Bruce H.
Member
Today I loaded some 38 Special rounds, using Berry's plated 148 gr. HBWCs over 4.1 grains of Winchester 231, for my Blackhawk. I have never loaded or even shot wadcutters before, so I am not familiar with how much of the bullet should stick out of the brass case after loading. My Lyman manual only has data on one wadcutter, a 150 gr. linotype bullet. The manual shows a minimum overall length of 1.317" for the 150 gr. linotype. The Hodgdon web site shows data for a 148 gr. lead HBWC. It shows the min. OAL to be 1.160". I know that with the lead HBWCs there is a groove near the tip of the bullet where the roll crimp should be. But the plated bullets have no grooves to use as a reference. With the cartridges I loaded today I used an OAL of 1.300" to be on the safe side. The bullets stick out approx.
.130" beyond the neck of the brass case. What OAL do some of you use when loading these Berry's 148 gr. HBWCs for 38 Special ?
.130" beyond the neck of the brass case. What OAL do some of you use when loading these Berry's 148 gr. HBWCs for 38 Special ?