Has anybody used .38 sp 125 gr HBWC?

[rromeo]

A friend is ordering a load of cast bullets, and asked if I wanted in. While looking at the list, they had the usual 158 gr offerings, but they didn't have the 148 gr DEWCs that I was looking to try. They do have a listing for 125 gr hollow based wadcutters. None of my books have any data on them, and even searching the net shows little results.
Has anybody used them?
The price is very good, so I may just give them a go, no matter.

 

[ancient-one]

The only ones I have used are 148 gr. Never saw a 125 gr. but there are a lot of things I haven't seen. Good luck if you try them.

 

[rromeo]

It was the first I've ever seen of them. Any idea for loading? The hot deal for 148 gr seems to be 2.7 of Bullseye, so I'll start there unless anybody says that's a bad idea.

 

[matsu]

The 148gr HBWC is not a cast bullet it swaged from lead wire usually not stock by cast bullet shops

 

[geoff40]

The 125 grain WC sees more use in Europe I think, than it does here. I am sure I recall seeing references to this bullet in very old information about the 38 Special, casting and loading, by this I mean what shooters were shooting 100 years ago. I know there was also once a 110 grain WC in use. As I recall both are intended only for light target loads.
I can't recall offhand what I saw it in, not much help I guess, but for modern loads the European's would be where to look for current load data. Someone like Swissman might be able to dig some information up for you.

 

[Titegroups]

Put some powder under it and lite it, it's just a chunk of lead. I'd check the diameter first though.

 

[oberon]

You'll figure something out for it, I'm sure.

 

[rromeo]

Update: the bullets seem to be vaporware, he called and asked me to pick something else.

 

[Fkimble]

Lots of small shops have a whole page of bullets listed simply because they have the mold. Usually acquired in a mixed lot of casting equipment they bought for next to nothing. But they probably never poured lead in the mold, or if they did, they discovered a problem.

 

[Cerberus62]

Update: the bullets seem to be vaporware, he called and asked me to pick something else.

Bummer, I would have liked to see your report on these.

 

[Forrest r]

A hbwc bullet can be cast. I have 2 different molds for casting hbwc bullets.

148g 358hbwc for 38/357's
220g 432hbwc for 44spl/44mag

 

[Rockets]

I remember seeing some for sale @ rim rock bullets...

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have shot some 125gr lead FN in my snub nose looking for a light target load.
3.5grs of Bullseye,RedDot and GreenDot will give fair groups.
4.0grs of w231, 3.7grs of TrailBoss and 4.5grs of Universal will give you a little more velosity but still a nice light load,recoil wise.
The cowboy design will also work with these loads.......
Recoil in the M49 was 1.98 ft/lbs vs 5.55ft/lbs for the FBI load.
Good shooting.

 

[Triggernosis]

Shoot over to CastBoolits.com - you'll find some load recomendations there. A 125 gr. flat-round-nose bullet is very popular over there.

 

[Cherokee Slim]

With <3 grains of Bullseye it's a great beer can load.
Cherokee Slim

 

[rwsmith]

Can you tell us

Can you say which outfit is advertising, if not selling, 125 gr HBWCs?

 

[rromeo]

it was Bear Creek Supply. Apparently, he has a ton of molds, but only casts a run of the oddball stuff now and then.
I did get 2,000 of the 158gr SWCs. I really like them. They are moly coated, which seem to smoke a lot less than my other lead bullets.

 

[schuebob]

Used to get them from Germany. Brand was (spelling.) Staedtler and Handemann. 125 HBWC. I developed a BE load for them, but went back to 148 Delta Precision

 

[chief38]

Traditional Wad Cutters in .38 Spl have always been 148 grains. I have not seen lighter ones but it is possible of course. The 148's will shoot more POA=POI than the lighter ones will. Why mess with what works?

 

[Troystat]

Have shot Bear Creek 148 grain wadcutters both bevel base and hollow base, 2.8-2.9 grains of bullseye. both seemed to shoot well. I think the Bear Creek bullets are a decent product.