I am going to start loading 38 Spl with a 148 gr. DEWC. I have been reloading for 26 years but have never loaded this style bullet. Any advise on what type and amount of powder to use and any other factors? I am just going to punching paper. The powders I have on hand are W231. Clays, Titegroup, Unique and H110. I can buy other powder if needed. Thanks in advance.
38 Spl. 148 DEWC load data needed
- Thread starter Randy1911
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glockgod
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My manual shows 3.2gr Unique. Just loaded up some last nite-gonna test drive them Sunday. I hope!
something vague
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3.2gr. to 3.4gr. of W231 has worked excellent for me and is a blast to shoot. The problem is that my data is for HBWC so I am not too familiar with the exact bullet you're using. I believe the data would be very similar but am not 100% on that so you may want to check out your big pile of loading manuals you should have on hand if you have been loading for 20+ years. And also, you might get some crap as this question has been asked a few times recently so if I was you I would check out your search function!
loadedround
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Have to agree with Clarence on the Bullseye load, but you can load 3.0 gr of 231 with your DEWC bullet seated flush with the case mouth for a good starting target load. Crimping is not necessary with this light load, but I always give my cases a "kiss" of crimp to remove any case belling from the expander die. 
45reloader
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hornaday 7th edition 148dewc
titegroup 2.5 gr 700 ft per sec
win 231 3.0 gr 700 ft per sec
unique 3.2 gr 700 ft per sec
bullseye 2.8 700 ft per sec
all are great loads for this round i perfer w231
is most forgiving you can go all the way to 3.5 on max charge 800 ft per sec
by the way hornaday 7th great buy and all data is on light side when you go to web pages of powder manufactures all show higher charges than hornaday
for max charge so data is very safe information
titegroup 2.5 gr 700 ft per sec
win 231 3.0 gr 700 ft per sec
unique 3.2 gr 700 ft per sec
bullseye 2.8 700 ft per sec
all are great loads for this round i perfer w231
is most forgiving you can go all the way to 3.5 on max charge 800 ft per sec
by the way hornaday 7th great buy and all data is on light side when you go to web pages of powder manufactures all show higher charges than hornaday
for max charge so data is very safe information
Thanks for the info guys. I will try the W231 load since I have more of that than any other powder. One last question. These bullets have a crimp groove very near the end of the bullet. Do I crimp there or make them flush? This is what I bought.
http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=dardas&Category_Code=38WC
http://www.dardascastbullets.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=dardas&Category_Code=38WC
bluetopper
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2.5gr of Clays is a very sweet, accurate load.
If you're using in a revolver I like to leave just the bevel sticking out.
If not, seat flush for proper feeding.
If you're using in a revolver I like to leave just the bevel sticking out.
If not, seat flush for proper feeding.
ArchAngelCD
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You have all the powders you need for loading a .38 Special 148gr WC. Both W231 and Clays will do a very good job. I prefer W231 because it meters much better than Clays at the low charge weights you use in that rounds but Clays is a good clean accurate powder too.
Smokey Joe
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Seating depth...
Randy 1911--Contrary to some others (who I am sure get excellent results!) I seat my LDEWC's in .357 Mag cases, to crimp on the first groove, not over the end of the bullet.
I find that with a bit of bullet sticking out of the case, the rounds are a tiny bit easier to load in my revolver, which I use for bullseye competition. I have also seated the bullet flush with the case mouth and crimped over the end of the bullet, and as to accuracy there is no difference IMX.
Agree with the sentiment that you want as light a crimp as possible. The 231 doesn't need the crimp to get started, and the light crimp lengthens the life of the case in reloading. You also want to bell-mouth the case as lightly as possible, just enough for the bullet to get started into the case, for long case life.
With a heavier bullet, and a heavier charge of a slow-burning powder, a heavy crimp becomes much more important. But for hunting rounds, ultra-reliability is more to be desired than long case life.
Randy 1911--Contrary to some others (who I am sure get excellent results!) I seat my LDEWC's in .357 Mag cases, to crimp on the first groove, not over the end of the bullet.
I find that with a bit of bullet sticking out of the case, the rounds are a tiny bit easier to load in my revolver, which I use for bullseye competition. I have also seated the bullet flush with the case mouth and crimped over the end of the bullet, and as to accuracy there is no difference IMX.
Agree with the sentiment that you want as light a crimp as possible. The 231 doesn't need the crimp to get started, and the light crimp lengthens the life of the case in reloading. You also want to bell-mouth the case as lightly as possible, just enough for the bullet to get started into the case, for long case life.
With a heavier bullet, and a heavier charge of a slow-burning powder, a heavy crimp becomes much more important. But for hunting rounds, ultra-reliability is more to be desired than long case life.
I use 4.5gr Unique and it gives me a good 'standard' .38 instead of the lighter recoiling HBWC target ammo. I used up all my DEWC bullets and have consolidated to using 158gr SWC for both .38 and .357 but I'll have to get more wadcutters because they're fun.
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