38 wadcutters

[IlikeSA]

I shot my first factory .38 lead wadcutters last week and was really impressed. I have been doing some reading and had a few questions, as I am trying to get the most use out of it (slow to Buffalo Bore style hot).

Will hardcast lead, properly sized, foul the bore at slow (38 special loading) speeds?

If I crank up the speed to 357 speeds (12-1400), will it do so?

Will hardcast at slow speeds be noticable in the differences of accuracy compared to a swaged lead with a hollow base?

How about the plated bullets for slow and faster speeds?

 

[RON in PA]

In my experience hardcast lead bullets driven at slow speeds are more apt to cause leading than soft swaged lead bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have never had lead in my barrels from 12 BHN Cast WC bullets but I have not pushed them past 1000 fps either. I have shot them in .357 Magnum brass using HS6.

 

[1KPerDay]

I wouldn't shoot the long WC with hollow base, the traditional WC design, at mag velocities if that's what you're considering.

 

[IlikeSA]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[ericuda]

If you plan to go over 1000 I would give coated or plated a try.

 

[ljnowell]

People place entirely too much emphasis on hardness of lead and not proper fit. If the bullet is sized properly to the throats of the cylinder you could shoot Linotype at 38 target velocity and not get leading.

I have shoot 18bhn lead bullets in 38 special at very low velocity, and I've shot 10-12bhn lead at high velocity without leading, it's all about sizing. If you have a poor fit to the throats or barrel then bullet hardness really comes into play.

 

[TimSr]

I've never had leading from wadcutters at light to +P 38spl velocities regardless of hardness. I tend to think its because the entire surface of the bullets catches the rifling, but that's just the theory living in my head.

If I crank up the speed to 357 speeds (12-1400), will it do so?

This is the dangerous part, because there is little to no data for loading wadcutters at these velocities, and you can't just match up bullet weights, because wadcutters are normally seated WAY deeper than other bullets, which produces much higher chamber pressures for the same load. When developing 148gr DEWC defensive loads I started by using 158gr SWC data and SEATING DEPTH of the SWC. I ended up at 950fps from a 38 snub. I really don't know what happens with a wadcutter when you get far above that, and I've never seen data from anybody testing at those levels. Obviously needs to be a Bevel Base or Double End cast wadcutter to get up above light popper levels.

 

[mdi]

I agree with ljnowell's post. I have 3, 38s and one .357 and cast a lot of 150 gr. wadcutters (my mold drops 149-150 gr. with my alloy). Many are at or near starting levels but I do have a load for my house gun; 150 gr. DEWC over a near max. load of W231 which gives me just under 900 in my .38. I don't remember the particulars of my .357 Mag loads with hefty charges of Unique under the DEWC, but I do not remember leading being a problem. But, I size all my bullets (10-15 BHN bullets) to the same sizes as the cylinder throats of the gun used in. Very little, if any leading...

I haven't used a swaged HBWC since 1988 when I tried loading them backwards. FWIW; fail! No accuracy, most failed to open as wished, and I could buy or cast better performing SD bullets. That's when I discovered the .44 Magnum...

 

[IlikeSA]

I appreciate the replies. I ended up with MBC's coated DEWC. Now to play around with them after I get some time to do so. I will definitely watch for pressure signs if I decide to go faster.

 

[1KPerDay]

DEWCs are a good choice if you want to up the charges. You may or may not find them as accurate as true soft lead HBWC, though. You pays yer nickel and you takes yer choice.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've had very good luck with swaged lead bulets of any shape, soft cast (Penn) DEWC's, plated DEWC's, but hard cast did not do well for me under 1,000 fps.

The Penn soft cast DEWC's did well at a wide variety of speeds. IIRC some of them were around 1,100 fps.

Be cautious with plated bullets at the low end, I managed to stick a plated DEWC in my 4" revolver with a light charge.