Just purchased a S&W model 52-2. The previous owner used it as one of his bullseye comp guns in the day. The gun's most accurate load was 2.7gr of bullseye behind Speer's 148gr HBWC. Looking for reload data with Unique, WST and Viht N320 since I have these on hand. Any other powder recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks to member Boatbum for his WST recipes I've been using 2.7g WST under a 148g HBWC gives me 700fps out of my Model 52-2. I have to seat the bullet just a hair below the case rim and use a medium crimp for trouble free performance.

Stay away from Unique, but N320 should work great around 2.5 to 3.0 gr. My experience with WST was it needed a hotter load to perform well, and that isn't the best in a 52-2. If you can find bullseye get some, also Win 231/HP38 will work as well just about .1 gr more than bullseye.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

BOY DO YOU HAVE IT RIGHT. 2.7 WST IS THE WAY TO GO. I LIKE THE ZERO BULLETS MUCH BETTER THAN THE SPEER. BUT THAT'S JUST ME. REMINGTON 148 HBWC ARE A BIT MORE ACCURATE, BUT ARE A PAIN TO LOAD WITH THE MESSY LUBE . JP

As was kindly stated above 2.7 WST is a good load . 3.1 W231/HP-38 is another . Best luck I've had with N-320 was 2.8 - 2.9 . Search my posts for a thread on 38 special HBWC loads for more suggestions . Many powders will work , but best in your gun will only be determined by careful testing . Also as PPCSHOOTER stated the Remington 148 HBWC is king , but has a black powdered sticky lube . The Zero 148 HBWC is also good . The Speer & Hornady HBWC are good but expensive .

Took awhile to ascertain proper care and feeding for this machine.
3.6 231/HP38, 148 DEWC plated Berry's cycles with no failures.
Shoots more accurately than the operator.
52 is an eloquent item.
Anyone that owns one is fortunate.
The fact that SW quit manufacture validates the phrase "the good die young".

Just purchased one pound of Bullseye and HP-38. Thank you everyone for your input. Until I get some HBWC bullets, I was thinking about buying a few boxes of federal match ammo in 148 HBWC.

3.1 GR HP38 IS A GREAT LOAD ALSO. JUST NOT A CLEAN AS THE WST. JP

I've found 2.5 grs. Bullseye and a 148 gr. H&G #50 wadcutter sized to .358" work best in my gun. Get crimp and overall length just right and feeding/functioning are perfect.

This powder is fast burning. Recoil impulse is “instant”. We are not talking detonation; rather snappy. Smoke with alox lubed bullets is very noticeable. Old Speer manual would go as low as 2.5 grns., but check your spring. If using WST: has quite the odor. I notice a hanging flash in the chamber during ejection. Not harmful; rather gets attention. I think WST in a small drop may lay odd in the case and ignite poorly.

I also have a “new” model 52-1 that I am developing loads for. So far 3.1 gr
of HP38 seems pretty good with either Hornady 148 or Delta Precision 148
HBWC’s. Willyboy

Well since this thread is a Zombie thread(2016) why not bring back an even older thread?(2009)

Model 52 loads

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Still Running Against the Wind

Perhaps someone might benefit from the information. Some of this stuff doesn't change much if at all and remains useful.

No doubt, that is why the M52 load thread is up top as a "notable" thread, aka sticky if you will.

Notable Thread Index

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Still Running Against the Wind

I use 3.2gr W231 under a 148gr HBWC bullet. Very accurate me but I never shot them in a M52.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Wow. I've been loading for a 52 lately. Bought one from a range pal . 0% difficulties loading for it . No problems at all. The zombie thread from 09' would lead you to believe that is was impossible to load for the thing, but nope. Not me. Hope I don't jinx myself.
The oddest thing is the lower case bulge. If you look at the chamber it does not support the lower end of the case leading to the bulge. I noticed it first on some "once shot" brass I was using. Big bulge , bad , didn't like that . Went to using new brass and that is cut to a minimum, but its still present after 3 or 4 reloads. I'll keep on cycling these cases till the bulge becomes extreme . Curious to see how far I get.
I'm using Star Line brass or PPU , mostly star line.
2.9 gr of BE and a grab bag of 148gr HBWC, but I've shot a few hundred DEWC as well. All work fine , Speer and Hornady seem to be the most precise, but I've been having good results with Delta Precision as well.
The 52 is pretty near amazing . Mine groups in straight lines as my hold is a bit of a see/saw, but it stays in the black for the most part but then, when you least expect it , wham you'll have a flyer. Its a very sensitive gun. The least mistake and your wondering what happened to your score.Lots of fun in the process.