Wadcutters

[ncbengal]

I have gotten onto Hornady 148 gr hollow base wad cutters in .38 spl and found them to be extremely accurate with 3.3 gr Tite Group. I have crimped right over the top of the bullet, although the flat top seater plug (RCBS or Hornady dies) does not seem just right for that. There is no crimping groove in the bullet, but I have also left maybe 1 mm of bullet above the case. My load data shows the overall length slightly longer than the case length with this bullet, but I don't want to deform the bullet with much of a crimp. So far, accuracy is not affected -- unless I break a small chunk of lead off getting the load into the seating die.

What are some of you guys' (not gender specific!) practice with this load? Thanks.

 

[ChuckS1]

No crimp here. I just smooth out any flare at the case mouth and seat flush. I use 2.7 grains of Bullseye.

 

[max]

Just a very slight taper crimp. I seat them flush.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I use a slight roll crimp to aid in speed reloads for competition. flush at the top...nothing serious, but just enough to smooth up an incoming six.

 

[m657]

I had never loaded or shot WC until the last few years. The flush load just looks too odd for me. I loaded some up in both flush and exposed, but did not produce any significant difference in a few hundred rounds of each.

Therefore, I prefer to have just a little bit exposed, with a slight roll crimp.
I had read dozens of opinions, did a google search, and came away with .....2 different opinions:

1) leave a bit exposed;
2) make them flush;

neither faction seemed to have hard data to demonstrate the advantage of either.

I'm sure there's some such study out there, if any body can post a link.

 

[H.Callahan]

Just a very slight taper crimp. I seat them flush.

Ditto.....

 

[ncbengal]

Thanks to all! Must be some doctors or Baptists in there. Ask two people and get at least two opinions.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I'll throw my hat into the taper crimp ring. Been playing with the taper crimp in all but the heavy loads and so far so good. However if you dont want to purchase a taper crimp die a slight roll crimp with just a bit of lead out of the case works well also. Good luck.

 

[cochise]

For 148 grn HBWC I seat flush with a light crimp and DEWC a crimp in the groove a tad of lead sticking out. I found bullet jump does occur without a light crimp. I am happy with 3.2 grns of 231. I shoot mostly j frame 38's.

 

[old tanker]

Likewise...

Just a very slight taper crimp. I seat them flush.

The Model 52 likes them flush, with 2.7 grains of Bullseye.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

For 148 grn HBWC I seat flush with a light crimp and DEWC a crimp in the groove a tad of lead sticking out. I found bullet jump does occur without a light crimp. I am happy with 3.2 grns of 231. I shoot mostly j frame 38's.

Just curious, do you (and others) load 148 grain SWC the same as DEWC?

 

[cochise]

I think you mean HBWC vs DEWC. The SWC is a different shape and usually 158 grns . The hollow base needs to be loaded to low velocities to prevent distorion of the "skirt" preventing gas blow by. My loads are low enough to use the same charge regardless of type. Try 2.7 - 2.9 grns of SR7625 is a good load, mild.
Most loading manuals cover this issue in their text. Do you have one for reference?

 

[SW CQB 45]

I load different. I push the dewc to the crimp groove and a closing taper crimp. I have not loaded those in a couple of years...but I think my last load was 3.1 of 231.

I don't want to damage a corner of a softer swaged swc by leaving too much out and some of my reloads are "ruff"

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I think you mean HBWC vs DEWC. The SWC is a different shape and usually 158 grns . The hollow base needs to be loaded to low velocities to prevent distorion of the "skirt" preventing gas blow by. My loads are low enough to use the same charge regardless of type. Try 2.7 - 2.9 grns of SR7625 is a good load, mild.
Most loading manuals cover this issue in their text. Do you have one for reference?

I buy .38/357 caliber 148 grain SWC from Rim Rock Bullets, along with DEWC in the same weight. Yes they are a different shape. I have 2 manuals, Speer # 14 and Hornady 8th Edition. Both mention the SWC (Speer calls it a LSWC) in 158 grain but no mention of 148.