Wadcutters, hollow base or double end?

[Pigirondan]

I want to try handloading wadcutters for my Model 15. I have some Oregon Trail 148 double end wadcutters. My reloading manual specifies hollow base. Is there a difference?

 

[OKFC05]

OH yes.
The HBWC are like a minnie ball, with a hollow skirt that grips the rifling, and does not like to be heavy loaded: the bullets comes apart. HBWC are suitable for the lightest bullseye loads. Often give top accuracy.

The DEWC is a lead cylinder, and can be driven harder. Loading data for HBWC can be used if you stay away from ultralight loads.

 

[ChuckS1]

Well, my pre-14 will shoot into 1" at 25 yards with Zero 148 gr HBWC and 2.7 gr of Bullseye. On the other hand, I can't duplicate that performance with my Lyman 358495 wadcutter cast from wheelweights.

 

[Pigirondan]

My manual, the Speer #14, doesn't list a 148 grain wadcutter load for Unique, but does so for Red Dot. I have both, but wonder why no Unique ?

 

[tc scout]

I get good accuracy useing Berry's 148 Gr HBWC with Unique.
Light recoil, wife shoots them for target practice.

Hornady lists wadcutter loads useing Unique.
Berry's copper plated bullets are loaded the same as lead.

 

[cptdco]

I used the Hornady 148 grain HB wadcutters for years. Recently I've been shooting various cast double-ended wadcutters mostly because of the cost. I just checked Midway and with my dealer discount, 500 HB bullets is $42, whereas Missouri Bullet Company has their DE wadcutter for $28 per 500. Like ChuckS1 said above, I think I get better performance (meaning accuracy) from the HB bullets, but for me, its pretty close, and if I'm shooting off-hand any difference is probably lost in the other variables (meaning shooter skill). I usually use the same powder charge (2.7 grains of BE) but sometimes I bump it up a little with the cast bullets insofar as there isn't the fear of the bullet base seperating.

 

[Pigirondan]

Besides the wadcutters, I was also given a substantial amount of small pistol magnum primers. Would it be problematic to use them with the wadcutters?

 

[handgunner356]

You might see a pressure increase with the magnum primers, not a problem with light loads. But if you have a good load worked up it'll probably throw it off. Hollowbase wadcutters seem to work best with light charges of fast burning powders. I would save the Unique for the DEWCs' they can be pushed harder, but I've never had them print as accurate as a HBWC. I usually find that I need 2-3 tenths more powder with either the DEWC or the plated HBWCs' to match the same velocities of the HBWCs'. My favorite HBWC load uses 2.5grs of Red Dot for right at 725fps out of my guns.

 

[nicky4968]

I have used these two Unique loads for years, and have never seen any reason to change them. Many on this forum (and others) list heavier charges, but I don't think they're really necessary nor are they an improvement.
158 gr RNL, 4.3 gr Unique.
148 gr DBWC 3.2-3.3 gr. Unique.
What I have listed as 158 gr RNL is actually Lyman #2 Alloy. I don't remember the exact weight.
The 148 gr DBWC is pure lead.
I do not seat the DBWC flush, but have a light crimp in the crimping groove.
Maybe not the all-time best defense loads, but I wouldn't want to be in front of them. They go where you're looking.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

In the old days of PPC we loaded 2.2grs of Bullseye with the Zero 148 HBWC and it would drive tacks at fifty yards.

 

[mstuhr]

Midway has the Remington 148 HBWC

Howdy,
I know a lot of folks dont like the mess but the Remington 148 HBWC has always been the best grouping bullet for me.
I bought another 2,000 for $108.00 at Midway this morning.
I have seen the 2,000 bulk pack advertised for as little as $88.00 but those places don't have them in stock.
I like and have had good luck with the Mangus too, but they cost more to no advantage other than they are not as messy.
Good luck
Mike

 

[michael thornton]

my 14-1 loves hbwc and bullseye!

 

[DFrame]

I love the double end wadcutters and have fired thousands. My present favorite powder for it's use is Trail Boss.

 

[TSQUARED]

I have always shot the Remington 148 gr. LHBWC with 2.7 to 2.8 gr. Bullseye and Rem 1.5 seated flush with a very light roll crimp. This load has been a bullseye shooters favorite in revolvers and the S&W Model 52.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I prefer a DEWC over a HBWC for several reasons. One reason is like said above, the DEWC can be driven a little faster.

I charge 3.2gr W231/HP-38 under a 148gr HBWC
I charge 3.5gr W231/HP-38 under a 148gr DEWC

If you can get it to meter correctly a charge of 2.5gr Clays is also a good load. (but that light a load just won't meter well for me)

 

[ISOM]

WADCUTTERS

Some years ago I needed to load some wadcutters for my Security Guard qualification. Here is what I found:
BB Wadcutters can be pushed faster than HBWC.
I loaded 4.0 grains of Winchester 231. They did not tumble.
HBWC and any faster than 3.0 grains of 231 and they tumbled.

 

[kshock]

I normally load HBWC bullets for a PPC gun but I tried some DEWC bullets from Missouri Bullet Company (using the same powder charge- 2.4 grains of Clays). Started getting groups that looked more like my shotgun patterns so I quit that experiment. Later, someone told me that if you load the double ended WC's, to increase the velocities to make them shoot better. I did not try that so the double ended or bevel base WC's may be suitable if you don't try the 'bunnyfart" loads a lot of PPC types shoot.

 

[m1gunner]

148 gr DEWC with 3 gr bullseye, seated so crimp is in crimping groove (not flush) gives me stellar accuracy.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Just put fifty rounds of Speer bevel base 148's down range today, one ragged hole at fifteen yards double action. I use 3.3gr of Bullseye and a WW WSP primer under them.

 

[Pigirondan]

I loaded 25 DEWC with 4.7 grains of Unique. Will report back with results.