carry loads for Arthritic Hands

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Mickey Rat

Mickey Rat

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Jun 5, 2012
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I'm 64 and have hand loaded since about 1975. I've developed serious arthritis in my hands and reload softball loads to suit me. I shoot 22LR, 9mm (Hi-Power), 44 SPL (200 gr @ 750 FPS in S&W 8 3/8 Model 29 and 45ACP (Colt 1917) rotating between the 44 & 45 weekly. I shoot weekly with 4 friends. I need to carry light weight handguns due to wearing shorts & Tee shirts most days. I've got no butt, so any weight causes constant pulling down my pants. Belts don't help & suspenders are a pain. I carried a 10.5 ounce S&W 317 8 shot 22LR stubby for years. I just upgraded to a 10.5 ounce S&W 351PD 7 shot 22MAG. I tried to go with a 10.5 ounce S&W 337 5 shot 38SPL but even with oversized grips (even ERGO Delta) and Hornady 90 grain FTX Critical Defense it hurts too much to practice. I even tried Liberty 50 grain HP & Ruger ARC 60 grain. Both are painfull and waaaaay too low below point of aim. I've been reading up on 38 Wadcutter loads and may try them. Back in the day when Hi-Vel pioneered light for caliber high speed hollow points I carried 148 grain hollow base wadcutters loaded backwards & hot. Lots of people did. Factory wadcutters were also popular. I sometimes went with a factory 200 grain RNL (they tumbled on contact). Any suggestions.
 
Nothing in 38 from them but I buy a lot of gas checked bullets in many calibers from them. The company is great to deal with and their products are top notch.:thumbup:
 
I have found that when loading ammo for less felt recoil when the same velocity is generated a slower powders will produce softer felt recoil than a faster powder will.

Since you reload instead of using Clays, Bullseye, AA#2, Red Dot, Zip, W231 and the like give HS-6 a try. I haven't tried W572 a try yet or I would report on it. Not all slower powders will do this but I know HS-6 will.
 
I don't want to be one of those guys who gives medical advice and knows nothing about it. Just a question. Have you explored other treatment options for your arthritis pain?
I have loaded 148 wad cutters in 38 that shot very soft. Not perfect for SD but even a slow 148 grain slug has some punch. I think I've used red dot and bullseye. I can look up my data if needed.
 
Zendude said:
I'm not sure that any 38 loads are going to feel very good in a 10.5 oz. gun. Probably need at least a 16 oz. gun.
Click to expand...

I think that is right. The Ruger LCR was engineered with recoil in mind, and Hogue came up with a nice recoil-dampening grip for it. The .357 version is 16 ounces. If you haven't fired one with middling .38 Special loads, you ought to.

[The 38 Special version is lighter (12.5 oz?), but I have no experience shooting it..]
 
Those 75 grain wadcutters are also available from Western Bullet (although not as cheaply, but check out his price on the Keith 358429!), as are 115 grain hollowpoints. Alloy is 12 Brinell, IIRC, so those shouldn't require TOO much velocity to open up a little (the hollowpoints). Shipping times from this shop can be a little slow, but I've generally had good results. I think it's a one-man shop, so I cut him some slack.
http://westernbullet.com/3535738caliber.html

100 grain RNFP and 105 grain TC bullets available here:
https://www.badmanbullets.com/OnlineStore/index.php
I bought some 10 mm bullets from them a few years ago and liked them.
 
I ordered the 38 cal 75 gr wadcutters & 44 cal 150 gr LWC and 130 gr LRN. I'll try the 44s in my Rossi 44MAG stubbie. I like 44 cal but have to be careful about the load. I've always liked big bores. In 44 I have S&W 29 8 3/8in 44MAG, S&W 624 6in 44SPL, Taurus 2in 44MAG (Steel frame), Rossi 2in 44SPL (lightweight frame) and an old Charter Arms Bulldog 3in 44SPL.

I know that lighter HP loads won't open unless pushed fast & I'm sure 2 75gr (150 gr loaded) 38 wadcutters should have a bit more thump (even @ 700-750 fps) than a 22LR or 22MAG. The Rossi only weighs 16.4 oz loaded (200 gr Silvertips). Testing will tell.
 
An idea for the 44 is to buy or trim the brass to the length of a 44 Russian cartridge and use load data for the 44 Russian.
 
KB, thanks for the link. I'm still waiting for the bullets, but they shoud be here tomorrow. Tomorrow is Range Day, so I won't be able to try them till next seek. My current "enough gun" solution:
I'm 64, overweight, arthritic with a bad knee & back. I pulled up my pants for 25 years and carried what I wanted. Now, arthritic hands, light clothing and no butt limits what I'm willing & able to carry. A gun is a tool. A handgun is not really adequate, period. If a handgun is presented, the attacker will 1: stop or not. Nobody wants to get shot, even a little. 2: Handgun fires. Attacker stops or not. 3: Attacker hit one or more times, not in PHYSICAL or NEURAL stopping area (head, spine, hip or knee) then he will continue attack. Most GSW aren't fatal. Period. Best for me? 22 lr or 22 mag revolver (remember, bad hands) 10.5 oz S&W 317 (8×22lr) or 351PD (7×22mag). I try to avoid bad areas, maintain situational awareness and carry even in my living room. I also have a range at home & shoot weekly with 3 or 4 friends. I can still keep all rounds on a playing card DA from 10 yds. All on a USPSA target rapid fire without sights @ 7 yds. You work with the tools you have, optiomise your skills & hope for the best. If you shoot them & they don't stop, caliber won't be the problem. Carried for 40 years & almost needed it three times. A handgun can change you perception. Holding a gun in your hand in your pocket allows you to control your fear and in my case the situation enough to escape the situation. Actuality showing a gun is sometimes enough. This "enough gun" has and will continue forever. It all starts with RULE NUMBER ONE: have a gun, then work on the rest.
 
BTW my S&W 351PD 7 shot 22mag will shoot EVERY 22lr I've tried in it. I know I'm not supposed to, but I bought it HOPING it would. I fired thousands and thousands of rounds thru my S&W 317 8 shot 22lr before I upgraded to the 22mag. Problems: Accuracy sucks (best hold 3" worst 8" @ 10 yds), Some brands tumble, most won't eject all cases (extractor won't catch case heads ) but usually just leaves one case. Cases ALWAYS swell. Sometimes case necks split but only causes lower velocity. AM I pleased? Heck yes. I shoot a LOT of 22lr (CCI's cause least problems & best accuracy). Then I brush out the cylinder, fire a few rounds of cheap 22mag, reload with carry loads & call it a day. But 4.00/50 beats 12.00-16.00/50 all day long & the ONLY reason I do it.
P.S. Just because I do it don't make it OK for you. I'm independently stupid, try it at your own risk.
 
Mickey - My hands aren't arthritic enough to limit my shooting, but I am limited in movement and my reactions aren't that good any longer. I gave in to the need for a cane last year. Purchased a Cold Steel Dragon Stick, one of their self defense canes. My thought is to attack with the cane until I can pull my gun. Something for you to consider with your back & knee issues. Amazing what can be done with a plastic stick. I posted a review at both Cold Steel and Midway websites.
 
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