Load for Mod 15-3

[S&Wdave]

I have been shooting my Combat Masterpiece with 148 gr DEWC and 3.5 grs of Bullseye. I see a lot of shooters say 2.7 grs is better. I thought the 3.5 would be better with the solid base bullet. Have a lot of BE to shoot up. Any input. Thanks

[H Richard]

I'd recommend you load up enough to test in your gun. 2.7 gr B'eye was always "the" most accurate load for target shooting. It is on the very mild side. 3.5 gr will get the velocity up to a better terminal energy level, but if you want a hotter load there are much better bullets than a HBWC. You can load the HBWC too hot and the skirt can separate from the bullet and has been known to stick in the barrel causing a barrel bulge if a 2nd shot is made or possibly even worse. As you go up in velocity you need cast bullets. If you are shooting strictly for accuracy, try the 2.7 gr.

[Steve in Vermont]

Dave, with 148 gr DEWC and BE I found 3.0 gr to work well. When loading HBWC 2.7 gr was the most accurate. I switched to W 231 and, with the DWEC, 3.2 gr, while the HBWC likes 2.9 gr. If I was in competition and had one choice it would be the HBWC and 2.7 gr BE.

[Titegroups]

I shoot bullseye, I use 3.1g of Titegroup with a DEWC, I also use 2.7g of bulleye. No one can tell you whats going to be the most accurate in your particular gun, you need to test it yourself but those are the 2 most common powders used at my club. We shoot outdoors matches 25 and 50yds.

[S&Wdave]

Thanks for the replys. This Mod 15-3 is new to me and I used the same load I used years ago in a K-38 Masterpiece I had, which was 3.5 grs BE and 148gr HBWC. I didn't know if the 2.7 was to light for the DEWC.

[S&Wdave]

Loaded up some DEWC with 2.7 grs of BE. Shot much better groups and dropped out of cylinder with no help. The 3.5 loads were sticking. Thanks again.