38 revolver is great for carry, but it is a hard gun to master. (I carry a 2-1/4 bbl Ruger SP101) It will not be a target piece, so try to keep your wife's practice at short range, and "big paper" targets. She may well get discouraged if all her shooting is 25 yards, like most public ranges have, and she has a hard time hitting a bullseye. Good luck !

[retsupt99]

My wife has expressed an interest in learning to shoot, with the idea that she will obtain a CCP. She lacks the hand strength to operate the slide on the various pistols I own. I bought her a 2" .38 special revolver, as it seems to be the best all around choice for her. I want her to shoot a lot, but fear that if the recoil is at all unpleasant for her she won't be motivated to learn properly and become proficient. I wonder if anyone has a good reduced recoil load? Most likely will have her shooting 148 grain wadcutters for practice. Thanks in advance

You wouldn't want to practice with the SD stuff any way...$28-$30 a box.

Also, she may just surprise you with what she could handle if introduced to it the right way...so once she shoots a little, let her try the SD stuff.

OMO

[frankmako]

148gr wads is the way to go.