.38 wadcutter load

[rockquarry]

For those who shoot .38 Special wadcutter loads regularly, this won't be noteworthy. For years I've used Bullseye, about 2.7 or 2.8 grs. with a 148 gr. WC cast from a Hensley &Gibbs #50 mould. I shoot these in a Model 14 I've had for a long time, but I don't often shoot wadcutter loads. When I had a Model 52, it was capable of excellent accuracy if I backed down to 2.5 grs. Bullseye.

Today I tried many loads using Bullseye and 231. Only one load really stood out from the rest and that was 3.3 grs. 231. I didn't measure 25 yard group sizes, but the 231 load was noticeably more accurate than any of the Bullseye loads.

I have to do more work to confirm the accuracy and try it in other revolvers, but this appears to be a pretty accurate load. Muzzle velocity is 780, about the same velocity as the 2.7 Bullseye load.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have used the two loads pretty much interchangeably depending on which powder I had the most of when I did the loading. I have found the BE load to be a tad more accurate in my snubbies and the 231 in the longer barreled weapons, but that could EASILY be operator error. I have never been a serious bullseye shooter. I often use WC for function checks, etc.

 

[rockquarry]

I have used the two loads pretty much interchangeably depending on which powder I had the most of when I did the loading. I have found the BE load to be a tad more accurate in my snubbies and the 231 in the longer barreled weapons, but that could EASILY be operator error. I have never been a serious bullseye shooter. I often use WC for function checks, etc.

I appreciate the insight. I'm going to try both the 231 and Bullseye loads tomorrow in three revolvers, including a 2" Chief, benchrested at 25 yards. If I have enough ammo, I'll also try both loads at 50 yards using the Model 14.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Now that I have passed into the "Twilight zone" with my age, eye sight and muscle tone

Testing loads, bullets and powders for accuracy are a thing of the past,
unless I am at a table with a sand bag, that will slow down the guns movement.

Now I am just glad to get out and pop some primers and enjoy shooting
no matter where the bullets end up.

For accuray I still have my rifles and shotguns.

Enjoy the time that you have, while able to shoot well,
and do it often.

 

[rockquarry]

Now that I have passed into the "Twilight zone" with my age, eye sight and muscle tone

Testing loads, bullets and powders for accuracy are a thing of the past,
unless I am at a table with a sand bag, that will slow down the guns movement.

Now I am just glad to get out and pop some primers and enjoy shooting
no matter where the bullets end up.

For accuray I still have my rifles and shotguns.

Enjoy the time that you have, while able to shoot well,
and do it often.

I try to shoot at least twice a week, often three times. For some reason, I'm shooting handguns two out of three trips nowadays. I used to shoot rifles far more than I do now.

 

[4barrel]

The H&G 50 is my favorite bnwc mold.

 

[M29since14]

I’ve used the same load, with various wadcutter bullets, over the years and always been pleased with it. I always seem to have way more 231 on hand than I do Bullseye.

In his “Pistol Shooter’s Treasury,” Gil Hebard did some extensive .38 wadcutter handload testing and his results were a bit unexpected. I would have to read it again, but if memory serves, he had as good or better results with some of the slower powders. If you can find his little book somewhere, you might enjoy reading it, if you haven’t already. Lots of good stuff.

I’ve also had very good results with AA2, but since it is usually harder for me to find than either Bullseye or 231 I haven’t got the experience with it that I do those two.

 

[rockquarry]

I’ve used the same load, with various wadcutter bullets, over the years and always been pleased with it. I always seem to have way more 231 on hand than I do Bullseye.

In his “Pistol Shooter’s Treasury,” Gil Hebard did some extensive .38 wadcutter handload testing and his results were a bit unexpected. I would have to read it again, but if memory serves, he had as good or better results with some of the slower powders. If you can find his little book somewhere, you might enjoy reading it, if you haven’t already. Lots of good stuff.

I’ve also had very good results with AA2, but since it is usually harder for me to find than either Bullseye or 231 I haven’t got the experience with it that I do those two.

I've had Gil Hebard's book for years. I don't believe experienced handgun shooters will agree with everything in the book, but it's well worth reading by anyone interested in improving their handgun skills and for a lot of practical information on handloading for handguns, and accuracy in general.

 

[M29since14]

I think Ed Harris also published some really good stuff on .38 wadcutter handloading, a long time ago of course, in “The American Rifleman,” I believe. If you haven’t read it, it might show up on the web somewhere…?

I suppose .38 wadcutter loading probably sounds like pretty mundane stuff to most folks, and it is, until you get right down to the nitty-gritty.

Edit - Another powder I was always pleased with was 452AA, later replaced by Winchester Super Target. I never thought WST was quite as good in pistols as 452AA, but maybe I was just set in my ways?

 

[Nevada Ed]

I think Ed Harris also published some really good stuff on .38 wadcutter handloading, a long time ago of course, in “The American Rifleman,” I believe. If you haven’t read it, it might show up on the web somewhere…?

I suppose .38 wadcutter loading probably sounds like pretty mundane stuff to most folks, and it is, until you get right down to the nitty-gritty.

Edit - Another powder I was always pleased with was 452AA, later replaced by Winchester Super Target. I never thought WST was quite as good in pistols as 452AA, but maybe I was just set in my ways?

It does not really matter what powder works for you or what brand it is
just as long as you were able to have a powder to load and enjoy loading ammo for you to enjoy.

I don't buy into "this is the best" or "You got to have" post, since every state and city is different on what is at hand and also, what the person can spend on supplies.

The real reason to load is to shoot more and if it saves $$ and you find tight groups

more power to you.

At least to my small pea picking brain, thoughts.

 

[Amp]

That 2.7 gr bullseye load is just fun to shoot.
Wish I could score better with it.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Using the LEE 148 gr wadcutter loaded on top of 3.5 grs of Ramshot Zip is a real winner in my S&W 642 . I have tried the Bullseye load and others as well but the Ramshot Zip load is my favorite . Plenty of power and very accurate in my J-frame smith ( 642) . Regards Paul

 

[StrawHat]

The Ed Harris article,

Ed Harris: Revisiting The Full Charge Wadcutter. – www.GrantCunningham.com

When I carried a small bore revolver, this is the load I used.

Now, the SAECO 453 at about 850 fps.

Kevin

 

[STORMINORMAN]

"We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity..."

Welcome to the Twilight Zone (from our ageing eyes)...

Cheers!

 

[rockquarry]

The Ed Harris article,

Ed Harris: Revisiting The Full Charge Wadcutter. – www.GrantCunningham.com

When I carried a small bore revolver, this is the load I used.

Now, the SAECO 453 at about 850 fps.

Kevin

Ed Harris is certainly among the very best of gunwriters. I've read most or all of what he has written since his days forty or more years ago when he was on the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN technical staff (when they had one), his work in the GUN DIGEST publications, and his current occasional pieces in THE FOULING SHOT.

Ed's detailed treatise on the .38 wadcutter is typical of his excellent gunwriting and his handloading and cast bullet knowledge and experience.

 

[StrawHat]

Ed Harris is certainly been among the very best of gunwriters. I've read most or all of what he has written since his days forty or more years ago when he was on the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN technical staff (when they had one), his work in the GUN DIGEST publications, and his current occasional pieces in THE FOULING SHOT.

Ed's detailed treatise on the .38 wadcutter is typical of his excellent gunwriting and his handloading and cast bullet knowledge and experience.

I agree. He also wrote about using the wadcutter load at 200 yards. I skimmed it but need to go back and find/read it.

Kevin

 

[BillBro]

Im using 3.5gr of SMP-154 which is A2, but a pull down powder. Works great

 

[boatbum101]

For accurate 38 HBWC loads I reach for Bullseye , W 231 & WST . If a gun won't shoot with one of those it don't like that bullet .

 

[4barrel]

You can run the H&G 50 bnwc 920 fps without loosing any accuracy. 3.7 of Bullseye or American Select will do under 1 1/2'' at 25 yards with 10 shots. Power Pistol is good also but takes more powder.

 

[Sevens]

You can run the H&G 50 bnwc 920 fps without loosing any accuracy. 3.7 of Bullseye or American Select will do under 1 1/2'' at 25 yards with 10 shots. Power Pistol is good also but takes more powder.

Guessing from your target notes that you have a Royce Weddle PPC revolver, awesome. Have you got a thread on it or anywhere you have pictures and discussion on it?