Plated 38 wadcutters

[7anthony7]

I am about to start reloading 38's for my model 15 and wanted to see what some experiences were all of you had with the plated double end or hollow base wadcutters. I have used Berrys before with my 10 and like them for range use. Cheap, and accurate. I have not shot the 38 in a long time and want to stay away from leading issues that I have read about. Is one of the two a little more accurate? What powder do you recommend? I am not looking for a hot load at all, just an accurate one out to about 50 max. Again, I am new to reloading, and this would be my first time with the wadcutters. Do you crimp the plated bullets?

Thanks!

[gose]

For my PPC race revolver, the best bullets I ever found were the H&N 125gr (http://www.rocosystem.com/catalog/pr...products_id=81) but they aren't cheap.
Out of a ransom rest they'll shoot ~1" 6-shot groups at 50 yards, so if you want accuracy, they're definitely worth a try.

If you dont care that much about accuracy, you can buy any HBWCs and they'll most likely shoot pretty good.

And yes, roll crimped.

[XDRoX]

Slower velocity 38spl is not really made for plated or jacketed bullets IMO. Lead excels in this caliber as you can really keep the pressure low and still shoot safely.

I think you may have a hard time finding data for slow moving plated bullets. As long as you use bullets that are the right size with good lube you shouldn't have any leading issues. I use MI bullets and they work great. My favorite powder is Trail Boss, but again, I don't think you can use TB with plated bullets.

If you do decide to use plated WC's, let us know how they work for you. I've always wanted to try them but haven't for the above reasons. I also don't know how you roll crimp being that there is no cannelure on them

[gose]

Slower velocity 38spl is not really made for plated or jacketed bullets IMO. Lead excels in this caliber as you can really keep the pressure low and still shoot safely.
I think you may have a hard time finding data for slow moving plated bullets. As long as you use bullets that are the right size with good lube you shouldn't have any leading issues. I use MI bullets and they work great. My favorite powder is Trail Boss, but again, I don't think you can use TB with plated bullets.
If you do decide to use plated WC's, let us know how they work for you. I've always wanted to try them but haven't for the above reasons. I also don't know how you roll crimp being that there is no cannelure on them

You dont need a cannelure to roll crimp, the plating is soft enough that you crimp it into the bullets, just like you would with a lead HBWC.
I use VV310 for my loads, something like 2gr, which gives me around 750 fps out of my custom 686 (might be a bit off on both the powder and velocity, but should be fairly close)
I know many great PPC shooters that use plated 125 and 148s and they all shoot wimpy puff loads, so I'm not sure where you got the info that plated bullets wont work with slow speeds.
Jacketed bullets otoh is a completely different story....

[XDRoX]

I know many great PPC shooters that use plated 125 and 148s and they all shoot wimpy puff loads, so I'm not sure where you got the info that plated bullets wont work with slow speeds.
Jacketed bullets otoh is a completely different story....

I read something a while back. I bet it was referring to jacketed, thanks.

[XDRoX]

I did just fine this on Berry's website:

When loading for these bullets, you need to use data that will attain 800 fps as a minimum. Most of the data for this bullet weight was created using a dead soft lead projectile with velocities under the 800 fps and will not work for a this bullet at those lower velocities.

My lead WC loads don't come close to 800fps. I chrono'd some of mine last weeks at 560fps.

So what I read is kind of true. Compared to lead, you need to push plated a little faster. Without a chrono, the OP may have a hard time finding data.

[EmmaGoldman]

I wouldn't worry about leading with the squishy soft lead they use for wadcutters unless you start pushing them fast, which they suck for anyway.

I've been very happy with the hornady swaged wadcutters. No leading ever in my loads and my guns, even with the barely-there powder lube.

[LGB Loader]

The old standby for 148gr LWC's is 2.7 grains of Bullseye.

[7anthony7]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like lead might be a good way to go then. Just read the horror stories of leading and did not want to open that can up in my 15. Where is a good place to buy in bulk?

[Revoman]

I tried the Berry's PHBWC and didn't have much luck with accuracy using them. I noted a lot of debris inside of the hollow-base, looked like excess copper plating junk in there, which I took as the reason for the lack of accuracy.

I switched to the Hornady LHBWC as referred in an earlier post. They are pretty dang accurate and a pleasure to shoot all day with a 3.0gr Bullseye load. Bullets are seated flush with the end of the case with a slight roll crimp. No leading at all.

[tzahoy]

I've used the plated HBWC and never could get as good accuracy as I did with lead. The best HBWC I've used is the Remington. They are really dirty out of the box from the powdered lube, but they don't lead and the gun stays very clean. If you measure them skirt is hugely oversized, but easily squeezes down to the bore size providing a good seal to both the case and the barrel.

I seat them about .015" below flush and put the largest roll crimp my dies will do that is still uniform. A good tight crimp really helps with clean combustion and consistency.