I have purchased yet to be delivered a Lee kit and some Speer HBWC. I have from SG loading Alliant Red Dot G Dot B Dot and have Unique on the way. Also have Hornady HPWC ordered. Should I be concerned about the manufacture of which 148g HBWC I use or are they close enough to use say a hornady when the book calls for a Speer or vice versa. This is 38 Special.
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carpriver
US Veteran
I am going to on out on a limb here and say 148 grain bullet is a 148 grain bullet but that being said you are using a hollow point wad cutter. I would start with the low end of either the powder or bullet manufacture and check a couple other reloading data sources. When working up load data start low and work up in 1% increases to the point you want. Beware of the internet load data. check and double check.
MichiganScott
Member
My only disagreement with carpriver is that I'd work up faster. 1% on a 3.2 gr. charge is .032 gr.; a figure not measurable on normal reloading scales and certainly insignificant.
Reduce the top charge by 10%, and with charges as small as you will be using, increase by 0.1 gr. Remember that the reason for using HBWC is accuracy and not speed. The skirts may blow off at higher pressures and certainly will lead at higher velocities.
Reduce the top charge by 10%, and with charges as small as you will be using, increase by 0.1 gr. Remember that the reason for using HBWC is accuracy and not speed. The skirts may blow off at higher pressures and certainly will lead at higher velocities.
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Titegroups
Member
148g hbwc are used mostly by competitive target shoters and have to be shot pretty slow 750fps or so.
You did not say the length of the barrel or model of weapon...
the 148wc with RedDot can be from 3.5 to 3.8 for starters.
My 686 6" with 4.0grs gets 890 fps.......... a +P velosity.
You can use the Unique and BlueDot later with some 158 Lwc bullets for some +p loads if your gun can shoot them.
Stay safe.
the 148wc with RedDot can be from 3.5 to 3.8 for starters.
My 686 6" with 4.0grs gets 890 fps.......... a +P velosity.
You can use the Unique and BlueDot later with some 158 Lwc bullets for some +p loads if your gun can shoot them.
Stay safe.
tbury
Member
Lead bullets from Speer and hornady are swaged not cast so they tend to be softer than most cast alloys. Therefore, do not try pushing them to the high end of any load. If you want to load faster velocities there are many online sources of cast bullets either from sources like MidwayUSA or direct from cast bullet suppliers.
The Hornady and Speer lead bullets are swaged from soft lead so you need to use their data for them.If you try to push them more than maybe 800fps the barrel will lead.When you start using cast lead bullets,get a Lyman manual,good data and good info.
I have a 686 with a 4" barrell and a Charter Arms undercover that is probably 40 yrs old that belonged to my father in law who passed away before I met my wife.
I am searching for a snubby for her preferably one that can handle +P. When I start loading I'll want something she can hold on to (arthritis). She likes the trigger on the stock 686 but says the Charter is tougher. I like the R Dot load that Nevada showed. BTW anyone use Promo in place of R Dot? It is used in in the shotgun realm quite a lot grain for grain.
I think I'll try the HBWC loads and let her try those in the CA.
I am searching for a snubby for her preferably one that can handle +P. When I start loading I'll want something she can hold on to (arthritis). She likes the trigger on the stock 686 but says the Charter is tougher. I like the R Dot load that Nevada showed. BTW anyone use Promo in place of R Dot? It is used in in the shotgun realm quite a lot grain for grain.
I think I'll try the HBWC loads and let her try those in the CA.
Hmmm.. it appears to be time for the Ed Harris wadcutter article again.
Ed Harris: Revisiting The Full Charge Wadcutter | Reloading, Ammunition, Hunting | GrantCunningham.com
Ed Harris: Revisiting The Full Charge Wadcutter | Reloading, Ammunition, Hunting | GrantCunningham.com
The J frames don't work well with +P ammo with the ladys,usually. A K frame or heavy S&W mod 14,15 or the likes with 32oz or more is a LOT BETTER than a little 15oz J frame ,when shooting +p ammo for LESS recoil and bisters or brused hands.
Yes,Promo will also work like RedDot and the price is right.
Another powder puff powder for the 158 Lwc if you ever buy them is,Trail Boss.
Good shooting.
You might try 3.3grs of RedDot for a stout 38 spl load...........in my Mod.49 snub nose it gets 775fps with 197ft/lbs of energy and 3.99ft/lbs of Recoil.
4 lbs of recoils in a light weight snub nose is getting "warm"............. 5.5 lbs is a "FBI".
Have no fear with "marshmellow" 148 target loads from 550 to 800 fps..........
Yes,Promo will also work like RedDot and the price is right.
Another powder puff powder for the 158 Lwc if you ever buy them is,Trail Boss.
Good shooting.
You might try 3.3grs of RedDot for a stout 38 spl load...........in my Mod.49 snub nose it gets 775fps with 197ft/lbs of energy and 3.99ft/lbs of Recoil.
4 lbs of recoils in a light weight snub nose is getting "warm"............. 5.5 lbs is a "FBI".
Have no fear with "marshmellow" 148 target loads from 550 to 800 fps..........
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For HBWC target loads
Since my 148 gr HBWC loads are very light target velocity and never anything else, I consider the major brands of HBWCs to be equal using a starting load of 2.8 gr of Bullseye. This is what Bullseye is specifically designed for. Neat thing about HBWCs is that the pressure expands the bullet skirt to fit the barrel so they are forgiving. I treat other major brands of soft lead bullets at low velocity similarly. When you use cast bullets, heavier and/or jacketed loads there is enough difference in bullet designs that any change of bullet, even of the same weight, warrants that a specific manufacturer's or cast bullet data should be used.
Since my 148 gr HBWC loads are very light target velocity and never anything else, I consider the major brands of HBWCs to be equal using a starting load of 2.8 gr of Bullseye. This is what Bullseye is specifically designed for. Neat thing about HBWCs is that the pressure expands the bullet skirt to fit the barrel so they are forgiving. I treat other major brands of soft lead bullets at low velocity similarly. When you use cast bullets, heavier and/or jacketed loads there is enough difference in bullet designs that any change of bullet, even of the same weight, warrants that a specific manufacturer's or cast bullet data should be used.
