new target load for .357 revolver

[SSN Vet]

I'm going to try out Berry's plated 148 gr. HBWC. And though I have loaded Berry's 148 gr. DEWC, the HBWC is new to me.

So here's my plan....

.357 case
WSPP (std.)
starting at 3.5 gr. with W231 (I've got a lot of it and don't want to switch)

Seat flush with the mouth of the case and slightly roll crimp... just enough to take the bell out and curl around the radius of the bullet. I'd like to try this and see if I can avoid having to buy a taper crimp die for .38/.357.

Sound like a decent plan?

Just as an aside, could I possibly use my 9x19 taper die (LFCD)? Or will the post size ring hit and "squish" the soft swaged lead Berry's bullet?

 

[DickM]

I can't comment on the load - I use 2.7 gr of Bullseye with my 148 gr HBWCs - but I've been crimping as you suggest for many years, seating maybe just a hair below flush and then lightly roll crimping, and it works fine - no need to go to a taper crimp, IMHO.

 

[rcmodel]

Try seating out about 1/8" and apply a very slight crimp with your standard seating die.

The protruding 1/8" of full dia bullet can align itself in the revolver chamber throat, and in theory at least give better accuracy.

Revolver match wad-cutter ammo used to be loaded that way years ago.
The flush-seated wad-cutter only came along so they would work in semi-auto match pistols like the Colt 1911 conversions and S&W Model 52.

Revolver length wad-cutter wouldn't feed in the auto pistols.

Check out this old catalog page. Revolver mid-range match in center of page:


rc

 

[SSN Vet]

thanks for the replies...

great info.

 

[Walkalong]

I load it a little long like rcmodel. (1.380 O.A.L. with 1.280 brass) Shoots great. I give it a light taper crimp with a Redding taper crimp die, but a regular 9MM seater will do just fine. It doesn't need much, just remove the bell and maybe .001 more. .002 max. I do not know offhand if the 9MM FCD will work without disturbing the bullet. The base of the 9MM is larger than the .38 Spl, but the case mouth is smaller.

3.5 Grs of W-231 should work fine, but is going to be very light. 600 FPS maybe. I load it to 700ish FPS.

 

[alrutzz]

just enough to take the bell out and curl around the radius of the bullet.

Don't you mean "circumference"?

Thanks for the info everyone. I've only tried LSWC so far but since my 6" 686 is primarily a range gun I want to give the HBWC a try.