Kentucky Armory Club

I'm looking for practice ammo for my senior aunt. She just recently purchased her first handgun, a Ruger LCRx 38spl. Her primary complaint is "recoil", put simply, "it hurts her hand to shoot it". Shes well into her 60s and basically has zero past shooting experience. I've taken her shooting twice to slowly ease her into becoming familiar with the gun and it's operation -- I'm proud to say that as of today, she's "on paper" at 15 feet (baby steps).

With that said, what is a good commercially available ammo for her to practice with? I've heard heavier bullets have less recoil, I've heard that lighter bullets have less recoil (I'm sure both statements are true when combined with certain powder specs). I hear 148gr wadcutters recommended more than any other option, also "cowboy rounds" too.

I figure if I can get her comfortable and competent with the gun using commercial ammo, then if/when she ever needs it for self defense, recoil will be the last thing on her mind regardless of what ammo she has chambered.

Which LCRx does she have?
I just looked them up and one model is 13.5oz and has a rather smallish grip the other 15.7 oz with a larger grip
I would say if she has the 13.5oz model it's lighter weight and small grip are not helping.

WLJ wrote:Which LCRx does she have?
I just looked them up and one model is 13.5oz and has a rather smallish grip the other 15.7 oz with a larger grip
I would say if she has the 13.5oz model it's lighter weight and small grip are not helping.

She has the lighter one, and yes, the lack of weight is not helping. It was sold to her on the premise that the softer grip (softer than a J frame) and the polymer frame would help to absorb the felt recoil.

The two compared.

Yep, she has the snubby up top

This seems to be, so far, the weakest stuff (185 ft.lbs) I can find though I will say I'm not overly fond of WWB ammo
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/winches ... -4222.aspx

primered cases and wax bullets

CCI Aluminum case stuff is soft shooting might be worth trying a box.


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The answer is 148 grain wadcutters. [/thread]

Frailer wrote:The answer is 148 grain wadcutters. [/thread]

This

Are 148gr Wadcutters easy to find? I don't recall ever seeing them, but Ive never looked either.

WLJ wrote:The two compared.

My mother had the 13 ounce LCR. She did not like it due to the recoil. Luckily she was able to trade it in for the purchase price and get the larger frame. She can handle that one better.

It's her first (second) firearm and she rather enjoys it now.

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RedRocker wrote:Are 148gr Wadcutters easy to find? I don't recall ever seeing them, but Ive never looked either.

“Easy” is a relative term. They’re not *nearly* as common (nor as cheap) as they were a few decades ago, but they’re out there:

http://www.sgammo.com/product/38-specia ... occhi-38la

I love shooting them, and I buy them whenever I find them on sale or at a gun show (just look for the oldest-looking, most battered boxes in the 38 Special section of any ammo dealer’s table). They’re very soft-shooting, very accurate, and they’re nothing to sneeze at for defensive purposes.

Frailer wrote:

RedRocker wrote:Are 148gr Wadcutters easy to find? I don't recall ever seeing them, but Ive never looked either.

“Easy” is a relative term. They’re not *nearly* as common (nor as cheap) as they were a few decades ago, but they’re out there:

http://www.sgammo.com/product/38-specia ... occhi-38la

I love shooting them, and I buy them whenever I find them on sale or at a gun show (just look for the oldest-looking, most battered boxes in the 38 Special section of any ammo dealer’s table). They’re very soft-shooting, very accurate, and they’re nothing to sneeze at for defensive purposes.

So Ive learned -- I visited and called a couple local brick n mortar stores today to no avail. I did however find several online options, and for the most part the prices were between FMJ and HP ammo, and then you add shipping. I lucked into finding some Fiochi at Academy Sports (online) with free shipping. I got one box on the way for my aunt to try out, if she loves it I will find her a few boxes so she can enjoy her new toy. If the recoil is still beyond her comfort zone, Ill just get my hands on a 22LR version of the LCRx and convince her to trade with me.