LOADS FOR THE MODEL 52

[win1873]

I will be picking up a very nice Model 52 next week and was wondering if anyone would care to share their pet load for this gun as I will be trying out several loads to see what works best.

[socal s&w]

Hello!

I have used with success 3.0gr of Bullseye in a WW case, WSP and Hornady 148gr LHBWC.

Tried the 'universal' 2.7gr of Bullseye, not enough poop. Incremented to 2.8, then 2.9. Didn't always function 100%, maybe 95%.

3.0gr seems to be the ticket for my two Model 52-2's.

Also, buy, borrow, steal a few factory rounds so that you can perfect the slight crimp that seems to be required to function better. I'm sure that you will get a few that state no crimp is required, just take out the belling. That didn't work for me either.

As you already know, these are very accurate firearms.

[BE Mike]

If I were you, I'd start out with 2.7 grains of Alliant Bullseye under a 148 gr. swaged lead hollow base wadcutter. If necessary work the powder charge up a tenth of a grain at a time. My 52-1 functions all day long with 2.8 grains of Alliant Bullseye. If you go too high with your charge, you will risk having the bullet separate (blown skirt). That is not a good thing. Make sure that you seat your bullet flush or even below flush a hair. I use a taper crimp exclusively and don't have any function issues. The taper crimp die was introduced for semi-autos.

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by socal s&w

Hello!

I have used with success 3.0gr of Bullseye in a WW case, WSP and Hornady 148gr LHBWC.

Tried the 'universal' 2.7gr of Bullseye, not enough poop. Incremented to 2.8, then 2.9. Didn't always function 100%, maybe 95%.

3.0gr seems to be the ticket for my two Model 52-2's.

Also, buy, borrow, steal a few factory rounds so that you can perfect the slight crimp that seems to be required to function better. I'm sure that you will get a few that state no crimp is required, just take out the belling. That didn't work for me either.

As you already know, these are very accurate firearms.

The very light roll crimp was said to aid in the feeding of the cartridge - that was the thought many years ago and the way I load mine.

[PattonTime]

I have had very good results with a Berry plated 148 HBWC and 3.5 grains of American Select. A very clean load.
I don't think their a "fragile " gun and the plated bullet is so nice to shoot !!!
It does take a bit of powder compared with pure lead.
Like Bulleseye, I believe it took 3.2 before I got reliable function with plated.
The bullets are available direct from Berrys or from Cabelas

[mistergizmo]

A "cleaner", but equivalent load to 3.0 gr BullsEye would be 3.3 gr W231. I've tried WST (Winchester Super Target) at 2.8 gr, but keep going back to W231.

Interestingly, when you weigh equal volumes of BE and W231, the W231 weighs 10% more. So, if your volumetric powder measure is set for BE, W231 can be substituted without readjusting the powder measure.

[TSQUARED]

I have always used 2.8 gr. Bullseye, Rem 1.5 primer and Remington 148 gr. LHBWC in my Model 52-1. Bullet seated flush with a very light roll crimp. I have never used the bushing wrench as hand tightening of the barrel bushing has provded the required accuracy.

I have tried to use both the Rainier DEWC and Berry's HBWC and have not been able to duplicate the accuracy level of the Remington 148 gr. LHBWC.

[boatbum101]

52's are designed to function with factory 148 HBWC mid range ammo . Bore on these usually run .355 - .356 . To get the best accuracy stick with a soft swaged 148 HBWC i.e. Remington , Precision Delta , or Zero . Keep velocity between 700 to no more than 800fps . Powders that work well 2.7 - 2.8 BE , 3.1 - 3.2 W231 , 2.7 WST , 2.9 AA#2 , 2.6 - 2.7 VVN310 , 2.8-2.9 VVN320 , 3.6 VVN340 . Seat bullets flush with case mouth & light roll or taper crimp . I taper crimp to .369 @ case mouth . Hope this helps . Pics of my 52-2 & targets shot @ 50yds offhand with the above W231 & VVN320 loads .
Andy