My first venture into loading the 38 special wadcutter

[Fishjager]

Okay I have loaded almost every thing for the last fifty years. But this is a first for me. The 38 special wadcutter. I have a S&W 52 in jail waiting for background to clear. So I figured I would load some ammo to shoot as soon as I get it. OAL is 1.148 148gr HBWC with 2.7 grains of Bullseye. So I put a very slight roll crimp on it. You really can't see it in the picture. So visually does it look okay to you guys? Do I need more crimp? I used a powder funnel for my Dillon dies from UniqueTek.com. It has a longer stem and goes into the case further than the Dillon funnel. I also used the seater from UniqueTek for the seating. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[rockquarry]

My 52-2 would accept an OAL of 1.16" with the H&G #50, so that's what I used, but that may be meaningless. As for a powder charge, experiment. I know everyone has recommended 2.7 Bullseye for decades, but I got noticeably better accuracy with 2.5 grs., MV = app. 750 fps. I preferred a taper crimp but a roll crimp should work fine if it's minimal.

I never tried other powders because I had Bullseye and it worked well. If I had it to do over again, I'd also try Titegroup and Winchester WST. Good luck-

 

[Jmp50]

I crimp just enough to remove the flare. Experiment and see what shoots best. As the other poster stated, WST/Titegroup are good alternatives.
I also use an expander mandrel to open up the case before seating .
Zero / Precision Delta swaged bullets shoot ragged holes in my Davis PPC

 

[Fishjager]

I ordered a powder funnel expander for the 38special wadcutter for my Dillon set up. I ordered it through UniqueTek for the 148 HBWC. I was then reading about the funnels at Photoescapeinc.com. That a guy named Alex sells. It turns out that UniqueTek sells Alex's funnels on their site, and it is the same one. Just a FYI. I also bought a Redding crimp die that makes beautiful crimps on the 38 special wad cutter. Now I will get to shoot them tomorrow as my gun will be released from jail. Can't wait.

 

[Fishjager]

Well I picked up my new to me 52 and headed to the range. This is the first time I have shot the 52. I shot it at 20 yards 6 inch bull targets.
I pulled one or two due to not being used to the gun. But I am happy to say my loads seemed to work fine. Now if I can just the shooter to work fine?

 

[rockquarry]

Well I picked up my new to me 52 and headed to the range. This is the first time I have shot the 52. I shot it at 20 yards 6 inch bull targets.
I pulled one or two due to not being used to the gun. But I am happy to say my loads seemed to work fine. Now if I can just the shooter to work fine?

I prefer 1911s, but the 52-2 I used to have was probably the most accurate handgun I've owned and I've owned a few. I sized H&G #50 wadcutters to .3575" and used 2.5 grs. Bullseye. Made me think I was a more skilled shooter than I really was.

 

[rwsmith]

I think that's a nice looking wadcutter round. I crimp them almost like 9mm. Just enough to remove the flare. The bullet isn't going in or out any farther than it sits.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I shoot them out of revolvers, but I do put a very modest roll crimp on them. They chamber into a revolver a lot better that way. Probably that is not an issue for you.