Rainier 38/357 Plated 148gr DEWC - Anyone tried them

[Pocketfisherman]

Does anyone have any experience with the Ranier plated DEWC in 38/357? Mainly interested to see if they are as accurate as a lead DEWC. I've used Raniers for my 45 practice match loads and am happy with their performance, but would like to hear some firsthand experience before ordering some of these.

 

[Vartarg]

Interest

Can't help you on the Rainers, but last night I loaded up 200 of Berry's plated 148gr HBWCs: 100 w/W231 and 100 w/Bullseye. I plan to get to the range in the next couple of days. I've also got some LDEWC rounds to shoot.....

I'll be interested in responses, and report on my results.....

 

[Bruce51]

DEWC

I've tried the Berrys dewc in a model 14. Instructions state that these bullets should be loaded to 800fps. I tried 3.1-3.3-3.5 grains of Bullseye on the first test. 3.5 was too much and groups opened up. 3.1 was almost enough to make a good group as was 3.3. Loaded some more at 3.2 and that seems to be the best all around.
I seat these flush with the case mouth with a slight roll crimp.
Be sure to sort your cases by length or trim if you roll crimp to avoid having bulged cases.

Bruce

 

[parabarbarian]

I havn't used the Rainers bullets but I have used Berrys 148 gr DEWC. They are as accurate as any wadcutter I've tried but you do have to keep the velocity up. I generally load them with about 1/8" or a little less sticking out of the case and a taper crimp.

 

[pete950]

I like 3.5 of Bullsey but just started playing with 4.1 of Accurate #2

 

[Erich]

A few years back (before The Great Thread Disappearance here), I did a bunch of combat wadcutter loadings. While I wound up going with Tennessee Valley Bullets' hardcast DEWC (which just gave a ton more velocity than anything else), I tried the Rainier and the Berry's DEWC. From my guns (a 1 7/8" Model 38, a 3" 36-1, a 4" 15, and a 6" 14), comparing the same loadings, Rainier bullets were more accurate than Berry's . . . and gave better velocities to boot.

I've purchased Rainier DEWCs again and sometimes use them when I want to run a swaged wadcutter. I've not purchased Berry's again.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to order some and give them a try. My plan is to load some 38spl target loads in 357 cases with VVN320 or W231.