Need some technical help

[788Ham]

I just received some bullets from MO. Bullet Company today, first order from them. My question is : Did I order the correct bullets for my needs? I'm, reloading .38 Spl. rounds, light target loads, won't be hopping them up. The bullets I received are "148g DEWC, Brinell #10, for PPC velocities." I'm currently loading 4.3g of Win 231 with 158g SWC lead, Brinell #14 approx. 750 fps. , using a 4" Colt Trooper revolver. Will I still be able to use the same powder, and 4.3 grains with the 148g bullets without causing bad leading? Not sure if the lead will obturate to fill the riflings, or will it be too fast and cause leading?
Thanks in advance

 

[SlowFuse]

The brinell of 10 should be just fine for that velocity. IMO more appropriate than the harder stuff you have been using.

 

[kerreckt]

I agree with post #2. I believe these 10BNH are better suited for your intended use than a 14BNH bullet. I cast my own and use ones around 10BNH for my .38spl. plinkers. When they are properly lubed I don't have any leading problems. The only time I had leading was when I first started casting. I cast some 9mm that were a bit undersized , not well lubed and I was pushing them too hard. I got to know Mr. Choreboy, real well.

 

[BYJO4]

They should work just fine for your load.

 

[Havok7416]

Why on earth would you order the bullets without doing some research about them? MBC makes some great bullets and as long as you get the right diameter, they are very versatile. I don't mean to beat you up on this but it's not like they are about to run out or anything, so you should have had time to figure out exactly what you needed.

I just ordered 2,000 LSWC from MBC and I must have spent about a week trying to decide between 140 and 158 grain.

All that said, DEWCs are usually best used for lower velocities and you shouldn't have any problems, but you should probably work the load up to be safe.

 

[Reinz]

As a general rule, unless you have a goofy sized barrel that needs slugging; as long as your bullets are .358/359 diameter you should have no worries.

 

[poco loco]

you bought double ended wadcutters, not semiwads right?

If so the process is a bit different and the load lower as you seat the bullet considerably deeper.

I use 3.1 of 231 for a light full wadcutter load in 38 special, book says about 800 to max 3.5 at about 850. My book is as old as my 231 though, new data is higher.

You should like them though, most old guns like them a lot . Have fun but ck current data for the load at Hodgdon, this is what I found from there cut and paste, reformatted and added the letters

Winchester 231
148g .358" 1.160" oal

3.5g 869 14,200 CUP
4.0g 956 15,900 CUP

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Is there a crimp groove about a 16th from each end on those? I use a Lyman button nose wadcutter myself and with the crimp groove it has you can leave just about 1/16 or so out of the case, most without are made to roll crimp over the bullet edge.

They are a fantastic light target bullet, as long as you purchased the right diameter for your pistol and don't try to drive them at magnum speeds you shouldn't have any leading problem.
750-800fps easy on the gun, soft shooting and most often very accurate as well.

 

[FROGO207]

I agree that you probably will need to reduce your load for the same results as the SWC due to the reduced volume in the casing when you seat the wadcutter in all the way. IIRC about 10% less than the SWC is what I use for them. They are plenty accurate and soft shooting when you get the load set up. I also like the economic aspect of using less propellant each round.

 

[poco loco]

just cked the MBC site and the pic shows a crimp groove so good to go. seat to the groove crimp and shoot.

It does say sized to .357 though which might be an issue. Try a light load say about 3.1-3.2 and see how she shoots...maybe bump it a bit for better obduration if it leads light.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

I would suggest doing what Poco Loco Said.

From Lyman 49th, they list the 150 Gr WC with the little button on the nose as follows
OAL 1.317"
W231 Start: 3.7 872 FPS 14,400 CUP
Max 4.2 942 FPS 16.200 CUP.

I am sure your hardness is fine for those velocities but if you want the PPL I would start lower. 3.1-3.3gr sounds very reasonable to me.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

It does say sized to .357 though which might be an issue.

That is the PPC #1. PPC #2 is .358. I hope that is the size purchased.

 

[poco loco]

Originally Posted by Jesse Heywood
That is the PPC #1. PPC #2 is .358. I hope that is the size purchased.

I do too, I missed there were 2 sizes, hope he ordered .358.
Really love the full wadcutters for target myself, esp out of snub revolvers, I recently found an ancient Lyman button nose mold but tiny, about 113g in wheel weight. did a little google and they made a 90 too, I'm on the hunt for it. Haven't shot any yet but it's in line

The joy of casting for most calibers, I get to go grab a coffee can full and size and shoot, plus size to whatever. When I cast I tend to do marathon sessions and just stack up the unsized and unlubed results then size and lube just before loading. I water drop so it would probably be easier on the sizer to use them fresh before full hardness but it isn't bad. About to try the Hy Tek super coating, supposed to completely prevent leading and no more gooey bullets on an Az summer day, hey.

Though I just got a new Lee mold for my 45-70 that's dropping at .456 and that isn't going to work.:banghead: maybe way fat powdercoat...

 

[788Ham]

No, I ordered the .357 DEWC's, not SWC's. Reason I ordered the .357 DEWC, I shot SWC in .357 diameter before with no problems at all. FROGO, I'll take your suggestion and try that approach, as you'd said, with powder flooding the market, thats why I was wanting less powerful cartridges.
Revolver I'm using is a Colt Trooper made in 62, carried a lot, not shot much, like new except for holster wear. Shoots like a laser.