Question about loading a hollow base wadcutter upside down

[TTv2]

This is probably a dumb question, but it's the first time I've ever wanted to do this. I decided to try loading a hollow base wadcutter with the hollow base sticking out like a hollow point and I want to know do I use the same powder charge when doing this as if it were loaded normally?

BTW, I'm not going to seat the wadcutter flush with the case mouth, it's going to be sticking out a bit so I can crimp on a canalure.

FYI, they're .314 Speer wadcutters being loaded in .32 everything.

 

[Ru4real]

I’ve read about people doing this. Seems to have mixed results, depending on what the person was after. If you are after lower velocity expansion, I think it will work for you.

 

[TTv2]

I guess that would be the goal, low velocity expansion. The .32 is such a small caliber I'm of the opinion that expanding bullets are the most effective option and only Hornady makes a JHP for the caliber. The Speer wadcutters, if they work, would be nice, cheap bullets for the job.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Sorry, don't have solid input on load data for your attempt but I think I understand it. I would go to the low end of the charge options for sure. Maybe, see how much water a normal WC loaded case holds and compare that to your upside down one? Expand it enough (may ruin 2 cases) so the bullet seats with your finger pressure. Would give some info on pressure I think to know how much you're reducing the capacity.

I would then shoot it in the strongest option you have, .327 hopefully. Also, I would do this with a Long or maybe .32Mag. I wouldn't do it with the .327 for many reasons.

Please keep us posted. I can see the point of it and if it is accurate has some advantages for certain things.

 

[TTv2]

I had a few cases of Federal brass for .327 available, so I decided with the intent to not seat the bullet flush I figured Titegroup was the powder to use as it's not position sensitive and I've used it with the same wadcutters in the past when I made them flush with the mouth.

I've got varying load data on using 98gr wadcutters in .327 with Titegroup, one has 2.5grains listed as a max, another has it as a starting load. I figured I'll start at 2.4 and I'll find out what's what later today.

 

[kidneyboy]

I do this occasionally with 38sp. However, I seat them flush and use the same powder charge weight. Seating them can be problematic if they are swaged and not cast. I modded a seating die just for wadcutters.

 

[Walkalong]

Your best bet with low powered .32 calibers is penetration.

 

[entropy]

Many of us have tried it with .38 Spl. If 148 HBWC's were the only bullets I had to load with, and no .38 Spl. was available commercially, (like now) I'd consider it as a contingency round. They are best used at bad breath distance in a social setting.

In .32 everything, see above.

 

[Dunross]

Your best bet with low powered .32 calibers is penetration.

I agree. Full wadcutters with a moderate powder charge behind them.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

This is probably a dumb question, but it's the first time I've ever wanted to do this. I decided to try loading a hollow base wadcutter with the hollow base sticking out like a hollow point and I want to know do I use the same powder charge when doing this as if it were loaded normally?

BTW, I'm not going to seat the wadcutter flush with the case mouth, it's going to be sticking out a bit so I can crimp on a canalure.

FYI, they're .314 Speer wadcutters being loaded in .32 everything.

Load them like a DEWC of the same weight.

 

[FROGO207]

I agree with those that say the small caliber with small kinetic energy needs a solid bullet for good penetration. That said, if you want to load them base out have at it knowing this reasoning.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I agree. Full wadcutters with a moderate powder charge behind them.

---
Several cast bullet makers sell 115gr. WFN and 95gr. WFN for .312/313" specifically for .32H&R Magnum and .32-20WCF. Several months back we had problems with a particularly nasty critter any sane person would consider an invasive species of vermin but our government, in it's malicious ignorance, has chosen to protect. I was packing up for a trip to the range when it came sauntering across the back property line. The only thing I had handy loaded was a Rossi I-Frame .32S&W Long loaded with 95gr. WFN. I actually hit it with the second shot (pretty good for me) from about 10 yards out and it tumbled then perished quickly. The little .32 slug went in just behind the left shoulder on a broad-side shot and exited by the right hip. I didn't find it but the hole coming out was a lot bigger than the hole going in - maybe it expanded from .3 to around .4(?) at most. I didn't take measurements - the stench of these critters is overwhelming! and they carry some awful diseases - I just disposed of the body, took a shower, changed clothes, then went to the range. The 95gr. load I make is intended to replicate the old .32 Colt New Police. It did the trick on thick hide and muscle so I'd imagine any normal human hit with one in the mid-section or chest would be very, very bad off. Not sure it will penetrate thick, hard bone though. Probably bounce like crazy...

 

[fxvr5]

. . . and only Hornady makes a JHP for the caliber.

Sierra makes a JHP, too.

 

[Riomouse911]

As was stated, if I was to experiment I’d use DEWC data and load the bullet to the same OAL as the DEWC data calls for.

That being said; Like a foster slug from a 12 gauge, the HBWC are made to fly heavy-end first and not as a gaping hollow point. The base isn’t designed with penetration and expansion in mind like a purposely made HP bullet is. I can imagine that even with no clothing or coat to initiate early expansion, a backwards .32 cal HBWC expands too much too quickly and then penetration will stop before something vital is struck and damaged.

Personally, for a SD load I’d just load the .32 WC to the max charge for the gun/bullet and go with that. You’ll get full diameter penetration much deeper and more reliably than with the HBWC seated backwards.

Stay safe.

 

[GJeffB]

I did some of this in the 80's with .38sp HBWC. They were loaded the same as regular wadcutters, just swapped end for end, looking for expansion. In wet paper medium the only thing that happened was the thin "skirt" just peeled off at impact. That essentially left a smaller caliber, lighter projectile that was pretty useless. Starting with a slightly smaller lighter caliber (.32 everything) getting the same results seems like even less benefit to the whole concept. Then again, back then wet newspaper was the best/only practical test medium. Ballistic gel might prove a different result.

-jb

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Sierra makes a JHP, too.

What's really strange about that is, I have Sierra's reloading app and it doesn't include ANY data for .32S&W or .32S&W Long. It only has one load for .32H&R Magnum and one load for .327 Federal Magnum, both using the 90gr. JHC you mention. I doubt that bullet will expand at all in the velocity ranges possible from a .32S&W Long, which is also probably why Sierra left those cartridges out of their current data.

 

[George P]

Load them like a DEWC of the same weight.

Yep, have done that with 32 and 38s for grins and giggles

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I tried it with .38 Special in the 1980s.
Accuracy was blah.
Expansion on various media was blah.
I have not loaded hollow base wad cutter upside down in over 30 years.

 

[FROGO207]

Well we all had to go through that experimental stage at one time just to see four ourselves. I found it rather anticlimactic compared to a regular hollow point impact. So much for cheating and being cheap!
Maybe we can save you some time and componants.

 

[MWC1974]

My curiosity is peaked. Why would you reload a hollow base wad cutter upside down?

 

[Riomouse911]

My curiosity is peaked. Why would you reload a hollow base wad cutter upside down?

To use light-recoiling Wadcutter loads with that gaping hollow point forward for expansion in a self defense use.

As the guys said above, they just come apart because they’re not designed to expand and hold together like a regular HP / JHP is.

Stay safe.

 

[cfullgraf]

I tried it with .38 Special in the 1980s.
Accuracy was blah.
Expansion on various media was blah.
I have not loaded hollow base wad cutter upside down in over 30 years.

I’ve had similar experience with 38 hollow base wadcutters seated backwards. I loaded them to standard hbwc loads but in hind sight, they could have been driven a bit harder. I’m not sure it would have made much difference anyway.

The final reason that I abandoned working with wadcutters for any thing other than target/plinking shooting is the abilty to reload the gun quickly.

 

[JJFitch]

Some 30years ago I tried it after reading about someone who thought it was effective.
I just turned them around and loaded just like my regular 148 Grn. HBWC. My target load is capable of 1 inch groups at 50 yards. The backwards round wouldn't hit a B-27 at 10 yards! Based on my experience I couldn't recommend reversed 148 grain HBWC's for anything!!

Smiles,

 

[TTv2]

Sierra makes a JHP, too.

I've not seen what they look like when expanded and my guess is it's because they don't expand at all, at least not from a handgun.

 

[TTv2]

I shot about 20 rds worth at 7 yards and the accuracy was maybe an inch and a half, so out to 20yards they'd hit a man sized tosro. 2.4grains seemed fine, may go up another couple tenths of a grain and retest.