Help with .38 Spl HBWC for S&W 52

bergwerk · July 2, 2005, 04:01 PM

Do you have a good recipe for the .38 Special 148 gr. Hollow Base Wadcutter to use in the Smith&Wesson Model 52?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jim Watson · July 2, 2005, 05:24 PM

Mine just gets the same 3.2 grains of Win 231 that my .38 revolver does.
I roll crimp, it helps the feeding.

bergwerk · July 2, 2005, 10:58 PM

3.0 gr. of W231 didn't do the job?

Do you know the muzzle velocity with 3.2 gr.?

Gewehr98 · July 3, 2005, 03:42 PM

2.8gr WST behind the 148gr HBWC, flush-seated with a mild roll crimp for smooth feeding and good starting pressure. My Model 52 loves it, and it seems to burn cleaner than my previous W231 loads.

Quantrill · July 4, 2005, 05:06 AM

2.5gr 700X has worked for me for many years. Quantrill

Jim Watson · July 4, 2005, 09:01 AM

Berg,

I load wadcutters with 3.2 grains W231 because that is what my CH Autochamp delivers from its solid bushing powder measure; it doesn't have continuous adjustment like a Dillon. Velocity runs 660 to 740 fps in various revolvers, I don't have a chronograph reading on the M52. I don't know what the next smaller bushing would give.

VonFatman · July 7, 2005, 02:34 PM

My 52-2 wouldn't extract without 3.5gr of 231...I know, I know....it seems high. But S&W looked at the gun, no issues there. I MIGHT be able to squeek by w/3.4gr....but no less if I expect "my" gun to kick out the empties.

Bob

July 2, 2005, 04:01 PM	#1
bergwerk Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 142	Help with .38 Spl HBWC for S&W 52 Do you have a good recipe for the .38 Special 148 gr. Hollow Base Wadcutter to use in the Smith&Wesson Model 52? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

July 3, 2005, 03:42 PM	#4
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	I've switched to a different load. 2.8gr WST behind the 148gr HBWC, flush-seated with a mild roll crimp for smooth feeding and good starting pressure. My Model 52 loves it, and it seems to burn cleaner than my previous W231 loads. __________________ "Bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round... Neural Misfires

July 7, 2005, 02:34 PM	#7
VonFatman Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2000 Location: Kansas City Posts: 587	My 52-2 wouldn't extract without 3.5gr of 231...I know, I know....it seems high. But S&W looked at the gun, no issues there. I MIGHT be able to squeek by w/3.4gr....but no less if I expect "my" gun to kick out the empties. Bob __________________ "Onward thru the Fog"

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July 2, 2005, 05:24 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	Mine just gets the same 3.2 grains of Win 231 that my .38 revolver does. I roll crimp, it helps the feeding.

July 2, 2005, 10:58 PM	#3
bergwerk Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 142	3.0 gr. of W231 didn't do the job? Do you know the muzzle velocity with 3.2 gr.?

July 4, 2005, 05:06 AM	#5
Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 725	2.5gr 700X has worked for me for many years. Quantrill

July 4, 2005, 09:01 AM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	Berg, I load wadcutters with 3.2 grains W231 because that is what my CH Autochamp delivers from its solid bushing powder measure; it doesn't have continuous adjustment like a Dillon. Velocity runs 660 to 740 fps in various revolvers, I don't have a chronograph reading on the M52. I don't know what the next smaller bushing would give.