Bullet Too Long For My M 52-2 Mag

[PeterM]

I have shot Remington 148 HBWCs for years in my S&W Model 52-2 with great success. However, I'm running low on the 148s and can't find them anywhere. With that in mind, I ordered some 148 DEWCs from a well-known, established dealer. He said people had been using them for their Model 52s and he has to make them constantly to keep up with demand. I asked and he told me to crimp them on the groove near the top however, they are too long for the mag. I called him about it and he was dumbfounded.

What I'm wondering is if folks are actually crimping these bullets above the cannelure, just at the top edge, similar to the HBWC. Has anyone had a similar experience?

[44wheelman]

I leave very little bullet sticking out of the case, maybe .03-.05" , then I use a roll crimp, but just enough to get rid of the case lip edge.... Something between a taper and roll crimp.
Works fine. 3.2gr 231 148 dewc makes 1 hole at 15 yards. That's as good as I can see, who knows how good that gun actually is, would require a ransom rest for me.

[forestswin]

Peter
I trim cases to 1.145" and seat wc's flush - with a very slight roll crimp at the top of the bullet.
Pretty much went with the advice given in this "sticky"
Model 52 loads

Hornady 148 HBWC's (swaged) work fine and I've always seem to be able to find them when other brands were out of stock.

[gregintenn]

I haven't seen the particular bullet you speak of, but assuming they are beveled at either end, you might try seating them deep enough so that you can crimp over the bevel. This should be pretty near flush. I prefer hollow base wadcutters.

[rockquarry]

Any bullet must be seated pretty much flush to work properly. Taper crimp.

[jag22]

What others said. Doesn't matter what wadcutter you choose the bullet seats flush with case mouth. If you want to roll the edge over a little fine but it should never be longer than what an empty 38 case is. I just don't think the bullet seller knew exactly what you are shooting.

[Jaymo]

Should you decrease your powder charge when using DEWC as opposed to HBWC?
Does the DEWC cause increased pressures than the HBWC, with equal powder charges?
I have some old Atlanta Arms .38 ammo I want to use in my 52-1 and
it appears to be a copper washed DEWC.

[colt_saa]

AS has already been said, seat Flush for a model 52

Cast DEWCs can be driven to much higher velocities than soft swagged HBWCs

I went to DEWCs for a short while, now I only load HBWCs fro my model 52s

HBWCs will be more accurate in a model 52. Whether you see it or not depends on the individual shooter.

[PeterM]

After seating my DEWC flush like I should have in the first place, I went out and did some range testing and I would agree, the Remington HBWCs have the edge over the DEWCs. That being said, does anyone know where to get some? I'm running low and hence the reason for testing the DEWCs looking for a substitute. I've tested other HBWCs before but they can't touch the Remington for accuracy.

[Jeff423]

I use 148gr. HBWC's from Precision Delta and Roze Distribution. They seem to be identical to the Remington's except for the lube.

Jeff

[boatbum101]

IMHO the Remington HBWC shoot the best . They're messy with graphite based lube & fat . Have to bell case mouth a little more to seat without shaving lead .

[4barrel]

Originally Posted by Jaymo

Should you decrease your powder charge when using DEWC as opposed to HBWC?
Does the DEWC cause increased pressures than the HBWC, with equal powder charges?
I have some old Atlanta Arms .38 ammo I want to use in my 52-1 and
it appears to be a copper washed DEWC.

You need .2-.3 tenths more powder than for the hbwc to make the action work.