.38 wadcutter load

[BC38]

I managed to squib a 124gr Berry's 9mm a few years ago and it tapped out easier than I had feared. Interesting to note that the plating was intact despite being engraved by the rifling with no lead showing.

Yeah, the "pealing plating" issues has always seemed a bit overblown to me.

Sure the plating is thin enough to be damaged - thinner than most jacketed bullets. BUT it is also deposited on and bonded to the lead core at a molecular-level through electro-plating.

Unlike most jacketed bullets where the lead core is swagged - basically pressed - into the jacket/shell without any other real bonding of any kind.

Load and shoot them hot enough and it is certainly theoretically possible to separate the plating and the core, but keep them below around 1200fps, per the bullet manufacturer's instructions and there should be no issue.

 

[rwsmith]

I used to do a lot of varying loads and comparing rounds....

Now that I have passed into the "Twilight zone" with my age, eye sight and muscle tone

Testing loads, bullets and powders for accuracy are a thing of the past,
unless I am at a table with a sand bag, that will slow down the guns movement.

Now I am just glad to get out and pop some primers and enjoy shooting
no matter where the bullets end up.

For accuray I still have my rifles and shotguns.

Enjoy the time that you have, while able to shoot well,
and do it often.

...Now I'm happy to make a good showing shooting offhand. I eschew benches and sandbags, but on day my have to eat my words. And I can still use Iron sights with some difficulty.

 

[rwsmith]

Love it~

"We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity..."

Welcome to the Twilight Zone (from our ageing eyes)...

Cheers!

Only problem with sharpening to crystal clarity is that it doesn't stay that way long. Sometimes if I blink, close one eye, move the relief around.......

 

[4barrel]

I managed to squib a 124gr Berry's 9mm a few years ago and it tapped out easier than I had feared. Interesting to note that the plating was intact despite being engraved by the rifling with no lead showing.

I was talking a plated 148 wc which has a lot more surface than a 9mm 124.

 

[4barrel]

A plated 148 stuck in barrel-<my fault-no powder.>Any plated brand can do this.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I was talking a plated 148 wc which has a lot more surface than a 9mm 124.

You would be able to tap it out without too much trouble. I don't know why you think it would be welded into the barrel.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

One would hope that there should be a relatively wide (?) fps range between the "bunny fart" load that potentially risks a squib and the TNT Atomic! ones that blow the skirts off...

Cheers!

 

[Nevada Ed]

One would hope that there should be a relatively wide (?) fps range between the "bunny fart" load that potentially risks a squib and the TNT Atomic! ones that blow the skirts off...

Cheers!

I have trouble understanding, what is so HARD
about loading a lead HBwc in the 700 to 800 fps area?

With plated bullets, we all have JHP data, that will prevent squibs.

 

[rockquarry]

I have trouble understanding, what is so HARD
about loading a lead HBwc in the 700 to 800 fps area?

With plated bullets, we all have JHP data, that will prevent squibs.

Regarding plated WC bullets, I've had one experience with them. I don't recall the brand; they were given to me by a gunsmith friend who had already found they shot quite poorly. They did no better for me.

I'd suggest trying some conventionally lubed cast WCs as well and compare the accuracy with the plated WCs. Perhaps I got a poor batch of plated bullets and all the rest are much better.

 

[johngalt]

My most accurate load was a Hornady HBWC + 2.7 gr VV N310. VV powders were hard to get so I standardized on 2.8 gr Bullseye. I also shot a lot using 3.2 gr W231. It was hard to tell the difference, but I think Bullseye has a slight edge over W231.

I've never used WST, but I know people who have. It may have an edge over Bullseye.