38 Special Berry's 148 gr. Plated DEWC

[Barmcd]

My experience with Berry's plated bullets is the velocities I get are much slower than those listed for lead, but pretty close to those for jacketed bullets. Unfortunately, the only loads I can find for 148 gr. wadcutters are for lead, with a very short COAL (1.160") and small charges. I've read more than a few threads that say to be careful using small loads recommended for lead bullets with the plated wadcutters because you can get a bullet stuck in the barrel. I did see one post about loading a longer COAL and using the load data for 158 grain jacketed bullets. That actually sounds like the way to go.

The 158 gr. bullet is .648" long and the 148 DEWC is .548" long. I normally seat the 158 gr. bullet so the COAL is 1.446" which leaves .798" for powder in the case. If I seat the 148 gr. WC so the COAL is 1.346, I'll end up with the same .798" space for powder. I use 4.4 gr. of HP-38 with a 158 gr. FN bullet and get a velocity of 750 FPS, this is about what I'd like to get with the wadcutters. Does this sound right or am I not thinking about this right? I'll be using this in a 38 Special gun, but I can test the loads in my S&W 586.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

You are thinking correctly.

The calculation steps you took are how one progresses from reloading (following data manuals exactly) to handloading (extrapolate or interpolate from known data to a safe load with un-listed components).

 

[conan32120]

I do seem to recall that Berry's does say that their bullets are good to 1200fps, but don't quote me on that. I'm old and my memory is failing....what were we talking about? Lol

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

My experience with Berry's plated bullets is the velocities I get are much slower than those listed for lead, but pretty close to those for jacketed bullets. Unfortunately, the only loads I can find for 148 gr. wadcutters are for lead, with a very short COAL (1.160") and small charges. I've read more than a few threads that say to be careful using small loads recommended for lead bullets with the plated wadcutters because you can get a bullet stuck in the barrel. I did see one post about loading a longer COAL and using the load data for 158 grain jacketed bullets. That actually sounds like the way to go.

The 158 gr. bullet is .648" long and the 148 DEWC is .548" long. I normally seat the 158 gr. bullet so the COAL is 1.446" which leaves .798" for powder in the case. If I seat the 148 gr. WC so the COAL is 1.346, I'll end up with the same .798" space for powder. I use 4.4 gr. of HP-38 with a 158 gr. FN bullet and get a velocity of 750 FPS, this is about what I'd like to get with the wadcutters. Does this sound right or am I not thinking about this right? I'll be using this in a 38 Special gun, but I can test the loads in my S&W 586.

View attachment 1182986

I’ve read it twice and can’t find a flaw in your logic.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[film495]

my understanding is a lot of lead loads use way less than 4.4 gr. of HP-38 .. a lot less, so - just at first look that doesn't seem like a small charge or anywhere near start charges I've used.

 

[Barmcd]

my understanding is a lot of lead loads use way less than 4.4 gr. of HP-38 .. a lot less, so - just at first look that doesn't seem like a small charge or anywhere near start charges I've used.

In the Hornady manual, loads for lead bullets are smaller than the loads for jacketed bullets for a given bullet weight and velocity.

 

[Walkalong]

I use 4.4 gr. of HP-38 with a 158 gr. FN bullet and get a velocity of 750 FPS, this is about what I'd like to get with the wadcutters. Does this sound right or am I not thinking about this right?

Yes, 700/725/750 is what I generally get depending on the gun/barrel. I use
WST or Competition. Around 3.8 Grs (IIRC!) because they are faster.

 

[Barmcd]

I do seem to recall that Berry's does say that their bullets are good to 1200fps, but don't quote me on that. I'm old and my memory is failing....what were we talking about? Lol

Most are 1250, but a few are 1500.

 

[Barmcd]

I chronographed four loads of HP-38 set to a COAL of 1.346 this morning with these results. They were shot in my 1970s S&W Model 14. They are a little faster than the 158 gr. loads I extrapolated the loading data from, but I think the 10 fewer gr. of bullet weight and a shorter bullet length, providing less friction accounts for the slight difference. I'm going to split the difference between the first two and load the Berry's plated DEWC at 4.1 gr. of HP-38. That should be just over 700 FPS.

4.0 - 687 FPS
4.2 - 737 FPS
4.4 - 786 FPS
4.6 - 812 FPS

 

[Walkalong]

I'd try a few at 4.1 as well as 4.2.......enough to accuracy test as well as get numbers.

I like to set the chrono at 5 yards and the target at 7 yards to get numbers and an idea of how they will shoot.

 

[brewer12345]

I load these bullets to 1.28" over 4.0 grains of HP38. Plenty accurate out of my revolvers. I have chrono'd these at 660 FPS out of a 2" snub.

 

[Barmcd]

I've been shooting these 148 gr. Berry's DEWCs at 1.346 COAL, with 4.1 gr. of HP-38, in my S&W Model 14. I've been getting a little over 700 FPS, but I thought accuracy wasn't as good as it should be. I've wanted to seat them at 1.200 so they sit almost at the case mouth to see if it makes a difference. To that end, I split the difference in length and reduced the charge to 4.0 and then 3.9 gr. Velocity went up to a little over 800 FPS at 1.273 COAL and almost 850 FPS at 1.200 COAL with 3.9 gr. of powder. I've reloaded additional rounds down to 3.5 gr. to see if I can get velocity down to where it was at 1.346 COAL. It's a little bit of a balancing act as I've been worried about using too light a charge and ending up with a bullet stuck in the barrel.

 

[1KPerDay]

Did accuracy improve at the shorter OAL and higher velocity? IME plated WC and DEWC in particular don’t shoot like true soft lead HBWC. I stopped trying after a while and just load SWC mostly.

 

[Barmcd]

Did accuracy improve at the shorter OAL and higher velocity? IME plated WC and DEWC in particular don’t shoot like true soft lead HBWC. I stopped trying after a while and just load SWC mostly.

Not particularly, but I'm not done experimenting yet. I like the idea of a plated bullet so we'll see.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Plated wadcutters are not known for accuracy. Swaged hollow base lead is.

You will probably have to be satisfied with "good enough" with those plated Berrys.

 

[Walkalong]

Plated wadcutters are not known for accuracy. Swaged hollow base lead is.

You will probably have to be satisfied with "good enough" with those plated Berrys.

Yep, good enough, target is 7 yards...... Looks like I pulled one down.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Yep, good enough, target is 7 yards...... Looks like I pulled one down.

Then, of course, there is the exception to every rule...

 

[lordpaxman]

Not particularly, but I'm not done experimenting yet. I like the idea of a plated bullet so we'll see.

I’m curious about your affinity to plated. I used to shoot a lot of plated and now it’s either coated lead or jacketed. Plated were just fine and just as accurate for me.

 

[Walkalong]

Then, of course, there is the exception to every rule...

Plated bullets definitely have their limitations

 

[PO2Hammer]

I tried to use them as powder puff loads, didn’t work well.
I think they are best used as a mid range load, 900 fps or better.
I still like loading them long, I use 5 grains of Unique and a length of 1.430”.
At low speed I’ve had better results with coated DEWCs.

 

[Barmcd]

I’m curious about your affinity to plated. I used to shoot a lot of plated and now it’s either coated lead or jacketed. Plated were just fine and just as accurate for me.

I try to minimize personal lead exposure and barrel leading in my firearms. It works well enough with most calibers of bullets in plated or jacketed. I had never loaded wadcutters until I saw these on Berrys website so I tried them out. If it doesn’t get better, I’ll order some coated HBWC and try them because I’ve come to appreciate their performance on paper targets.

 

[Barmcd]

I tried to use them as powder puff loads, didn’t work well.
I think they are best used as a mid range load, 900 fps or better.
I still like loading them long, I use 5 grains of Unique and a length of 1.430”.
At low speed I’ve had better results with coated DEWCs.

That’s interesting. It may be my problem.

 

[Walkalong]

I run the Berrys HBWC at 700/725/750 FPS depending on the gun, shoots very well. I don’t know about too slow, but too fast can be problematic

 

[EricBu]

I haven't loaded the berry's plated in a while, but my memory tells me that they ran good, were acceptable accuracy wise but not as good as plain lead, or coated lead. I also recall that they weren't "true" DEWCs, as one end is beveled and the other isn't, but I may be wrong there. At their price point, I get better performance from coated at slightly less cost. I will say they do work good on coyotes at close range...out of a suppressed Marlin repeater...like taking a .357 diameter core sample, lol.

And to OPs post, yes, I see nothing wrong with your logic. I used AA2 for mine, started at the low end of lead, and worked until I got to my target velocity of ~ 800 fps from my Marlin. I also had to seat a bit longer than flush, as the Marlin needed that extra bit sticking out to function reliably with them.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I will say they do work good on coyotes at close range...out of a suppressed Marlin repeater...like taking a .357 diameter core sample, lol.

..... a 357 dia core sample...
I like it!