[Floppy_D]

Working up a 44spl target load, using 240g LSWCs. At the low velocities that I shoot them at (700-800ish, maybe lower) they tend to tear the targets slightly. Can I load LSWCs backwards as WCs? All of the reading I've done was in regards to using hollow base LSWCs backwards as hollow-points.

Being that this is a target load, I'm looking for accuracy, so if you have experience that leads you to believe that these are less accurate, please let me know.

Thanks!

[bugs100]

I saw some 38 specials loaded like that and evey single one of them tumbled..

[ClarkEMyers]

Try it and you tell us.

Sometimes baking the targets in the oven will give a brittle paper and so a cleaner cut and sometimes it won't.

[Floppy_D]

I think I might. I'll make 50 each of the same round loaded both forward and backward on a mild load, and see if any keyhole. I'm not shooting past 25yds, so they may remain stable.

My dad told me that he did this in the past with 158g in a 38 with no problems, but I'll be honest and admit that some of the reloading tricks he told me about scare the heck out of me. :D

Range on Wednesday, so I'll come up with a solution by then.

[loplop]

I have been loading these oddball 148gr. bullets (the one on the right) almost flush with the case and "backwards" like a WC. I've settled on 2.8gr. of Bullseye for now. They shoot great! No keyholing at the 25-yard range I shoot at...

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj263/discoii/IMG_0472.jpg

[Floppy_D]

I read your post maybe a week or so ago, about those bullets, and I remember you mentioning that you'd try both ways... shoulda started with you. :)

Now I'm curious. *off to the bench*

[Walkalong]

I have done it. They shoot OK. Nothing special. Get a real wadcutter design. They are plentiful.

If they are tearing your targets, you probably need a sturdier backer or stiffer paper for your targets.

[Floppy_D]

It was shot out cardboard, so that could be it. I'll still probably load them and try it out, for shiggles.

Being that I load all of my 44 loads in 44 mag brass, and 99% of my bullets are 240g LSWC, this would be a handy distinction between spl and mag, as well as a solution to the ripped targets.

I shot some 38 WC loads one time that cut the neatest holes in paper I have ever seen, and I'm looking for the easy route to that. I'm looking to not buy another set of molds, if possible.

[grendelbane]

This could be called a boat tailed wad-cutter.

I have done it before in .38 Special. Always wanted to try it in .44 Special, .41 Magnum, and .45 Colt.

Less room for powder, so conservative charges are needed. Some people use this approach with sub-sonic rifle cartridges.

[Thor Bloodax]

"Shiggles?" what is that?

[Floppy_D]

S**ts and giggles. :)

[Sport45]

Loplop,

What are those bullets? Look like they might be for one of the old heeled cartridges. (Like .22LR, but larger)

[NCsmitty]

HBWC loaded backwards have been known to be an awesome defense load for 38 special for a long time.

NCsmitty

[loplop]

Sport45, you can find the details about these bullets here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=379218

They are actually designed for PLASTIC and no powder charge, apparently. But I'm finding them to work out quite well--especially for the price.

[Sport45]

Neat. I don't load plated bullets so I missed that thread the first time around.

[longspurr]

Floppy
Loading LSWC’s backwards is a great idea. I’ve been doing this for a few years in 357, 44mag, & 45 colt cartridges that have LOT’s of room when what you want is a nice plinking / cowboy round.

I’ve found that using bullseye,231,red dot class powder s I need to drop the target charge between ½ to 1 grain.
IE if I wanted a load of 45 colt where I would load 6gr of powder, I will load 5.5 grains of powder and seat the bullet for about 1/8 of an inch sticking out of the case. This is what the local cowboy folks demand and it works just fine. I haven’t noticed any leading besides that I normally expect with the same bullet loaded normally.
I stop at just using them for ‘target’ velocity loads. I haven’t shot anything besides paper & steel but in theory they should make dandy small game loads. My revolvers love these load. My Marlin rifle HATES these loads. Shotgun style Patterns rather than groups on the paper.

[Floppy_D]

Well, today I took a hundred out to the range. 240g LSWC loaded backwards in a 44mag case, 5.5g of Unique, CCI primer. Seated flush to the case, with a taper crimp applied (to ease loading). Off of a rest, at 25 yds, I could put almost every one of them on a playing card. Several 6 shot groups would have fit on an egg-sized target, and one group had 5 of the 6 shots touching. I'll blame that one on luck, as my hands are shaky, and even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while.

The holes looked like they were cut with a hole punch; no signs of keyholing or tumbling whatsoever.

I meant to bring one of the targets home so I could get a pic, but I forgot them along with my sharpie.

I can't say that they are any more accurate than LSWCs loaded the traditional way, but they certainly aren't less accurate, and they give a visual indicator as to whether the round is a light plinking load or a full house magnum load.

[loplop]

Cool, glad they worked out for ya!

[dagger dog]

Shoot the reverse loaded 148gr 38 special HBWC into some steel plate , they expand to larger than a quarter!

[Snapping Twig]

I shot a few at pieces of 2x4 and it removed the wood above the POI - severed it.