"Idle hands are the Devil's playground"

So I was bored the other day and decided to order DEWCs for .38 Spl (yawn ), .44 Spl/Mag (hmmm ), and .45 ACP (wait, what?!? ).

But wait, there's more - they're from Matt's Bullets, and not your everyday WCs:

• .38 are 75grains
• .44 are 150 grains
• .45 are 165 grains

I went with the lightest weight bullets in each bore size due to reduced price, seeking super-light recoil, and just to be weird .

I've been loading 148 grain HBWCs (lead) and DEWCs (lead and plated) in .38 Spl for a long time. I became addicted to clean-cut round holes in targets, and them sometimes going slow enough (600 +/- fps) that with the sun behind me, I could watch them all the way to the target. Fun.

Recently acquiring a S&W 629, and a 625 a year or so ago, I thought why not load some DEWC "fatties" for those. I loaded 30 rounds for each in three graduated charge weights of IMR Target. I'll be testing them through a chrono off sandbags later this week and report my findings.

[sorry for sideways pic]

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And in .38, you might be able to load two bullets in one case!

__________________
Old paratrooper in NC

I've gone to using 105 grain SWC's, as well as 95 grain 380 bullets in 38/357. I cast mine and I'm trying to be stingy with lead.
That Lee 105 grain swc mold is a must-have.

Sweet.................

I will be hoping that those short length bullets will fly straight in your guns.

I have had good accuray with the 125 LRN "Cowboy" in my J frame snub nose at 600fps.

Tight groups.

Looks like a lot of fun indeed. I also like the clean cut big round holes





I’ve never reloaded WC sofar, only commercial stuff



I even have an old Swiss pistol that only shoots .38 SPL WC

Use data for 158 SWC and make COAL for 158 SWC!

You need to place any type of card (cork, milk carton, water/mild jug) between the two bullets or they stick to each and basically go in the same hole. Two rounds with the card typically make a 4 hole group of 4 or 5" at 15 yards. Adjust velocity with FPS.

Ivan

I shoot nothing but WCs in my S&Ws. I wasn’t happy with the light WCs in 44. I got a new gang mold for HBWCs 237gr but haven’t shot any yet. The Lyman Button Noce 242gr is good shooter in my 25s. I don’t like the DEWC even though I have molds for them.

Everything was going along so nice until you posted the picture of that last gun.
I now have druel and slobber all over my self............

Very nice.

I like the Thunderheads from Penn Bullets.

YES! I read that (don't see any problem as they about equal a 148g WC)...I may try it for fun, but probably only a few loads. And yes, I'll report on that also,

That pistol is intriguing - tell us more.

You know, I really, really wanted to get bullets from Bob. Placed an order last March, spoke with him on the phone - never came through. He got sick, and died recently (probably already known here). I liked his website, bullet knowledge and numerous options.

Thank you Ivan - knowledge only available from experience!

I'd like hear more of these, and pics if possible.

I am not talented enough to cast my own, but like the thought of what you folks who do, do.

I made a post about it last year when I got it

SIG Hämmerli P240

When to the range yesterday, here are the results:

Light-for-Bore DEWC & IMR Target tests in .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 ACP
Matt’s Cast Lead .359 75g, .430 150g, .452 165g

Chronograph @ 8 ft, target @ 40ft, 60º F, 250 alt, 10 rounds each load, velocity is mean average of those

.38 Special Colt Diamondback 4” Matt’s Cast Lead .359 75g

Charge 2.0, 2.5 , 3.0

Velocity 659 , 803 , 900


.44 Special Smith & Wesson 629-5 6” Matt’s Cast Lead .430 150g [.44 Mag cases]

Charge 4.0, 4.5, 5.0

Velocity 734, 801, 871

.45 ACP Smith & Wesson 625-8 4” Matt’s Cast Lead .452 165g

Charge 3.5, 3.75 , 4.0

Velocity 746, 793, 826



I didn't calculate standard deviation, but my extreme spreads were mostly in the 30-40 fps range.


1st photo shows the best 5-shot group (.45ACP w/4.0g) - yes I know it ain't nothin' to brag about, just the best I could do bracing on a sandbag with open sights and old eyes at 40 ft.

The 2nd photo shows what appears to me under 10x to be unburned powder, micro flakes of lead, and burnt residue. Was more pronounced in the lightest loads. I don't recall ever seeing this to anywhere near this extent before with other powders even in light loads.

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Good shootin’! What’s the OAL length for the .45 ACP? Are they loaded flush?

Those little 38 cal bullets also make perfect toppers for a load of bird/snake shot. Just punch some wads from a coffee can lid or a cereal box to cover the powder charge. Scoop in some 8,9,10, 11 or 12 shot then seat the little pill over the top and crimp as usual. Very effective shot loads with a little extra oooph just in case it is needed.

__________________
"Tastes just like chicken"

On my last trip out to the indoor range, I noticed for the 1st time
that my 30" x 48" paper target , had very small holes all over it from the burnt powder at 8 - 10 feet ?

I forget if 38 or 9mm but it was an eye opener.

When I bought my first snubnose .38 (2")I found horrible accuracy with my std 148 WC load. Then I bought a 3" Chief's Special and everything was fine.

Nevertheless, I still was aggravated about the lousy 2". I asked a trusted gun guy friend and he suggested the Lee 105's. I saw no improvement and later gave the mold away.

Just by luck I discovered that a 158 Gr. SWC with a slower powder did the trick.

I saw those from Matt's Bullets a while back and wanted to give them a try for this very reason. I have some of the old Remington Multi-ball factory ammo in .357. They are fun to play with every once in a while.