Powder Amt. for .38 Wadcutter?

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I'm getting ready to load some .38 DEWC-BB 148 gr. wadcutters using HP-38 powder. The Speer manual calls for 2.9 to 3.2 gr. for a HBWC. I'm assuming this is acceptable for the DEWC as well. I've (Google) searched a number of sites and found recommendations ranging from 2.5 to 3.8, with the most popular being 3.1. 2.5 sounds to low and 3.8 to high. Any thoughts would be appreciated, esp. for the min/max range.
 
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Yes, same data applies for DEWC as HBWC, as long as weight is same or within four or five grains. People shoot these for accuracy and their ability to make nice, clean, sharp-edged (easily scored) holes in paper targets. They generallly don't use this bullet for fast, heavy, hard-hitting self-defense loads.


When in doubt about powder and charge, start at the minimum listed, load 25 rounds and test them. If they work out to your satisfaction, OK. Good. Be happy.

But if you wish to work up, go up in increments of 0.1 grain (that is "One tenth of a grain") and see how they work out. Up to the maximum listed.

You are likely to see your most accurate load somewhere betweeen the two extremes.


Flash
 
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It's not critical. I use 3.1gr.
They will shoot fine at 3.8 but just kick more.
 
I loaded up a bunch of 148 gr. (hard-cast) DEWC's from Rim Rock Bullets, using 4.0 gr. of HP-38. This is at or near the line seperating .38 Special from .38 Special +P. I carry them in my airweight as a self defense load. While they are a bit snappy in my Model 42, they are very accurate.
 
With a 148gr WC bullet the Hodgdon sire recommends a charge of between 3.5gr and 4.0gr. Personally I feel the starting charge weights are too high. I usually load 3.4gr W231/HP-38 but have also loaded 3.2gr in the past with good success. Never had a squib or anything close to one. I went to the slightly heavier charge because it's what my measure does easily. I would suggest starting with 3.2gr and see how accurate that load is in your revolver.
 
The old stadby 38 Special acuracy load was 2.7 gr. Bullseye with the 148 gr. LWC. Some shooters used 3.1 gr. W-231 (HP-38) with equivalent results. I always prefered the faster burning Bullseye load.
 
Years ago I had a then brand new M52 that didn't like the 2.7 gr Bullseye loading. So I modified it way upward to 3.0 gr. It was a fine load for me and that gun. But then I discovered it worked well in my revolvers. So instead of loading one batch for the auto and another for the revolvers, I just made them all the same. I'm not good enough to tell a difference in accuracy. Might not even be a difference. So there I am "wasting" 10% more powder! But then if you buy your Bullseye in 5# jugs, who really cares?
 
FWIW, I usually load 3.1 gr of HP38 for a 148 HBWC for shooting PPC. This is a very mild load commonly refered to as "bunny fart" loads. I tried the 148 BBDE wadcutters (Missouri Bullet Co) with the same load but the accurracy left alot to be desired. I was told by some of the old time PPC shooters that if I wanted to shoot the double ended wadcutters, one needs to pick up the velocity to make them shoot accurate. I would try the 3.4/3.5 grain sand see how they do. If they seem to scatter your group, add a grain until you get what you want.
 
I think the 148 DEWC really starts to come in to its own in performance at a charge of 3.0gr of Bullseye. I mostly load mine at 3.3gr.

My old Lyman manual from the 70's states a max load is 3.5gr. of Bullseye.
 
I'm going to start at 3.0 gr with HP-38 and try it (on the 148 DEWC). I'll work my way up .1 grain at a time but stay within the recommended limits until I get the results I'm looking for. Thanks to all for the good advise, it's much appreciated.
 
Personally, I think 3.0 is too light for that powder and bullet. I would start at 3.2 at the least, and go up by .2 to 3.8 (even 4.0) HP-38 (W-231) at 4.0 is the basic load I use for a 158 gr. LSWC. This load shoots fine in my small J-frames as well as the larger GP-100 and model 28.

Starting loads on the Hodgdon reloading data page for that weight bullet and HP-38 powder: Starting load 3.5 and max load 4.0.

Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com


WG840
 
I'm going to guess they call it a max load because its where leading starts to take place, not because its a pressure problem.


I've pushed the same 148gr dewc bullets (17 BHN) loaded to magnum velocities from 357 cases with no leading.
 
Greg; I agree completly. Bought 8 lbs. in the '50's Then another 3 lbs in the '80's All Bullseye. Don't know how many rounds I've fired with many .38 Special guns but it's been a lot. The 2.7 Gr. load is the best.
 
Another question: The Speer manual calls for 2.9 to 3.2 while the Hodgdon site calls for 3.5 to 4.0. Both using HP-38 powder. Why the discrepancy?
 
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