38 Special Full Wadcutter results

[38SPL HV]

Chronographed this morning ten rounds of 38 Spl 148 gr DEWC with 3.2 grs Bullseye:

Firearm: S&W Model 642 (1 7/8 inch)
Bullet: 148 gr cast DEWC
Cases: Starline 38 Spl brass
Primer: Fed 100
Powder: 3.2 grs Bullseye
Avg velocity: 712 FPS
Comments: Good full wadcutter practice load, and accurate in the S&W 642 snub.


...I also like 3.5 grs Bullseye and use that most often, but the 3.2 grs load bucks a little less but still potent out of a snub. Velocity of the 3.2 grs load approximates the velocity of standard factory 158 gr RNL/SWC rounds.

 

[walnutred]

Out of curiosity are you loading flush or at the crimp groove? Reason I ask is that I typically load 3.0gn of BE at the crimp groove. Never chronographed the load but I'm guessing about 650 fps.

 

[Targets Guy]

The guy I buy from at my range uses Titegroup. My Model 10's really like the load.

when does the bank of america open

 

[38SPL HV]

Out of curiosity are you loading flush or at the crimp groove? Reason I ask is that I typically load 3.0gn of BE at the crimp groove. Never chronographed the load but I'm guessing about 650 fps.

I crimp lightly in the crimp groove, sprue mark up.

 

[Huskerguy]

I just started working on loads on the same bullet. Mine is a SAECO mold and powder coated. I crimped at the crimp groove, small roll crimp. I used 3.2 grains of Titegroup and 3.6 grains of CFE. First ones out of gate the nod goes to TG for accuracy.

I probably need to up the CFE and cut the TG just a bit the next time and I probably will see abut crimping flush with the main part of the bullet.

 

[typetwelve]

148g full WC over 3.1g of Tight Group is my go to, seat to the last crimp groove. Super accurate and great shooting.

 

[AJ]

I use 2.8 grains of Bullseye for a 148 grain wadcutter in my .38 Specials. The reason is I have a two Colt .38 Special M1911's. Since I load that for those, I also use it in my .38 revolvers.

 

[4barrel]

I am using 2.5 Bullseye in my 1911 NM Colt 38 special and 3.2--3.7 American Select in my revolvers with the dewc. The 3.7 clocked 920 fps.

 

[mikld]

FWIW; one of my "house guns" gets a 150 gr DEWC over a max (not +P) load of 231 which should give me 800+ fps. I too use a light roll crimp (barely visible) and have been using mixed brass with CCI SP primers. I have fired it out of my 2" and 3" 38 Specials and I get good accuracy out to about 10-12 yards, but haven't tried them at a longer distance. I figger my "house loads" would be pretty effective without any danger to a neighbor...

I have also used this bullet, Lyman button nose, with minimal loads of Bullseye and W231 for "target" ammo in my 3" 38 and 4" 357. Better accuracy than I can shoot...

 

[Nevada Ed]

In my M49 snub nose with a 148 HBwc and my best starting load of Bullseye does 605fps with a federal primer up to 693fps.
With a cci primer, my Acc. loads with Bullseye are at 628 with a full load at 757fps and 188 ME with a recoil of 3.82 ft/lbs.
This load from a 16 oz. weapon increases to recoil of 4.97 ft/lbs.

My maximum load with Red Dot hits 775fps with 197 ME and Recoil at 3.99........
Getting back on target for follow up shots takes practice.

The weight of the revolver and bullet weight/fps is what makes or breaks a load, per the shooters ability to operate the weapon, with the type of loads used.

Have fun.

 

[Cleandean]

I used .357 mag. brass once to load 50 rounds of DEWC... solid base wadcutters . ( not plated)
WW 231 ... 3.7gr.. 3.8 gr. & 3.9gr. We're the loadings.

I shot them out of the most accurate revolver owned by yours truly.
Mod 19-3 Cloverleaf type groups were common & plentyfull.

 

[rockquarry]

All this talk of .38 wadcutter loadings prompted me to load up a few. I've had an H&G #50 plain base four-cavity mould for decades. According to my notes, best accuracy has been with 2.5 Bullseye for 725 fps (6" barrel?) and an overall length of 1.27". The 2.5 load is also best in my Model 52 S&W, but I have to seat the bullets much deeper to use in that gun, 1.16" OAL.