Hi! I have a chance to get a Model 52-2, so reloads will become necessary, as factory ammo is pretty high. Since the wadcutter is low velocity and pretty mild, do the cases last a long time; without having to be trimmed. I know the tolerances are tight on the model 52, and have read about them being finicky. I'm not a reloader, but I know someone who is. He said reloading for them is not a problem or trimming cases. He is a friend, so he might just be, being kind to me. He has been loading for years, but I wanted some other opinions, before I jump in the fire. I don't want to become a burden on him, or get hit with unforeseen problems on the ammo. I appreciate all opinions, positive or negative. Thanks Mike

At the pressures generated by target Wadcutter .38 Special ammo the brass will last almost forever. They are easy to load and probably are the least expensive .38s to load too. The bullets are not expensive and the ammo is accurate.

Just as an example, without buying brass and at current component prices it would cost about $5.48/50 rounds so it won't cost you a lot to shoot that gun.

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Sounds like a good friend -- I do exactly the same for my best shootin' bro. He doesn't compete with his 52's, just for fun and enjoyment so he probably only needs 5-6 boxes a year and I shoot far more 52 than that so it's no bother for me.

Alternatively...
Precision Delta offers remanufactured .38 Wadcutter ammo using their own 148gr swaged hollow base wadcutters, exactly the bullet that 52's love to eat. The price isn't catastrophic either, you should check them out. I have not personally tried their ammo but I'm a very satisfied customer (countless thousands) of their bullets.

Also, and you knew it was coming...
Handloading is the most rewarding gun-related hobby ever, and .38 Special is absolutely the perfect place to start. That's truly your best answer.

S&W Model 52's are an absolute joy to handle, own and shoot. If you are considering one, I can only speak from the heart:

HELL YES!

Thanks to everyone for the great info, on the wadcutters. Yes, the guy who said he would reload them for me; has been my good friend for 40 years. We worked together for years, watched each others kids grow up, and our wives even get along with each other. So he would tell me it was no problem to load the wadcutters, even if it was. I've shot lots of his .45's over the years, so he does a good job. If anyone else has thoughts on wadcutter reloading, I'd be glad to listen. Thanks again! Mike

I have been reloading for my 52's for many years and it is like reloading for any other straight walled pistol cartridge. I just start out with the brass being new [Starline] and never trimmed a case. I also use Precision Delta bullets as they are reasonably priced and perform well.


Sevens had a good suggestion about just buying remanufactured ammo from P.D. It's not that expensive.


Enjoy your 52 as they are really fun to shoot.

As previously noted, the 52 is pretty easy to load for. Since the case head spaces on the rim, trim length is not super critical.

Having the bullet seated case-mouth flush is critical though. Standard load for the 52 has typically been a HBWC over 2.8 grains of Bullseye. I have cases that have over 30 reloads on them.

The 52 is a fun gun to shoot but it does require very careful follow-through to really get the accuracy it is noted for.

All good advice from the posts above. I have several 1000 R-P nickle cases I’ve been using to reload for at least 10 years. I trimmed them all to 1.145” the first time and don’t bother trimming again. Not sure how many times I have reloaded these cases but it is more than 20 times each. When I picked the nickle R-P Casey’s it is because they were nickle and had two body cannelure crimps, that made them distinctive from all the other 38 special cases. When I pick them up at the range, I can easily sort out my M52 cases from the others.
George

I have 38 WC Target load cases that have been reloaded at least 40 times.
Trim once just to even them up and that's all .
Straight walled revolver cases in low pressure loads just do not grow.
Gary

Many years ago my father used to shoot a 52 at bullseye matches.

He was meticulous when it came to loading his match ammo. He always started with about 2,000-3,000 pieces of once shot Federal brass that came from local police range after qualification week. He would clean and trim them all to uniform length before loading them for first time. He would never trim them again. His match load was 2.9gr Winchester 231 with 152gr button nose wadcutter bullet that was cast by a local guy. He would load them twice for matched and after that they became his practice brass.

I segregate the brass and only use it in the model 52. Also try the loaded rounds in the magazines to insure they function. Something unusual about the 52, I have reloaded cases that were fired in it without resizing the case. The old Remington 148 gr hbwc were about .360 od and would fit in the unsized case, slightly recrimped and function fine. 2.8 grains Bullseye. Other than loosing a case occassionally, the cases will last many years.

I want to thank everyone, for their comments and info, on wadcutter ammo. A huge amount of knowledge on this forum, and all you have to do, is ask for it. Thanks Mike

Lots of folks love to answer these and it's fun for everyone and helps you. However, if you want the MOST possible information, also get crafty with the search engine. Just on this forum alone, you will find many dozens of discussions on exactly this subject, many excellent thoughts from folks that aren't even posting anymore.

Don't miss that.

My friend and I on the Bullseye line allow the wadcutters to protrude slightly, on the theory that the natural lubricity of the lead will aid in smooth feeding. It has not caused any problems for me.
Not sure how obvious it is in the photo. OAL here is 1.165. As the brass stretches, it will become more flush.

Attached Images

IMG_2690.jpg (29.6 KB, 29 views)

...make great hollow base wadcutter bullets,

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Mike, with getting a model 52 on my list for years I began buying the ammo for some time. Shot it up as I went along and then cleaned and stored the brass in a proper manner. A couple times a was able to buy a case of the ammo. Anyway, I finally was able to get my hot little hands on this little gem. Shown with a box of ammo from one of the cases which I still have. Have loaded some of the later vintage cases (Winchester. white box) and have experienced NO problems. Stocks are Ivory, Just because I had them.



Best,
J.R.

On a side note, I also load the WC in a 32 version, but sadly The 32 WC doesnt seem to be available as a compoent any more.

.32 Wadcutter component bullet is certainly available... both Speer and Hornady offer them.

The Hornady is a 90gr HBWC that has a cross-hatch pattern along the sides of the slug with a mica-like white powder lube on them, product #10028, I paid $33.95 for a 400 count box of them from my LGS last year. Hornady packages them in the very familiar bright red box.

The Speer is a 98gr HBWC that looks exactly like a down-sized classic .38 HBWC, they have the typical tumble lube on them, Speer product #4600, I had to order those and have them shipped. These were shipped in a nondescript bulk-like packaging.

They are both fantastic in the Walther GSP-C!

Well THANKS!! I had wanted to update my little stash and local dealer said he couldn't get them any more. Hornady is what I have. Since I wasn't complety out I just didnt look further. I sure will now.

Agree with the above,. I've shot the same load for over 30years.