LOADING 148GR WADCUTTERS

[StrawHat]

What kind of penetration are you getting? When I tried that, I could not get decent penetration.

Kevin

Altho penetration is not extreme, it is good enough for personal defense, ie: bullet most likely will not be thru and thru wound.

The reason I asked is I did the backward hbwc gimmick many years ago. I shot four rabbits, broadside. No exit wounds. Not something I would depend on in a serious social encounter.

I do load wadcutters for target and hunting. Two different loads. The target load is a 38 caliber dewc over 2.7 grains of Bullseye. The hunting load is a 45 caliber dewc over a hardball dose of powder, usually Bullseye.

Kevin

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thinking about loading some 148gr wadcutters (.38 special) for my various S&W and Colt revolvers. Have never used any wadcutters at all. Do I seat even with the top of case or slightly above top? Shoulf I crimp the case a little or??????
Will probably use Berrys or Extreme plated wadcutters.
What say the experts. Thanks.

This is what I do and the loads I like:

A 148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231 with only enough crimp to straighten out the flare.

A 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231 lightly crimped into the top crimp groove which is probably 1/16" or so from the top of the bullet.

A 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231 loaded normally into the supplied crimp groove.

I have been loading those rounds for many years and they are accurate and clean for me. The 158gr SWC load is a good varmint load because the sharp shoulder does most of the work. It's a good hunting round for small varmints.

 

[BC38]

The S&W M52 is the main reason wadcutters need to be seated flush. I normally don't seat wadcutters flush and there is no need to seat flush for my revolvers (I had a thought many years ago that a wadcutter seated flush with a crimp on/around the shoulder would cause a distorted cut edge when fired. Noticed some crimp remained in fired brass so cutting scraping bullet on exit from case? Never proved my idea right or wrong but continue seating to various depths with none flush)...

Good info. I have a 52-2 I haven't shot yet and need to load some WCs for it. I was going to ask about loading them for the 52, but you answered my question before I could ask it!

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Hollow base gets seated flush, bevel base and double ended will typically have a crimp groove. The plated bullets from Barry's and others are slick with no crimp grooves. Just copy OAL from a good manual.
I have read several sources say to use a taper crimp on HBWC's, rather than the roll crimp that most revolver die sets provide. I am not completely clear as to why. Maybe because a light crimp is easier to get with the taper.

Maybe it's a gimmick but lately I am flaring my cases with custom plugs designed specifically for WC's. Once I have a chance to shoot more I will start a thread to share my observations on these tools.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

.....
I have read several sources say to use a taper crimp on HBWC's, rather than the roll crimp that most revolver die sets provide. I am not completely clear as to why. Maybe because a light crimp is easier to get with the taper.
.....

I actually got a .38 taper crimp die specifically for both HBWC bullets and if by chance I use a plated bullet that has no crimp groove. Getting that die made my reloading much easier and makes better WC ammo IMO. BTW, it's a Lee die which didn't cost much but works well when I do need if.

Lee Taper Crimp Die 38 Special 357 Mag

 

[pete950]

Here is a picture of a factory Rem. 148 and two reloads
that can give you an idea of OAL for this style bullet.

Most 158 lead bullets have a crimp area except for a LRN design
that I have.

A very light crimp is all that is needed, for target loads and good feeding, if used in the pistol.

I have tested the LHBwc with a OAL from 1.16" , all the way out to 1.265" over the years
but finally just use the short, factory OAL.

Ed
What brand of wadcutter is that in the middle.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Ed
What brand of wadcutter is that in the middle.

Pete950;
That my friend is the last of my supply of the great and very accurate........
Star 148 gr. Double Cavity lead bullet that are all loaded and
down to my last 150 rounds.

It was a good run, and at my age, I will be lucky to load and fire all the lead bullets
that I still have on hand.

I would like to shoot more coated but that cuts into getting rid of all my old lead bullets.

Decisions, decisions. Bummer, man.