Who loads full power wc's?

[Boogsawaste]

Thank you duster340

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Those are still BR 12 with the implied limitations.

What would those limitations be? Even a plain lead bullet with a 12 BHN can be loaded to at least 1000 fps without a problem and probably more depending upon the bullet/barrel fit. Add the fact of the Hi-Tec coating and those bullets can probably be pushed to full pressure .357 Magnum pressures without a problem.

 

[at_liberty]

What would those limitations be? Even a plain lead bullet with a 12 BHN can be loaded to at least 1000 fps without a problem and probably more depending upon the bullet/barrel fit. Add the fact of the Hi-Tec coating and those bullets can probably be pushed to full pressure .357 Magnum pressures without a problem.

I don't know, but Missouri seems to. Their higher velocity bullets are BR18.

1000 fps is a mere plinker in a 327 Federal Magnum.

 

[at_liberty]

duplicate post

 

[tommy F]

38 wadcutters are very good thumpers. Compare WC front diameter to a SWC 44 or 45 and you will understand why. Many discussions on tests of hard cast Buffalo Bore WCS.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't know, but Missouri seems to. Their higher velocity bullets are BR18.

1000 fps is a mere plinker in a 327 Federal Magnum.

Velocity isn't the problem, pressure is and most times it's not the velocity or pressure causing leading, it's improper bullet/barrel fit.

Leading is often caused by too low a pressure than too high. But that doesn't matter as much when you're using coated bullets. You are quoting a formula used for lead bullets but I linked to coated bullets. The Hi-Tec 2 coating makes the outside of the bullet very hard much in the way plating does only the coating seems to be harder.

 

[Big Cholla]

I get away from casting bullets for awhile, then I re-read a thread like this and get excited about doing some casting. I am fortunate to live next door to the guru of bullet moulds in So. Nevada. He is my expert source of info that I need to satisify some question. I read this thread tonight and immediately called him about using full wadcutters for SD. He is 82 yrs. young now and is a retired LA County Sheriff. He told me that some of the Detectives carried wadcutter loads in their BUG, usually a Colt Detective special. He got interested and knowing a very competent Tool & Die maker got him to cut a tool to nicely add a little depth to a Lyman No. 35863 mould just gas check size. He pushed those resulting gas checked wadcutters up to 1500 fps out of a six inch barrel S&W. He has forgotten which model it was but thinks it probably was a M 28 Highway Patrolman. He remembers using pure Linotype metal and WW 231. The handgun and the mould are both long gone. He said that the accuracy at 1500 fps was only fair but certainly good for 'close work' .

I am sort of thinking about duplicating his efforts as I too know a great T&D maker here in LV and I have a Lyman 35863. Oh, and I have a 6" bbl. M 28. His efforts were about 30 years ago and probably have covered all that I could do today, but what the heck, I'm retired and always looking for an interesting project. ........... Big Cholla

 

[pete950]

I use Jim Cirillos Safe stops
These were tested by another member
The one on the right is what you want it some what open a little bullet is
Traveling about 800 fps

 

[Boogsawaste]

Big Cholla, glad to have sparked your interest. I hope to hear back about how your tests have gone. Sounds like something I'd be interested in!

And Pete, wish I could still get my hands on some of those safe stops. I wonder, does anyone make a mold for them? Always thought they looked sinister.

 

[Big Cholla]

Jim: I'm getting a little more enthused. This afternoon, I went over and talked to my retired LACS friend and while he added little to what he had already told me, he did suggest that I just cast some hard bullets and then use my lathe to cut gas check bottoms on a few to see if I could get any accuracy out of my M 28. I don't think that I will............I am a big "go big or go home" guy and I would rather go whole hog and have bragging rights to having the only full wadcutter gas check mould in So. Nevada My T&D man is not going to charge me much to make the cutting tool and I have a great mill to actually re-cut the mould.

I go in tomorrow afternoon for cataract surgery on my left eye. Maybe I could get the mechanical drawing of the tool cutter that I need drawn up before I go. By the time I can work in the shop again the tool will be ready. . .............. Big Cholla

 

[Neumann]

Swaged, hollow-base, soft lead wadcutters should be loaded to 600-650 fps, which is about what you get with 3.5 grains of Bullseye. At 800 fps, they will lead so badly it will come out in tinsel-like strips when you clean the barrel.

Hard cast wadcutters should be a different animal, especially if they have a flat base too. I load hard cast bullets (LaserCast) in .357 and .44 Mag to about 1400 fps, over 2400 powder. Even in a carbine, there's no leading at 1700-1800 fps. That's with RNFPs or Keith style SWCs. I suspect there will be stability problems due to drag with wadcutters, but I don't think you will get leading. Don't try high velocity using Bullseye. It can spike at higher pressures, with possibly dangerous consequences.

 

[David R]

I have never had problems with HBWC leading. I usually load them to 800 fps. I have filled more than one grease groove on BNWC or DEWC to load them to higher velocity with out leading.

Next is to try the Powder Coated ones.
David

 

[Boogsawaste]

Neumann, I have only been experimenting some hard cast button nosed wadcutters and some coated ones from bayou bullets. I wish the bayou ones were a little heavier but I like them just the same.

The hbwc I loaded were either 2.7 or 2.8 bullseye. And I stopped at 3.5 for the solid back ones. Is rather go with unique since it's slower.