LWC for .38

[mnh2obuff]

I'm just new in reloading and have been using a mild 2.3 Clays with a Speer HBLWC 148 g for my .357s. Is there a different recipe if I use a DELWC of the same weight or would the formula be the same? I've look in my manuals and on the internet and can't find a answer

[Dragon88]

Same recipe for DEWC. The HBWC is generally considered to be a little more accurate, though they should not be loaded very hot as it can blow the bullet apart through the hollow base and cause a bad day.

[Dale53]

Actually, my experience is that solid base wadcutters do better with a bit more powder than HBWC's.

I use 2.7-3.0 grs of Bullseye with HBWC's (let your targets tell you how much powder - but DO obey the caveat not to try to drive them too fast as they WILL come apart and have a tendency to leave the skirt in the barrel - the next shot bulges the barrel).

Since I cast my own bullets I use a lot of dbl ended wadcutters (H&G #251). I load them so the edge of the case mouth is taper crimped on the rear of the first band. I load them "sprue up" to give me perfect bases. My powder charge runs from 3.2 Bullseye to as much as 3.5 grs of Bullseye. I let the gun and target groups determine exact powder charge. If you are loading for a Model 52 S&W auto, then you must seat them flush and 3.2 grs works well for them.

My Ransom Rest experiments have shown me that a light to medium taper crimp shoots best.

Dale53

[Tell Sackett]

Dale has it right here. There have been folks that have gotten DEWC stuck in a barrel with a load for HBWC. Most of the data out there on the web now is for DEWC but check to be sure. If there are any questions, call the powder manufacturer or drop them an email. They are usually only too happy to help.

[kshock]

I too use Clays for HBWC (I load 2.4 grains). When I loaded up 500 DEWC using the same load, they all shot fine, but my groups looked more like shotgun patterns. I've been told that the DEWC's need to be loaded to higher velocities to get them to group and I'm not sure Clays powder has enough leeway to compensate. Hodgdon shows the max load for 148 lead to be 2.5 grains and I don't know that that is going to be enough to solve the problem. Clay's is a fast powder so pressure goes up dramatically with even 1/10 grain increments. I personally have decided to switch to HP38 as it gives me more flexibility for these types of issues and I have recently started loading 38 Super also, for which I am reluctant to play with those rapid pressure elvations that comes with Clays powder.

[TSQUARED]

I have use 2.7 to 2.8 gr. Bulseye with either the 148 gr. LHBWC or LDEWC. Both loads were very accurate in a wide variety of revolvers and the S&W 52 pistol.