.38 cal 148 gr HBWC , hardness and size

[Schram]

Make sure you fire some fouling shots if you scrub the bore good. I've noticed the gross hornady waxy lube takes a few rounds to accumulate evenly. Once the bore is coated it seems to shoot a little better.
Sounds like you are making excellent progress! After you go through this process once and get it ironed out, the next time will be much easier. The NOE expander is also super handy once you choose a projectile...much better than the m die in my experience.

 

[Al W.]

Went back to the range and set up the Ransom rest and shot a series with my M15.
This one really loves the Zero
But seems to like the Precision Delta as well , but just not as much.[/ATTACH]
A couple of things were interesting about these Delta results . The fact that the "too soft, ultra leading " bunch that started out this saga shot as well as the best shooting Zero's and that the "correct hardness" P. Delta shot worse but well is pretty odd, but understandable due to the barrel diameter mismatch with the PD. Clearly the S&W pistols I own prefer the Zero due to the fact that they are the largest diameter of the projectiles I have on hand, at around .359.5 and the Soft PD's do well because the softness allows them to conform to the barrel diameter upon ignition. The ransom rest is fun. Finally here's a target with 20 rounds from my M52-2 just cause its OK and its off hand in the traditional Bullseye stance , one handed baby!
These results are insisting that I order more Zero !

 

[Al W.]

I like the Zero Swaged HBWC. Never had any leading problems with 2.8-3gr Bullseye. It's as accurate as anything I've ever tried and priced fairly. I think the last time I ordered it was less than $70 per k with free shipping.

The Ransom rest says Zero wins the race in both of my S&W revolvers.

 

[Drm50]

I've had got luck with HBWs. I've always bought swaged but have gotten a mold recently. Have done anything with them yet. They are deforming in
Lube/ sizer with top punch on nose. I'm going to turn a top punch to fit
the HB and run them through sizer upside down. I may have to cast them
a little harder. I like to cast as soft as I can get away with in the. LV target loads.

 

[Al W.]

I've had got luck with HBWs. I've always bought swaged but have gotten a mold recently. Have done anything with them yet. They are deforming in
Lube/ sizer with top punch on nose. I'm going to turn a top punch to fit
the HB and run them through sizer upside down. I may have to cast them
a little harder. I like to cast as soft as I can get away with in the. LV target loads.

I have the same problem with the softer WC the seating die deforms the top , puts an extra ridge line in it. Doesn't seem to effect performance though.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

One handed shot from your hind legs is pretty good there.A couple holes show a little black ragged edge;maybe 1/10th of a grain more will solve it.
But again,one handed....wow!

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Yup 50yd line tells the difference . Many times a load that groups well @ 25yds opens up when you get to 50 .

You are darn right;my swaged do better at 50 than my cast.But since I find that the 50yds line is too far to go post my target(read that old age),I now shoot mostly at 25,the cast suits me fine.

 

[Al W.]

One handed shot from your hind legs is pretty good there.A couple holes show a little black ragged edge;maybe 1/10th of a grain more will solve it.
But again,one handed....wow!

Thanks, but that's the 52 so its to be expected.
If you concentrate that gun will get results. My revolvers are much more forgiving .