148 gr Wadcutter Load Data

[Jingles]

After a 20-year hiatus I'm breaking out my reloading equipment again. My go-to load for .38 special 148 gr wadcutters used to be 2.8 grains of Bullseye, but that was back when Bullseye was made by Hercules instead of Alliant. Did the powder actually change? Is the load data the same?

Do any of you have a favorite target load for the wadcutter you are willing to share. Shooting will be mostly out of Model 14, 19, 15, and a couple Colt Troopers.

Thanks!

 

[68sixspeed]

I run the same 2.8gr on the 148 wad cutters using the current powder, no problems, shoots nice and soft and accurate.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

That load is still a top performer.Good luck trying to find Bullseye!It's been almost 4 years since I saw 1 pound for sale!
Qc

 

[Dobie406]

Hard to beat the standard Bullseye load, but just experimenting I tried Accurate No. 2 and really like it using same 2.7 charge. Not that Bullseye is bad, but No. 2 meters like water and a bit cleaner.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Over a yr ago I contacted Alliant to find out the truth about " changing burn rates " as has been on the internet and sometimes written by gun mag writers .
The gentleman in the powder division told me that if they changed the burn rate from it's original spec's they would have to change the name . That they could no longer label it " Bullseye , 2400 , Unique etc " anymore . Hope this helps . Yes , Bullseye is hard to find although I do see it at a gun shows here in the DFW area sometimes .

 

[Nevada Ed]

Not too many post using CFE pistol powder but I find that it
works in my 38 target loads as well as my light 9mm loads.

Here is a picture of a 148gr HBwc that I tested with CFE.
It was as good as Bullseye but took a little more powder.

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

2.7 GR BULLSEYE IS FINE WITH THE 148GR HBWC. THE 148GR DEWC NEED MORE 2.9 TO 3.0GR BULLSEYE. JP

 

[scha]

When powder was really scarce and I couldn't find Bullseye my local Gun Shop recommended I try 700X. This worked just fine with 38 Special target loads. I used 2.9 grains of 700X with a 148 wad cutter lead bullet.

 

[les.b]

Jingles:

I still have the greater part of an 8 pound keg of 1970s Hercules Bullseye and also have recently made (brand new) bullseye. I had the same question as you, and have done several side by side comparisons with .38 special loads (not wadcutter). I can see no difference. I think that you would be fine to use your old loads with new or old powder. As usual, though, you would be prudent to work up to a load as if you were starting from scratch.

I also use BE for other calibers, most notably the .32 S&W Long. 2 grs of BE gives you 3,500 loads out of a pound of powder. Another reason that I want to use up that old stuff!!

I know that it is well over a hundred years old, but bullseye is still a great bargain, and a very superior powder for uses such as you are contemplating.

One caveat: stock up. I fear another shortage may be in the cards very soon. Same goes for primers and other components. Doesn't really have anything to do with politics, but with what folks perceive that may happen. We have seen several great shortages occur obverse the last 8 years or so... Buy now.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Clovishound]

Alliant currently lists 3.1 grains as max for Bullseye under a 148 grain Speer HBWC. If my math is correct, 2.8 would be the 10% under max used for a start load.

 

[les.b]

Just another thought... There is something cool about using a powder that was in common use at the time your gun was made, to build a load for a revolver that was made back in say, the 1920s. Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I enjoy those sorts of things...especially when they work so well.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Jeff423]

A lot of Bullseye shooters are using WST instead of Bullseye.

 

[Amp]

Got to look but I think Unique worked for me.
Wow its been a while since I loaded full wads.

 

[rwsmith]

Bulleye still works......

It works if you've got it and it's still the same. Because of the shortages I've branched out into other powders, like Red Dot and Accurate line, Hodgdon Titegroup and HP-38. The old reliables still work, but the new powders have some improvements in flash, clean burning, etc.

Alliant BE-86 is supposed to be good, but I've only seen one pound of it in my life.

Vihtavuori powders are supposed to be great, if you can afford them.

 

[les.b]

It works if you've got it and it's still the same. Because of the shortages I've branched out into other powders, like Red Dot and Accurate line, Hodgdon Titegroup and HP-38. The old reliables still work, but the new powders have some improvements in flash, clean burning, etc.

Alliant BE-86 is supposed to be good, but I've only seen one pound of it in my life.

Vihtavuori powders are supposed to be great, if you can afford them.

That's strange, because I am just the opposite: I recently bought the only pound of Bullseye I have seen in the last year, and I see the BE-86 frequently. I just had never read up on it, and didn't really know what it was, so I didn't give it any more thought. Saw some at Cabela's last week, when I was looking for Bullseye, then saw some at a store on SW PA, and at a local gun show a guy had lots of the BE-86, but only one pound of the Bullseye, which is the one that I bought. But I have been gradually putting away a little here and a little there, just in case we have another shortage next month, so I think I'm OK on most things...primers, powder, I scrounge and stockpile brass, even lead. I don't cast bullets much, but if they get hard to find, I don't want to depend on buying.

Best Regards, Les

 

[rwsmith]

^^^^^ Alliant powders.....

...Now, during the shortages, Alliant powders were very scarce around here and all I could find was a couple of pounds Red Dot and 2400. (And thank goodness for that) for at least two years. When Unique and Bullseye became available you can bet I bought more than a couple of pounds.

 

[rwsmith]

Overloading HBWCs....

It's real waste loading HBWCs past the point of their best accuracy for target shooting. I feel that I get the best accuracy 'lobbing' bullets to the target.

Let's not discuss other reasons for oading hot wadcutters here. It's been beat to death on other forums.

 

[Wise_A]

Agreed. I'm just not happy unless I can see the bullet heading downrange!

I use 2.8 of Bullseye for 158s, and it was satisfactory in 148 DEWCs. I currently use WST for the 148s, no particular scientific reason, I just like it a little better.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Canister powder doesn't change much over the years but for slight lot to lot variations. Since that charge weight is at or near the starting weight for that combination you won't even need to rework the load.

If you're looking for other options, I use W231/HP-38 in most if my .38 Special ammo. I charge 3.2gr W231 under a 148gr HBWC and 3.4gr W231 under a 148gr DEWC. I think they are boatloads and very accurate too.