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  #1  
Old 03-30-2012, 04:14 PM
S&Wdave S&Wdave is offline
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Default 38 special 148 gr BBWC

Just got some 148 gr BBWCs from Crown Bullet down here in Florida. I have always used 158 gr SWCs and wanted a light target load for my Mod 15. Most use the HBWC and they take a lighter powder charge I beleive. Any help.
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  #2  
Old 03-30-2012, 06:03 PM
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Hi Dave,

2.7 to 3 grains of Bullseye is a target shooters standard.
HP-38 and 231 are good powders too at 2.8 to 3.
Good luck
Mike

Last edited by mstuhr; 03-30-2012 at 06:04 PM. Reason: forgot where I was
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Old 03-30-2012, 07:55 PM
Steve in Vermont Steve in Vermont is offline
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I've loaded a lot of 148 gr DEWC with 3.0 gr BE or 3.2 gr W231 with good results, very accurate and low recoil (the BE seemed to be slightly more accurate but wasn't as clean so I've stayed with 231. I'm assuming there's no difference between DE and BBWC as far as powder loads.
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Old 03-30-2012, 08:27 PM
jepp2 jepp2 is offline
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Quote:
I'm assuming there's no difference between DE and BBWC as far as powder loads.
Provided they are seated with the same projection beyond the case mouth, they will both occupy the same case volume and the pressure will be the same.
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Old 03-31-2012, 03:31 AM
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One of my favorite .38 Special loads is a 148gr DEWC over 3.2gr W231/HP-38. That load is accurate in every .38 Special revolver I've shot it from... I have used 3.4gr with some brands of wadcutters and it's also worked very well. You will get better results with a HBWC with the lighter charge weight. If you're looking for a very light round you can go as light as 3.0gr but I think it's not as accurate as the 3.2gr load but you can try for yourself since every revolver is different...
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Old 03-31-2012, 08:44 AM
Steve in Vermont Steve in Vermont is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
One of my favorite .38 Special loads is a 148gr DEWC over 3.2gr W231/HP-38. That load is accurate in every .38 Special revolver I've shot it from... I have used 3.4gr with some brands of wadcutters and it's also worked very well. You will get better results with a HBWC with the lighter charge weight. If you're looking for a very light round you can go as light as 3.0gr but I think it's not as accurate as the 3.2gr load but you can try for yourself since every revolver is different...
I've also had good luck with Hornadys (swaged) 148 gr HBWC with 3.0 gr W231. I believe that's as high with that bullet as I want to go. I think you're right with 3.2 to 3.4 gr (cast) DEWC as they can be pushed harder.
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Old 03-31-2012, 11:44 PM
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Those are great bullets and you will get a lot of good loads. You didn't say what powder you're using and they are a lot of great loads out there. I think the all time standard is 2.7 of Bullseye.
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Old 04-01-2012, 12:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve in Vermont View Post
I've also had good luck with Hornadys (swaged) 148 gr HBWC with 3.0 gr W231. I believe that's as high with that bullet as I want to go. I think you're right with 3.2 to 3.4 gr (cast) DEWC as they can be pushed harder.
The OP is asking about BBWC bullets which are double ended, not hollow based. I would go with between 3.2gr & 3.4gr W231.
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Old 04-01-2012, 01:27 PM
Wayne Dobbs Wayne Dobbs is offline
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And if you want to have a very useful load, use those DEWCs as your full power field loads too. I load mine with either 4.0 231/HP38 or 3.5 Bullseye. They shoot very accurately and to the sights on the fixed sight guns and knock the snot out of small game.
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Old 04-01-2012, 06:51 PM
S&Wdave S&Wdave is offline
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Thanks all. I wanted a bullet that could be pushed a little more than the HBWC thus going with the BBWC. I worry about blowing the skirt off and leading. These seem to be a good choice for what I want to do but have never loaded them. From what your saying treat them the same as a DEWC. Thanks
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Old 04-02-2012, 02:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&Wdave View Post
Thanks all. I wanted a bullet that could be pushed a little more than the HBWC thus going with the BBWC. I worry about blowing the skirt off and leading. These seem to be a good choice for what I want to do but have never loaded them. From what your saying treat them the same as a DEWC. Thanks
When I'm looking for a slightly hotter wadcutter load I use a charge of 3.5gr W231/HP-38. I rarely go higher because that load shoots well as does the 3.2gr and 3.4gr loads.
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  #12  
Old 04-02-2012, 01:51 PM
S&Wdave S&Wdave is offline
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I see a lot of guys use W-231. Must be some merit in using it. I have not loaded for the 38 special for years and I used only Bullseye back then. I want to load just light to mid range for my Mod 15.
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  #13  
Old 04-02-2012, 11:30 PM
parabarbarian parabarbarian is offline
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I recently started using Bullseye again and I found that 3.1 gr under a DEWC is still an excellent target load. It doesn't beat up my wife's hands either

Wayne Dobbs above is right about wadcutters and small game.
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  #14  
Old 04-03-2012, 03:01 AM
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Are these BBWC cast or swaged ?
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  #15  
Old 04-03-2012, 04:33 PM
Steve in Vermont Steve in Vermont is offline
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In the FWIW department, I loaded a box of Hornady 140 gr FP with 3.6 gr of W-231 and took it to the range today. As accurate as any cartridge I've loaded and it's towards the low end recommended in the Hornady manual.
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  #16  
Old 04-07-2012, 07:26 PM
S&Wdave S&Wdave is offline
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The BBWC are cast and sized at .358
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  #17  
Old 04-07-2012, 08:06 PM
RussellD RussellD is offline
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I agree with many of the others. I use 3.1 grains of 231 with mastercast DEBB wadcutters. Nice load that works well in a number of j frames and model 10's.
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