Favotite .38spl 148 DEWC loads?

[C.S.63]

I received my order of TVB bullets and am going to be working up some loads with 231 for the 148 DEWC.

seems to be a lot of varying info all circling in the same area. The Hodgon site lists 3.5 to 4.0 for 231 w/ LHBWC,
Going to loadata also shows a variance.
And my old speer manual shows 4.1-4.7 of 231 for .148 BBWC

So long story short anyone wish to share some first hand loads or info for the .148 DEWC using 231? I also have on hand- Unique, Trailboss, and Power pistol for powders

Thank You
carl

 

[acl864]

3.7 gr. of W231 under a TVB 148 gr DEWC averaged 731 fps out of a M19 w/ 2 1/2" barrel. It also performed well out of a M642 but I don't have any chrono data.

Unique is a good choice at max loads using this same bullet.

 

[C.S.63]

acl864
I am just prepping some brass now and plan on trying to weigh some powder later tonight?

Thank you
carl

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I returned to reloading last winter and have loaded several thousand of these 148 DEWC. I've experimented with powder and ended up using 3.2/3.3 gr of W231. Very accurate with low recoil in a J Frame. On the subject of W231 powder I have also found 3.0 gr of that powder with Hornadys 148 gr HBWC works very well. Virtually no leading, accurate and, again, low recoil.

 

[Erich]

5.1 grains of Unique (max for standard pressure .38s acc. to the Lee's guide I have) and a firm roll crimp on those TVB DEWCs give me great velocities (over 900 fps from a snub), minimal deviations and nice accuracy in a variety of guns. I load a lot of that round.

That said, double-check all load data you get from the web with a reputable manual, start low and work up, what is safe in my guns might not be safe in yours, YMMV, void where prohibited, etc., etc.

 

[C.S.63]

with all of the info available I try to be very judicious with powder weights
that and not having reloaded DEWC's before

Thanks again all

keep info coming


Carl

 

[Dale53]

Carl;
Ransom rest tests have proven to me (and my satisfaction) that dbl ended wadcutters require a bit more powder than HBWC's. I have a great H&G six cavity mould for their #251 dbl ended w/c. Instead of the classic load for HBWC's of 2.7 Bullseye, I use 3.2-3.5 grs of Bullseye. They shoot extremely well to fifty yards.

Ed Harris on the Cast Bullet ***'n Forum has a nice thread on this. He is a former development engineer with Ruger and former Tech Editor with the American Rifleman. He has also found that even the HBWC benefits from a few tenths more powder than originally recommended.

Dale53

 

[Nick B]

Tag for later .

 

[Black_Talon]

Cast Bullet ***'n Forum

Sir,

Would it be possible to PM or email me the uncensored name of that forum? I'd sure appreciate it!

 

[Ceapea]

For light target loads (for me, PPC), I found that 2.8gr, 3.0gr and 3.2gr of Unique behind a 148gr Dardas DEWC are all excellent!
That's for the powder that you mentioned.

That said, the load that I use the most is 2.3gr of Bullseye to do the same thing with the same bullet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite .38 Special Wadcutter load is made with a 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231 and LIGHTLY crimped in the crimp groove.

 

[Dale53]

Black Talon;
That's the "Cast Bullet Association Forum".

Dale53