Alternate ammo for S&W model 52-2 wadcutter?
- Thread starter erick00
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CBus660R
Member
Not in stock right now, but listed with some alternates that are also out of stock, Doubletap Match Ammo 38 Special 148 Grain Full Wad Cutter
Far as I know that I the only round the gun will chamber, it is certainly the only one you should chamber. The frame was built for a 9mm and the .38 special case with a flush seated bullet just fits. By the way you will have some serious fun finding magazines for that puppy, and they will cost you.
Dennis The B
US Veteran
The wad cutter ammo must be completely flush mounted. About six months ago, I found some commercial reloads that protruded just a bit, maybe 1/32". They absolutely would not feed.
Not to worry, I tell myself. I'll just put them in my RCBS seater die, and seat the WC's a bit deeper. No such luck. I'll run them through my Model 14 or my Colt OMM.
You may want to check locally to you. Sometimes remanufacturers will have them in stock. They're getting rarer however. Most indoor ranges won't allow unjacketed ammo, even wad cutters. I've located some copper-coated WC's, and they seem to work just fine.
For the most part, I buy the 148gr WC's, and load my own. I have a set of dedicated RCBS dies, and I get pretty good quality reloads. It doesn't take much Bullseye to get it 25 yards.
Not to worry, I tell myself. I'll just put them in my RCBS seater die, and seat the WC's a bit deeper. No such luck. I'll run them through my Model 14 or my Colt OMM.
You may want to check locally to you. Sometimes remanufacturers will have them in stock. They're getting rarer however. Most indoor ranges won't allow unjacketed ammo, even wad cutters. I've located some copper-coated WC's, and they seem to work just fine.
For the most part, I buy the 148gr WC's, and load my own. I have a set of dedicated RCBS dies, and I get pretty good quality reloads. It doesn't take much Bullseye to get it 25 yards.
You can only use .38 Special full wadcutters. Hollow base wadcutters perform the best. The cartridges should be low pressure rounds (used to be called mid-range). These should be economical and work well: Roze Distribution: 148 GR WCHB, $ Per 50, RELOAD
TSQUARED
Member
The S&W 52's were designed for mild mid range loads with the 148 gr LHBWC. Most if not all were purchased by bullseye pistol shooters and most of them reloaded. The standard load was 2.7-2.8 gr. Bullseye or 3.2 gr W-231 behind the 148 gr LHBWC. In all the years I shot mine it never had a factory load through it.
civil1977
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As noted, you'll need flush seated wadcutters. These guns were intended to do one thing and they require specific ammo. Most Model 52 shooters also reload. I have been able to get my handloads to work well in mine. I've also picked up new/new old stock factory ammo for reasonable prices at gun shows.
