148 gr .38 spl Load for my 642

[sonofthebeach]

I went to the range yesterday to try out my new 642, and ran some 148 button-nose wadcutters over 3.0 gr Bullseye. I haven't shot lead bullets in some time, and I never had problems with my paper targets tearing, or possible key-holeing of wc bullets when shot from a 4" or longer barrel.

I could really use some help with my next batch of reloads for this short-barreled revolver...the bullets are shooting high at 10 yards, and not really accurate. Am using Magnus bullets sized to .357". Do I need to jack up the amount of Bullseye to increase velocity, or tone it down? Any help would be really appreciated.

 

[RON in PA]

.358 is better. If you are using solid based bullets and Bullseye I'd up the load some.

 

[Spotteddog]

Absolutely!

What Ron said regarding sizing, type and velocity.
Count my vote in his check mark column.

 

[SAA]

Try the same bullet with 2.8 Bullseye.
It's been the standard target load for many years.

 

[acl864]

My 642 loves a 148 gr. DEWC and 3.5 gr. Bullseye for practice. I've run a fair amount of the same bullet at 3.0 gr. too. The wife likes them because the recoil is lighter. I haven't noticed an accuracy problem with either load.

 

[sonofthebeach]

Thanks for your replies. I questioned someone at Magnus, and he said that the .357 diameter should work fine. (I thought that all commercial cast bullets, as well as the ones I used to cast myself, were sized .001 greater than the nominal diameter, although jacketed ones were sized spot-on).

So the first thing I'll do is play with the charge weights...loading 50 rounds with 2.8 grains, and 50 with 3.5 grains Bullseye. If the rounds still don't group, I'll give the Magnus rep another call.

Not too long ago I loaded some Rainier 148 DEWC plated bullets in front of 3.8 gr of 231, and the results were consistently good. (When I loaded the same bullets on top of 3.0 gr of Bullseye, the bullets lodged in the bore of the 4" revolver...I guess it had something to do with extra resistance in the bore created by the plating versus the softer unplated cast bullets). Upping the charge on those to 3.5 gr of Bullseye solved that problem, but the 3.8 gr of 231 was still a better load for the 686 that I was shooting at the time.

Well, thanks again for your input here, and I'll post the results of whatever combinations I put together. Unfortunately, I'm having shoulder surgery today, so I probably won't get to the range for a while.

 

[Alpha426]

I bought some DEWC Missouri bullets that were also sized at .357 and could not find any powder charge to make them group. Tried them in several revolvers with similar results. Chalk it up as a learning experience and never buy from them again. I'll use up my supply as close range blasting reloads.

 

[acl864]

I forgot to mention the DEWC's I use are .358" diameter. I got them from Tennessee Valley Bullets and they are excellent bullets.

Good luck with your shoulder surgery.

 

[Beans]

I am getting ready for a Turkey shoot this Sunday.

I have been shooting/practicing using 2.8 Grains of Bullseye behind a 148 gr HBWC. sized .358.

At 42 yards (the range they shoot at) You shoot 3 rounds offhand (You can use two hands if you want), iron sights, SA or DA, at a 25 yard bullseye NRA target. Highest score wins that round and a turkey.

Off a rest i have been keeping them in less then a 3 inch circle (CTC). I am/will be shooting a model 28 with a 6 inch barrel.

I guess after all that I am recommending the 2.8 Grains of Bullseye and the 148 HBWC as a target load

 

[Spotteddog]

Agreed, the hollow base with 2.7-2.9 of Bullseye is the gold standard. Not having that hollow base to seal it up is what requires the extra bit of propellant, especially if the DEWC isn't .358".

 

[Steve C]

If you are shooting the Magnus 502 bullet which ls a bevel base WC that looks exactly like Lyman's #35891 you can go up to 4.4grs of Bullseye. If you are using the 501 double ended WC 3.8grs is the maximum for the similar Lyman bullet acording to their data.

Solid base WC are just like any other solid base bullet and can be loaded up to higher pressures and velocities than a HBWC. If you are not getting stabilization at 3.0grs which is probably running no more than 500-550 fps from a 2" barrel then I doubt if you will get it from anything less.

Magnus bullets say their product is hard cast so the only chance of getting a good seal in the bore is to up the pressure enough to get the base to obturate. I'd up the load to 3.5grs and work up from there to the maximum for the appropriate bullet.

 

[acl864]

Magnus bullets say their product is hard cast so the only chance of getting a good seal in the bore is to up the pressure enough to get the base to obturate. I'd up the load to 3.5grs and work up from there to the maximum for the appropriate bullet.

A hardcast bullet (usually around 18 bhn) and slightly undersized at .357" sounds like a recipe for inaccuracy and potentially leading in the barrel. As Steve C said getting the bullet to obturate (correct technical term meaning expand to seal) is the key to all cast bullet handloads. It's going to be difficult shooting a hard and undersized projectile at 38 special pressures. You might want to look for softer bullets- around 11 bhn work good for me- sized to .358".

 

[sonofthebeach]

That's exactly the problem I'm experiencing...poor accuracy and excessive leading in bore and cylinder face. Magnus says their cast bullets run 16-18 bnh. I always thought that softer cast alloys resulted in leading, but never really thought about hard cast undersized (.357) failing to seal the bore at lower pressures, and having hot gases blowing by the walls of the bullet and smearing the bore...It's taken me 45 years of reloading, and all of your help on these forums to learn this.

I'll try upping the charge of bullseye with these Magnus 502 bullets, and when these are gone, I'll go with a cast bullet sized to .358", a different base configuration, or a slightly softer alloy.

Thanks again. BTW, got back from the hospital today, and the shoulder surgery went well...I'm gonna ask the orthopedic surgeon if I can use shooting as an effective physical therapy!

 

[acl864]

Glad the surgery went well and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

When you look to purchase some more wadcutters here is a link to Tennessee Valley Bullets. The 148 gr. DEWC at .358" diameter get it done for me.
Tennessee Valley Bullets

 

[sonofthebeach]

Thanks again to all for your input, and acl864 thanks for the Tennessee Valley link.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite .38 Special WC load is a 148gr DEWC over 3.5gr W231. If I use a HBWC I drop the charge to 3.2gr W231 and seat the bullet flush.