LIGHT load request-.38 special

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critter

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I need a true 'mouse fart' load for my wife to shoot in her Ruger LCR in .38 special. Her hand strength and stamina is limited and is a bit arthritic.

I will be using 125 gr cast RN and Bullseye powder. How low can I go without getting in trouble?

I also COULD use the same bullets with Unique, but I thought Bullseye would be safer for really light loads.

Thanks for sharing any experience you have in that area.
 
Lyman's 49th Loading Manual has 120 grain lead at 2.8 grains of Bullseye. That should give you a start.

For really light loads I like TRAIL BOSS. I use 3.4 grains for 158 grains.
 
I don't load any lead but with a plated 125gr bullet I use 4.4gr of Hodgedon PB. I use a magnum primer and powder location is not a problem. They burn clean and felt recoil is almost non existent.

UL
 
Lyman's 49th Loading Manual has 120 grain lead at 2.8 grains of Bullseye. That should give you a start.

OP asked specifically for a Bullseye load. This is it. This load has the felt recoil of an airgun. There is no need to go any lower.

My training load for lady beinners is 2.9 under the normal 158gr SWC with similar results, maybe .22 rimfire recoil.

I predict this thread will become a long list of every 38 load known to man, and most will not include the components you already have on hand. Watch. :D
 
I've loaded a bunch for my wife to shoot in her 442, 125gr Bayou Bullets, 3.6gr Bullseye, (smallest hole in my Lee set up), shoots like a .22, gets me giggling when I shoot 'em.
 
I don't have a 38 special as light as the LCR, but that 2.8 gr load of Bullseye under a 120 gr. LSWC or 144 gr. WC is VERY mild and is usually darn accurate out to 25 yards. I've used this ammo to train children and my wife. She has small hands and occasional bouts of arthritis and has had no problem with recoil with these loads. It might be possible to go use less Bullseye (one of my favorite powders) but I doubt the difference in recoil would be noticeable.

Please let us know how your wife does with the Ruger and these light loads.

Jeff
 
If you can find trail boss, that makes an even softer load than bullseye, and really fills the case up at the same time.
2 grains under a 125 grain bullet is slick and light.
 
I regularly load 3.5 grains of Bullseye behind a 133 grain cast bullet, and I have no doubt that the 2.8 grain load suggested for your bullet would be a good one.

Don
 
The lights loads discussed above will all work just fine.
I loaded up 500 rounds of .38sp with 158gr LSWC and 3gr of bullseye and put them in a range bag for my wife when she took a women's handgun safety class geared for novice female shooters. The nstructors were female state trooper and county deputy. They all liked wifes revolver (colt diamondback) and light loads and all took turns with it. The range bag came back a lot lighter.
 
The lights loads discussed above will all work just fine.
I loaded up 500 rounds of .38sp with 158gr LSWC and 3gr of bullseye and put them in a range bag for my wife when she took a women's handgun safety class geared for novice female shooters. The nstructors were female state trooper and county deputy. They all liked wifes revolver (colt diamondback) and light loads and all took turns with it. The range bag came back a lot lighter.

Now, try to convince them that they need to get used to something with real recoil for defensive use.
 
I deleted a couple of posts questioning the safety of loading below book data. Not because of that, but because of the other personal content in the posts. Questioning the safety of something is never a bad thing. We should always be cautious in our hobby.

It's was a good idea to ask here about loads not in the books, as many people have a lot of experience with them. Yes, beginners should definitely stay withing the parameters of proven load data, but for as long as handloading has existed handloaders have experimented. We all do this at our own risk when we do of course, and the more experience one has the less likely they are to get into trouble, but it can still happen.

People have been loading the .38 Spl to very light levels forever. It can be done safely, but it can get you into trouble as well. Certain powders are more suitable for it than others. If we are willing to point the muzzle up before every shot to get the powder against the primer, even more loads are safe, but I prefer loads that will get the bullet out of the barrel 100% of the time regardless of powder position.

Bullseye has been used for light .38 Spl loads for a very long time, just be careful with light loads and make sure the bullet always exits the barrel before firing another shot. I would advise against jacketed bullets for this, plated can be iffy, though doable, but lead is the safest way to go because it has the least friction. Soft lead HBWCs or soft lead 125 Gr or lighter lead bullets are best suited.
 
i have success for my wife with 3.0gr of Bullseye with a 158gr SWC.
Pleasant to shoot.
A happy wife makes a happy life!
 
Hondo 60's .38 Special Mouse Fart Load

125 gr LRN with 3.2gr of Titegroup!

Great load - accurate in my guns - especially a S&W Model 10 - and S-O-F-T shooting.
Chrono'd to about 690-700 fps
 
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