Seating depth for .38 spl 148 gr HBWC's

[kbo518]

I have a question. This is the first time that I am reloading any type of wadcutters for .38 spl. I'm loading up with 2.7 of Bullseye behind
148 gr HBWC's. My question is at what depth should these be seated. The load data that I have seen says 1.180" minimum OAL, but most of the posts I have seen says seat flush (this would obviously make the OAL 1.155"). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Linear Thinker]

When I load for my S&W 52, I seat flush, else they won't feed.
For revolvers, you can seat the WCs at any reasonable length.
2.8gr of Bullseye is a very light target load, I would seat the bullets lower rather than higher to improve consistency (or avoid erratic ignition due to empty space in the case).
LT

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I usually go right to the line just before the bullet is flush with the case. Some old-timers will push it all the way in and do a slight role crimp to stop it from slipping out. The books call for a 1.160" C.O.L.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I seat mine flush and then use a light roll crimp. This has proven the most accurate in my guns.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Curt Blunt]

The longer overall length is okay. Just make sure they will chamber in your revolver. They will act like a SWC in which the front band helps center the round in the chamber. I've loaded 3.0 gr Bullseye and it shoots quite well and safely in my S&W M36 with the lug barrel and adjustable sights.

 

[LotI]

I load mine flush and crimp lightly.

 

[Bad Flynch]

Well, as you can see, you are going to get different opinions. The factories load their 148 gr HBWcs flush with the case mouths. That allows them to use a heavy roll crimp that acts like a bullet ogive and the ammo so loaded will feed up the feeding ramp in a semi-auto like the S&W M52 or one of the old Colts made for .38 Special. A heavy roll crimp actually improves the burning of the powder and properly applied, improves the grouping of the ammo. Use either the Redding Pro Crimp die or the Lee Factory Carbide Crimp die.

A friend of mine likes to seat his WCs out a little. If you will look in your revolver's chambers, you will see a small step down to the narrower diameter of the chamber throat at the front. He seats his bullets so that the bullet rests in this tapered-down section, the theory being that it will yield more properly centered ammo and it will shoot straighter. He likes that method and I see that another fellow who reponded here does likewise. Ammo so loaded must still be able to be chambered, but you can figure that out easily enough.

Many HBWCs do not have crimping grooves and that really makes no difference one way or another; they are soft and you can crimp into the bullet anywhere. I have done that with Hornady HBWCs.

I really like Remington factory 148 gr HBWCs. In my experience with a Ransom rest, they out-shot every other brand, with Winchester a competitor in some guns. It seemed to be an individual gun preference. Trouble is that you cannot get the Winchester bullets these days. Hornady's seem to be the next best and also seem to shoot in the guns that preferred the Winchester bullet, but they lead a teeny bit most of the time.

You should try 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and 3.0 grains of BullsEye in .38 Special cases. The loads listed seem to be sweet spots for certain guns and often it takes a Ransom Rest to find just the right load. You should also try PB at about 2.7 grains. All of these should be shot with a mild primer like the Remington 1&1/2 or the equivalent Federal. Not one of these loads needs a hot primer.

There is no evidence that using .357 Magnum cases improves anything. All they really seem to do is take a little more powder to do the same job.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I recently found Hornady 158 gr SWC/HP bullets at Powder Valley. They are selling 300 for $15.97. I bought a few boxes to make my own FBI loads since they are either too hard to find in Factory ammo or too expensive when they can be found. Look under "Cast Bullets" and then "Hornady"

 

[Sunray]

Flush with no crimp. The case mouth tension is enough to hold the bullet in place. There's not enough recoil with a target velocity .38 to need a crimp and it's detrimental to accuracy.
"...1.180" minimum OAL..." That's for a round nose or SWC. HBWC's are seated flush.

 

[cdrt]

A picture is worth a thousand words. This a factory Remington round. Sorry if it's a little fuzzy, but you get the idea.

 

[kbo518]

Thanks for all the input. That picture really helps since I have never shot or seen any factory wadcutters. Now I just have to find what's right for my gun.