146gr .38 loads needed

[dryfly]

I have a old supply of 146gr lead BBWC and LSWC. I can find lots of load data on 148gr. WC and 158gr LSWC but little on the 146gr version of these bullets.

I would feel pretty comfortable using the 148gr BBWC data but find the the starting range for WW231 to be anywhere between 3 to 4gr. Very confusing as to the wide spread.

I can only speculate as to where to start with the 146gr LSWC

I would appreciate some direction on loads using WW231 for these 146gr bullets. I will be shooting them through 2" and 4" barrels.

thanks,

Jerry

 

[rcmodel]

You can use the same data as 148 grain.

If your bullets are hollow-base wadcutters, do not use data for solid base, bevel base, or double-ended wadcutters.

Max loads for those can blow out the skirt on hollow-base bullets.

Without knowing what type your bullets are, it's hard to recommend a load.

rcmodel

 

[Jim Watson]

My long-time standard target load for 148 gr wadcutters, whether hollowbase or solid, was 3.2 gr of Win 231. Muzzle velocity was about 700 fps, but with a lot of variation depending on the exact bullet, the lot number of powder, and the gun in use.

I once got a good deal on a supply of 143 gr semiwadcutters, the old Harvey zinc base design. I ended up shooting them with 4.3 gr of Win 231. The extra 1.1 gr of powder only brought the velocity up to about 750 fps because the SWC was seated out farther, reducing the load density.

Two or three grains difference in bullet weight will not make any difference in powder charge for .38 Special.

 

[dryfly]

These are definitely not hollow-base. I thought they were bevel base but on closer inspection they are more of a flat base. I'm assuming they would require the same load as bevel base as I've never seen a loading manual list anything but lead BB or HB.

I guess my biggest concern is using the same load for the WC and SWC. It seems since the WC is seated lower into the case there would be different load requirements between the two.

I've never loaded the .38 with anything but Bullseye but I got a good deal on some WW231 a few years ago, and with powder prices being high, I thought it might be time to start using it. looks as if it is a very versatile powder.

If I had time I would run these with moderate loads through the chrono and that should tell me the ideal load. Right??

 

[rcmodel]

The 146 - 148 wadcutter is not seated any deeper then a longer, heavier SWC would be, but you don't want to use SWC load data with WC anyway.

Most commercial WC bullets, including Hornady's, are very soft lead, and best used with light target loads.

So, just about anyones wadcutter data is for light target loads.
Hornady lists BBWC, HBWC, & DEWC all under the same loading data section.

WW231 starting load = 2.2 for 550 FPS
3.5 Max for 800 FPS.

Lyman lists some hot SD loads for it's solid base 141 gr. SDWC, and 146 grain RN, cast of lynotype, up to 1,000+ FPS with 4.9 grains of WW231.
But that's probably not what you are looking for.
Unless cast of a more suitable alloy, leading would be a problem with most factory WC bullets when loaded to those high pressures / velocitys.

rcmodel

 

[Galil5.56]

Jerry,

3.4 grains of WW231 has been very good to me using 148 grain DEWC bullets cast from Magma molds. Very accurate, consistent, and economical when shot through my S&W model 60 w/3" barrel.