My first venture into loading the 38 special wadcutter

[Fishjager]

SS336 I don't even think those would fit in the Model 52 magazine. The bullet has to be flush with the case rim. But I am sure that there will be more replies on this. I am fairly new to the Model 52, and it sure has been a learning curve. But I have loaded for over 50 years. The loaded rounds should look like the pictures I posted when I started this thread. Also most people try to load for 700-750fps. Bullseye powder is king. I guess some people are using Titegroup as well.

 

[rockquarry]

I had to seat to an OAL of 1.16" for my 52-2.

 

[USSR]

My .38 spl wadcutter load uses a different style of wad cutter bullet and shoots very well in my revolvers.
Would it work in a M52?

Nope, wadcutters must be seated flush with the case mouth. Since your bullets protrude past the case mouth, they will not fit into a Model 52 magazine.

 

[taz666]

Load them upside down.

 

[lppd4]

Wadcutter brass? I did not know there was a difference

 

[USSR]

Wadcutter brass? I did not know there was a difference

Yep.

 

[Reloader Fred]

Fiocchi even has brass that is headstamped ".38 Special Wadcutter". If I knew how to post pictures, I'd show you some. Remington, Winchester and Federal all made .38 Spl. Wadcutter brass. It used to be very common, but not so much anymore.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[bobcantshoot]

Load them upside down.

I tried doing that. All the blood rushed to my head and got dizzy.

 

[bobcantshoot]

Wadcutter brass? I did not know there was a difference

Wall thickness opens up so you can insert deeper. I've loaded hundreds of lead wadcutters (I like Hornady LHBWC). Never had a problem. I do run intoo a few buckling when I load plated wadcutters though.

 

[John_M52]

I have my father's M52 and don't shoot it much but it is as accurate as a semi-auto can be. A real work of art from Smith. I love the super clean holes that a WC leaves in traditional target paper - like a hole punch. Your loads look like his that I still have boxes of, and he was a major reloader. Couple of Star presses and a Hollywood. He and his friend manufactured an auto indexer for the star for a while.

 

[taz666]

I tried doing that. All the blood rushed to my head and got dizzy.

Guess I should have been more specific eh?

 

[bph9]

Well even old dogs like me can learn something new. I was astonished that they made brass for .38 wadcutters. I have used range brass and bought once fired brass for years and never had a problem loading wadcutters. Of course since I never owned a 52 I did not have to seat wadcutters flush with the end of the case. I simply used the crimp groove on my cast bullet wadcutters.

I once owned a special Lyman bullet mold made for the Smith 52 and was designed to be seated flush with the case mouth. I sold it to a buddy of mine who had a M52 and he never had a problem using any cheap brass he could pick up off the ground. He is so cheap he never would have bought specially made brass designed for wadcutters. I told him when he bought the mold to bring it back if it did not work in his 52 and he said never had a problem with that cast bullet seating it flush.