Wadcutters vs everything else

[03RN]

You are a madman 😁👍

Edited to ask I assume this is not from a J frame

Correct. I can't pocket carry.

From a 2" barrel I'd guess probably 850fps so it wouldn't be bad.

Fwiw AR gets pulls in regularly and they typically have coupons that bring the price down to 10cpr.https://americanreloading.com/9mm-38...hst-500ct.html

[UNK]

Correct. I can't pocket carry.

From a 2" barrel I'd guess probably 850fps so it wouldn't be bad.

Fwiw AR gets pulls in regularly and they typically have coupons that bring the price down to 10cpr.https://americanreloading.com/9mm-38...hst-500ct.html

Thats going to be a stout load out of a jframe. I just picked up a a Wiley Clapp 2” its my only non j frame revolver. Maybe in that platform it would be tolerable.

[Velo Dog]

Federal Gold Medal Match Wadcutter 148gr (GM38A) averaged 14.8 and 16 inches in real 10% gel

https://brassfetcher.com/Handguns/38...Selection.html

[Wayne Dobbs]

FWIW, there are some very solid revolver trainers and users in my circle that are working on a factory .38 WC carry load that is easier to shoot, accurate, available and that performs to a solid standard. Hoping that their efforts bear fruit.

[revchuck38]

FWIW, there are some very solid revolver trainers and users in my circle that are working on a factory .38 WC carry load that is easier to shoot, accurate, available and that performs to a solid standard. Hoping that their efforts bear fruit.

A re-birth of the old “full charge” load would be about right IMO, using a coated or plated bullet to reduce smoke.

[okie john]

I really like the Precision One FMJ 148s but I can’t help but wonder if the jacket affects cutting ability to a notable degree?

Probably a lot cleaner and easier to handle in loading.


Okie John

[UNK]

FWIW, there are some very solid revolver trainers and users in my circle that are working on a factory .38 WC carry load that is easier to shoot, accurate, available and that performs to a solid standard. Hoping that their efforts bear fruit.

“Easier to shoot” color me really curious. Hopefully there will be a preorder option for PFers

[Jim Watson]

BB 150 WC defeats the purpose of using a wad cutter in a lightweight revolver.

Agree. I see the midrange .38 wadcutter as a substitute for the once popular .32 revolver.
The BB is too hot.
What seems needed is the old service wadcutter at 850 fps in 6 inch, less in hideout guns but still more than the target load.

Oh, and fill your speed loader with something with an ogive.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Agree. I see the midrange .38 wadcutter as a substitute for the once popular .32 revolver.
The BB is too hot.
What seems needed is the old service wadcutter at 850 fps in 6 inch, less in hideout guns but still more than the target load.

Oh, and fill your speed loader with something with an ogive.

This is the word! For a reload that meets this spec, use a good 148 DEWC (I like SNS Casting's - https://www.snscasting.com/38-357-14...coated-1000ct/) and load it over 3.5 grains of Bullseye, crimped to the crimp groove. Full credit to @Outpost75 for this load and tons of other tech knowledge and wisdom on the .38 Special world.

[Outpost75]

Chronographed velocities for " full-charge" wadcutter fired from various revolver barrel lengths, and cylinder gaps, selecting test weapons going through Academy gun vault seeking similar 1965-1972'vintage Colts. Several of the "loose" guns here were shot again after setting the barrels back and establishing gap to minimum. CYLINDER GAP IS AS IMPORTANT AS BARREL LENGTH!

Saeco #348 146-grain DEWC, Speer once-fired .38 Special case, CCI 500 , 3.5 grains. Bullseye, OAL 1.24"

Colt 2" Detective Special with 0.008" cylinder gap 758 fps, 19 SD
Colt 3" Detective Special with 0.006" cylinder gap 852 fps, 11Sd
Colt 3" Detective Special set back to 0.003" cylinder gap 879 fps, 18 Sd
Colt 4" Police Positive .38 Special set back to 0.004" cylinder gap 867 fps, 10Sd
Colt 4" Police Positive .38 Special before set back at 0.008" cylinder gap 829 fps, 11Sd
Colt 4" Official Police .38 Special 1972 factory rebuild with 0.003" cylinder gap 885 fps. 10 Sd
Colt 6" Official Police .38 Special 1969 factory rebuildwith 0.003" cylinder gap 910 fps, 7 SD
Marlin 1894C .357 carbine with 18-1/2" barrel 1053 fps, 9 Sd

Good approximation for standard-pressure .38 Special with lead bullets loaded with fast burning powders similar to Bullseye is to expect a Delta-V of about 10 fps for each 0.001" change in barrel-cylinder gap from Mean Assembly Tolerance.

Velocity loss is dramatic in S&W J-frames having shorter, actual 1-7/8" barrela, which are commonly shipped today with B-C gaps over 0.008". Unfortunately the S&W factory will not set back a barrel anymore and no longer keeps "+" cylinders in customer service, so if your new Scandium pocket rocket meets factory spec now allowed to be 0.010", rather than being tagged "open front gage" you need to learn to love it like it is.