RFI: .38 Special 148 grain wadcutter load

[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_Chap..._Wadcutter.htm

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

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...adcutterQA.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...s%20Button.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...eye%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_Chap..._Wadcutter.htm

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

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...adcutterQA.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...s%20Button.htm

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharri...eye%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.