keppelj
Member
Anyone tried loading plated wadcutters for the 52? If so, how'd they work accuracy-wise?
Model 52 and Plated WCs?
- Thread starter keppelj
- Start date
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I had some with the copper wash to them not like the current plated. Didn't make any difference that I could see. The gun still shot better than one can hold it.
bdgotoh
Member
I use Rainier's plated 148gr DEWC and they work great in my model 52.
bdgotoh
Member
I found that the TMJ can vary a bit in diameter so I bought the Lee sizer kit for .357 and run them all through before I load. I load them in a progressive press using brass with matching headstamps. The primers are Winchester WSP.
I started testing at 2.8 gr of Bullseye and the accuracy was good but it wouldn't reliably work the slide so I went up by little steps and ended up at 3.7 gr of Bullseye. I tried hotter and the groups opened up quickly. The 3.7 gr load is better than I am out to 40 ft, I haven't tried farther yet.
I started testing at 2.8 gr of Bullseye and the accuracy was good but it wouldn't reliably work the slide so I went up by little steps and ended up at 3.7 gr of Bullseye. I tried hotter and the groups opened up quickly. The 3.7 gr load is better than I am out to 40 ft, I haven't tried farther yet.
Spotteddog
Member
Keppel,
It's most likely due to the plated or total's not sealing to the bore as much as the soft lead exposed wad cutters do. The group opening up is a reflection of driving them faster than needed. It's also an indication of a superb shooter (BDG) being good enough, to be able to have it matter!
It's most likely due to the plated or total's not sealing to the bore as much as the soft lead exposed wad cutters do. The group opening up is a reflection of driving them faster than needed. It's also an indication of a superb shooter (BDG) being good enough, to be able to have it matter!
TSQUARED
Member
I hjave never been ablke to get the plated wadcutters to get anywhere near the accuracy of the Remington 148gr. LHBWC. Any hints would be appreciated. I also had to increase the powder charge significantly in order to obtain reliable functioning.
bdgotoh, I tried 3.8 of 231 tonight at the range at 50 feet using a M14 off bags and the groups are good, better than I've been getting at lower grain loads. I'll try the Bullseye recipe Saturday with a ransom rest. I'd like to find a load that was good to 75 feet. I didn't size the WCs, but I did measure them and found a thou at the most variance on a single slug. Mine all measure .357, .3575 and .358 on a single slug if you explore. Is that significant enough for the size die use? Next thing is a model 52.
I've shot some of the hollow base plated bullets and found the diameter variances noted above, I think the hollow base may expand enough to negate this, but I only shoot them at indoor matches, the 9mm bullets shoot like crap in my pc semi autos, not worth shooting past the 7yd stage
bdgotoh
Member
That seems close enough to me, I'd hold off on the sizer. You can always get one later if you decide it's needed.
Thanks, bdgotoh, I'll keep the sizer in mind though. Loading another batch last night I do notice a variation in pressure it takes to seat the Rainiers. They're all the same stamp (Win Match), all sized and the belling removes the inside case edge prep as an issue. Maybe repeated (re)charging of some cases when the first powder weight isn't right opens up those cases more, hence reducing resistance.
