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.

 

[Mongo Safari]

Your wadcutter cartridge looks fine to me. As already mentioned, I put a little bit more roll crimp for ease of loading in my PPC gun and any 38/357 revolvers.
38 Special HBWC cartridges are great for teaching young shooters. The softer report, minimal recoil helps to conquer fear and scoring is fantastic.

 

[Jaco1234]

Took the new mags to the range with high hopes after they worked at home when hand cycling. Hopes were soon dashed as the first two rounds failed to feed with out assistance. After that the next three in the mag fed. You can feel the slowness of the slide as it cycles. This happened on both mags. The feed lips of the mag seem to need some tweaking. I noticed that the front contour of the Triple K (TK) mag is a few thousands higher that S&W mags also the end of that area is pointed on the TK mags and rounded on the S&W's. An odd thing was if I tried to eject a full mag (TK) from the pistol it would not do so, with out me pulling down hard or prying it out. That said when the mag was empty and the mag release was pushed they dropped clean. So I have sent a notice to Triple K that I intend to return the mags. Awaiting their reply.

I originally bought the Model 52 from Noel Ryan who was then the Australian Rapid fire and centerfire champion in the mid 80's ,now I need a 6 shot mag for service match,so a slight adjustment in extending the magazine slot for six rounds would not be an issue.Nb: when I bought it second hand I only got one mag.

That's why I use brass specifically designed for wadcutter ammo.

Where do you get your wadcutter brass?

 

[Protocall_Design]

One thing to remember when loading for a M52. Always seat the bullets flush with the case mouth, not sticking out any. If the bullet sticks out, it can hang up in some magazines and not feed right.

 

[USSR]

Where do you get your wadcutter brass?

I bought it years ago as once-fired brass when it was readily available. The things to look for are: Winchester and Remington brass have 2 cannelures, one about mid-case and the 2nd one just above it. Federal has just a single cannelure located about .375" down, whereas their regular brass has the single cannelure down about .125".

 

[Fishjager]

Update, I trashed the Unitek powder funnel. It was so tight that it caused unnecessary stress in the reloading process. Also you had to set the die deeper in the machine. I had numerouse problems with it and went back to the Dillon funnel. I am using 38super sizing dies and they seem to work great. I don't like to talk about these problems, but I had contacted the funnel maker about the situation and he told me to use more lube. Well...........................................enough said. I had to put way too much pressure on the up swing of the handle to get the powder funnel out of the casing. Not acceptable.

 

[taz666]

Good to know.

 

[trulyapostolic]

Update, I trashed the Unitek powder funnel. It was so tight that it caused unnecessary stress in the reloading process. Also you had to set the die deeper in the machine. I had numerouse problems with it and went back to the Dillon funnel. I am using 38super sizing dies and they seem to work great. I don't like to talk about these problems, but I had contacted the funnel maker about the situation and he told me to use more lube. Well...........................................enough said. I had to put way too much pressure on the up swing of the handle to get the powder funnel out of the casing. Not acceptable.

What brass are you using? The funnel will hang up in standard brass, wadcutter brass is much better.

 

[Dan W. Cady]

Update, I trashed the Unitek powder funnel. It was so tight that it caused unnecessary stress in the reloading process. Also you had to set the die deeper in the machine. I had numerouse problems with it and went back to the Dillon funnel. I am using 38super sizing dies and they seem to work great. I don't like to talk about these problems, but I had contacted the funnel maker about the situation and he told me to use more lube. Well...........................................enough said. I had to put way too much pressure on the up swing of the handle to get the powder funnel out of the casing. Not acceptable.

The funnel maker must not know the lube goes on the outside!

 

[SS336]

Looks like your reload works fine. Would like to have a M52. Would be hours of enjoyment.
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?

 

[Tazman11]

I'm getting ready to set my Dillon 550. What should I use in the seating die to seat the bullet? I've loaded lots of 38 but never wadcutters set at case mouth.

Also, what bullet are you purchasing. I do have to order some and have no plans on casting my own.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fishjager]

What brass are you using? The funnel will hang up in standard brass, wadcutter brass is much better.

I'm using federal brass. Nickel

 

[Fishjager]

TazmanII there is a plug for 38sp wadcutter that goes on your stem. Dillon dies come with one. I have found that using a 38 super sizing die works best for 38special wadcutter.