what is the CORRECT way to load wadcutter ammo?

[WestKentucky]

I see 2 (actually 4) ways to load wadcutter or hollow base wadcutter ammo. I usually see the bullet seated flush with the top of the case and roll crimp applied. I have also seen them loaded protruding slightly from the case and crimped in place. Then analogous to these are the "upside down defense" loads which are seated similarly. How are they supposed to be loaded, and what actually determines COAL? Is it case length, cylinder impact position, or some other factor?

 

[243winxb]

Autos/flush. Revolver in crimp groove protruding.

 

[oneounceload]

I have always loaded mine flush no matter the gun. With revolvers you do have an option of letting it protrude a little, but I am not sure what (if anything), it does for the pressures/ballistics.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Factory wadcutter ammunition is loaded flush, and that's the way I've done it for years with 148 gr. HBWC bullets. As mentioned, the S&W Model 52 will only shoot them that way.

With revolvers, they can be loaded out further, and with some solid base WC bullets that I cast, I will load them that way and crimp into the topmost groove. If you're shooting them through a revolver, load them the way that gives you the best accuracy in your gun.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

A couple of options on a LHBWC. I use the first one.

Very light Taper crimp (Not seated quite deep enough. Need to cover the crimp groove. Some people prefer completely flush.)

Light Roll crimp

Roll into cannelure (Seated long to center in throats.)

Loaded slightly long with a very light Taper crimp

(Seated a bit long to center in throats, but deep enough to help the burn.)
(Use .357 Spl brass in .357, or just load them flush in .38 brass for .357s.)

 

[Sunray]

Flush with the case mouth or a tick above. No crimp. Crimping is detrimental to accuracy.
"...the "upside down defense" loads..." Silly idea. You cannot drive a swaged HBWC fast enough for reliable expansion. Anyway, any cast bullet will expand upon impact to about twice its nominal diameter. Lead just does that.

 

[Rule3]

Flush with the case mouth or a tick above. No crimp. Crimping is detrimental to accuracy.
"...the "upside down defense" loads..." Silly idea. You cannot drive a swaged HBWC fast enough for reliable expansion. Anyway, any cast bullet will expand upon impact to about twice its nominal diameter. Lead just does that.

I do not understand what you are saying (in bold) You say a soft HBWC will not expand but then say a cast will?? I agree the upside down thing is not practical but do not agree that a hard cast bullet going at target speeds will expand to twice it's size?? I have no data one way or another,

I shoot a SW 52 with soft HBWC seated flush with a slight crimp. The only way the gun will function.

 

[Walkalong]

I load WCs flush for my .32 Long Benelli pistol.

I load DEWCs a little long and use a very light taper crimp, mostly just removing the bell.

I used to load LHBWCs to slightly over flush with a very light taper crimp, or just enough to remove the b ell.

All of these will out shoot me.

How much lead expands depends on the alloy.

 

[CLP]

guess it depends on the type of wadcutter

check out chapter 11 of From Ingot to Target....

 

[243winxb]

A 38 chambered revolver will align the 38 special round better, if the bullet protrudes into the cylinders throat. Doesn't matter in a 357 mag chamber. The leading edge diameter can be controlled by how deep the bullet is pushed into the lube sizer. (Lyman 450)

 

[Saw-Bones]

243winxb - “A 38 chambered revolver will align the 38 special round better, if the bullet protrudes into the cylinders throat.
Doesn't matter in a .357 mag chamber.”

What do you recommend if you are loading HBWC in .38Spl cases in a .357Mag revolver?

 

[Mike Kerr]

doesn't matter in a 357 mag chamberA 38 chambered revolver will align the 38 special round better, if the bullet protrudes into the cylinders throat

I changed the quote slightly to apply to Saw-Bones question as well as general agreement with 243winxb

 

[Bula]

Along the the lines of the OP, how deep do you size cast Wadcutters in a lubesizer? They have 3 lube grooves and most say only lube up to the first groove. Some of mine seem to run fat at the front band. Should I drive that bullet a little further into the sizing die?

 

[243winxb]

It's OK to run the bullet deeper into the lube sizing die, if the leading edge diameter is larger then the throat. My bullet runs at .3575" in the body and .358" on the leading edge. The die seems to have gotten larger in diameter on the tapered entrance from wear. When you get lube in the crimp groove, the bullet is going to deep into the die. You really don't want lube in a crimping groove.

 

[Saw-Bones]

243winxb - I asked you a question in post #11 and Mike Kerr answered it for you in post #12. I appreciated Mike's reply, however...

I just want to make sure that my specific concern about a HBWC loaded in a .38Spl case used in a .357Mag revolver would best be seated flush, protruding slightly, protruding into the cylinder throat or…?

Thanks….. Doc

 

[ljnowell]

When loaded in a M52 the only way to load them is flush with the case mouth and a roll crimp.

In a revolver it depends on the bullet. Loading a cast DEWC I leave some of the lead sticking out, just a touch, and put a light taper crimp on it. Roll crimping DEWC is only detrimental to it's accuracy with super fast powders and loading light target loads.

With a HBWC in a revolver, I load it exactly like I do for a S&W 52.

As far as centering in a cylinder and 357 mag vs 38 cylinders, I've never had it matter one bit. My main revolver I use is a M19 S&W. I load as above in 38 cases.

I don't mind being told in wrong about any of this, everyone has their own way and every gun is different, but I have a wall of trophies and plaques that were won on the 50 yard line with wadcutters loaded exactly as I posted.

 

[243winxb]

38 special brass in a 357 mag chamber, 148 gr wadcutter

Saw-bones, best be seated flush or protruding slightly in a 357 chamber. Using 38 brass and trying to reach the throat may not let small amounts of powder burn correctly. To much air space may be a problem?? Walkalong's testing of powder position in 357 brass, may give us a clue. See data here. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=607180

 

[Walkalong]

put a light taper crimp on it. Roll crimping DEWC is only detrimental to it's accuracy with super fast powders and loading light target loads.

Is what I found as well.

As far as centering in a cylinder and 357 mag vs 38 cylinders, I've never had it matter one bit.

As I posted, I have never been able to shoot the difference, so that makes me feel better that a much better pistol shooter sees the same thing. I do like to load my plated a little longer than just above flush though, probably a mind thing. We do something, it works great for us, and then we tend to stick to it.

 

[243winxb]

I have never been able to shoot the difference

Standing and shooitng one handed for precision pistol Bullseye, who would know, maybe a High Master?

 

[Blue68f100]

I don't thing there is a wrong or right way as long as it fits the cylinder. I load them with just a thumbnail showing. Been doing it that way for decades. But there is nothing wrong with flush. The gun and bullet design will dictate the length that you can use.

 

[TimSr]

Anyway, any cast bullet will expand upon impact to about twice its nominal diameter.

I quit using cast bullets for deer hunting because they would NOT expand.

Load data for wadcutters is very light, so that flush deep seating with not cause pressures higher than the round specs. For that matter, it doesn't even reach +P in 38s. What that means is that you can pretty much experiment with seating depths and crimps to your hearts desire, as anything less deep than flush will generate less pressure. OAL is only a consideration for accuracy, not a worry for overpressure.

I did a lot of work and research trying to find full power 38spl data for cast DEWC defense loads, and it's not easy to find, but seating depth is alot more critical as it pertains to chamber pressure, but since that isn't where the OP is going, I'll not go into it.

 

[RealGun]

If following the COL numbers of load data, the shortest would have the crimp roll slightly to conform to where the WC is rounded on the end. That does leave a small fraction beyond the case mouth. It looks flush or nearly so, but the COL is actually longer than the case.

 

[the Black Spot]

I see 2 (actually 4) ways to load wadcutter or hollow base wadcutter ammo. I usually see the bullet seated flush with the top of the case and roll crimp applied. I have also seen them loaded protruding slightly from the case and crimped in place. Then analogous to these are the "upside down defense" loads which are seated similarly. How are they supposed to be loaded, and what actually determines COAL? Is it case length, cylinder impact position, or some other factor?

On backwards wadcutter hollow base. Search for "float pilot" and look at his thread "44 special pet loads...?" Especially post #122

 

[GBExpat]

Here is a link to that Thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=679964&highlight=44+special+pet+loads

 

[.452]

Ahh. S&W 52- probably the best made and most accurate handgun I ever owned-

When first loading for it (maybe 40 years back now) I did not have the correct mould to cast so I used my round nose bullets, turned around backwards and base forward, flush with the case.

Forensic inspection of the paper target showed that the round was flying stable and always hitting flat point first, producing perfect "hole punch" hits.

Of course the correct mould was quickly used to make the correct flat based rounds, and boy they were accurate and the midrange loadings were a pleasure to shoot.