RFI: .38 Special 148 grain wadcutter load

[Ed L]

I am interested in loading a 148 grain wadcutter in .38 special to about the velocity of the Federal Gold Medal 148 grain match. It produces a velocity of about 660 feet per second out of a 2" snubnose barrel and 690-700 feet per second out of a 4" barrel. The velocity can be a bit lower, but I don't want it any higher.


Thanks,

Ed

[Spartan1980]

I run the Hornady 147 HBWC with 2.8 grains of WST. They are really nice shooting and a 10 shot group ran 650.3 FPS with a SD of 6 out of my S&W 642. That's good enough for me!

Out of a 4" M15 they clocked 714.6

ETA: If you want them a bit warmer they could be taken to 3.0 grains without worry, they'll still be nice soft loads.

[WDR]

What powders are you planning on trying? Somewhere around 3.0 grains of W231 under a HBWC should be close. Bullseye at the same charge, ish, should also be close.

The only way to know for sure is to chrono your own loads.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Ed,

Are you going to be loading DEWC or HBWC bullets? The charges are different for each.

[Lester Polfus]

Ed,

Are you going to be loading DEWC or HBWC bullets? The charges are different for each.

Yes. And to expound on what Wayne said, you have to be careful not to drive HBWC bullets too fast, as the thin skirt in the hollow base can separate and get stuck in the barrel. So HBWC and DEWC load data isn't always interchangeable.

You may have already known that, but I thought I'd throw it in the ring in case you didn't.

I've had good luck with 3.0 grains of Titegroup. It's safe for both HBWC and DEWC. I have a bunch of Titegroup because it was available during the post-Sandy Hook ammo panic. When it runs out I'll probably try something else because 3 grains is a really tiny charge that will only correctly meter through certain measures.

[diananike]

I use 3.1gr of titegroup with Hornady swaged HBWC. It’s a little hotter then you want at around 800fps from a 4”.
Definitely load lighter then that for the velocity you want.

[Ed L]

Ed,

Are you going to be loading DEWC or HBWC bullets? The charges are different for each.

A friend is doing the reloading. Thanks. I am wanting something slow moving with low recoil.

[Brian T]

Ed,

Are you going to be loading DEWC or HBWC bullets? The charges are different for each.

I have a recipe of 2.5grs of Red Dot with a Hornady HBWC. Says that load is 700 fps out of a 4" barrel. Should be lower from a 2" J.

[willie]

Red Dot, Bullseye, 231, Accurate Arms No. 2, 700x, and Titegroup all are fast burning powders well suited to load 38 spl wadcutter ammo. Hodgdon distributes several companies powders and provide on line data. Alliant's Red Dot and Bullseye are usually unavailable. Red Dot and 700x meter poorly.

[revchuck38]

2.8 grains of Bullseye under a 148-grain Zero solid-base WC went 635 fps from my 642. I didn't chrono it from anything else.

[Jamie]

I chronoed some 148 gr DEWC from Hoosier Bullets at 621 fps using 2.8grs Bullseye in my LCR.

3.6 grs of AA#2 gave me 649 fps from my LCR with the same bullet.

Both are mild recoiling and shoot to my sights.

Interested in seeing/reading what you and your friend decide on.

[358156hp]

I'm sure OP isn't looking for a lengthy lecture on the different designs of wadcutter so I'll just add this link to Glen Fryxells wadcutter article to skim through (or devour), and a little Ed Harris to follow it up.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_11_Wadcutter.htm

Now for ideas on loading data here's your Ed Harris chaser:

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/38wadcutterQA.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/Button%20nose%20vs%20Button.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/Eds%20Alliant%20Bullseye%20Data.htm

The last link gives some answers to the "what" info in the first to to give you a bit more rounded information. I own copies of the three major classes of wadcutter design and use them for different purposes i.e. terminal effect as needed. If I could only have one design I'd very likely choose the double end wadcutter (DEWC) since to me it has the greatest versatility. YMMV.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I'm sure OP isn't looking for a lengthy lecture on the different designs of wadcutter so I'll just add this link to Glen Fryxells wadcutter article to skim through (or devour), and a little Ed Harris to follow it up.

http://www.lasc.us/Fryxell_Book_Chapter_11_Wadcutter.htm

Now for ideas on loading data here's your Ed Harris chaser:

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/38wadcutterQA.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/Button%20nose%20vs%20Button.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/Eds%20Alliant%20Bullseye%20Data.htm

The last link gives some answers to the "what" info in the first to to give you a bit more rounded information. I own copies of the three major classes of wadcutter design and use them for different purposes i.e. terminal effect as needed. If I could only have one design I'd very likely choose the double end wadcutter (DEWC) since to me it has the greatest versatility. YMMV.

And that Ed Harris data is from our esteemed Outpost75

[03RN]

I know you want something soft shooting but with my limited experimenting with wadcutters I get significantly less leading and unburnt powder with w231 at least with 4gr than any lower charge. Velocity iirc is a little over 800fps from a 4" barrel.

[BN]

I'm a big fan of Alliant Bullseye in 38 Special. I almost never shoot plain lead in 38s. I use fmj, plated or coated. I've been shooting a Bayou 138 grain button nose coated bullet. I load 2.7 to 3.5 of Bullseye depending on what velocity and recoil I want. I chronoed 3.0 of Bullseye at 650fps in a 442. On a different day, Fed GMM 148 was 600 fps in the same 442. They all hit the same POI.

[Hambo]

Another vote for 2.8gr of Bullseye.

[rmfnla]

3.0 grains of Bullseye is the classic load for this bullet.