HBWC/Hollow Base Wadcutters in an Autoloader

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Surprisingly, my Colt 1903 .32ACP feeds wadcutters flawlessly but I need to work the load up. I love the hole they make and would consider them to be more favorable to me than hollow points as a self defense load in this caliber.

Am I nuts? Has anyone else loaded wadcutters (real live revolver style cylinders - not semi wadcutter designs!) for auto pistols? I realize a lot of pistols won't feed them properly but the small stash of hollow based .312 cast lead bullets I have been using are awesome in accuracy and I do love this kind of bullet in a .38 Special for SD.

Thoughts and ideas as well as experience and opinions are welcome.

And *Thank You* in advance!

VooDoo

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Look up the S&W Model 52. Made for bullseye shooting with 38 spl wadcutters. They went out of production 20 years ago. Then good luck finding one, and get friendly with your banker...

 

[cfullgraf]

Also, M1911s were modified to shoot wadcutters for bullseye competition in 38 Special, 38 AMU and 38/45 Clerke. Some were more successful than others.

 

[Walkalong]

My Browning Model 1922 will feed wadcutters loaded long (I can show a pic later) pretty well, but my Beretta Model 81 will not accept them.

2.0 Grs AA #2 under a Berrys HBWC @ .835 OAL was weak and sooty.

2.2 Grs AA #2 gave an average 873 FPS and cycled well.

I have no idea what pressure they were running at, but this should give you some idea of where to start. Go .1 Gr at a time.

 

[earplug]

I have considered getting a EAA Witness in 38 Super and trying such a thing for Bullseye and other games. I had a 1911 that would hand cycle empty cases but jam with RNL. You never know until you try.

 

[Walkalong]

Here is a pic of one of the .32 rounds loaded with the Berrys 83 Gr HBWC.