Loading Wadcutters in 357 Mag, HeLP

TheShootist1894 · August 27, 2008, 09:12 PM

What do I need short of the regualar dies I have for 357, have been shooting wadcutters for some time, and reloading other 38/357's but would like to be able to 'roll my own' wadcutters

Thanks
Karl

shepherddogs · August 27, 2008, 09:21 PM

I think you can melt candle wax into the hollow part of the bullet seater. This makes it reasonably flat for seating and doesn't permanently damage the seater. Just heat it up and the wax melts out.

zxcvbob · August 27, 2008, 10:33 PM

You don't have to do anything different. The regular dies and seating plug will work just fine. Are you talking about loading light target loads, or .357 Magnum DEWC sledgehammers?

Wuchak · August 28, 2008, 12:07 AM

There is nothing different about loading wad cutters vs another shaped bullet.

joneb · August 28, 2008, 12:34 AM

I was getting leading with Magnus 148gr swaged HBWC in both .38spl and .357 mag. the problem was the swc seater plug in my RCBS dies was not compatable with this bullet. My solution was to ad a extra step to the reloading procedure, I readjusted my .45acp seater die with the RN plug to add a bit of a radius to the WC bullet nose, the leading problem went away

crowbeaner · August 28, 2008, 09:30 AM

If you're using RCBS dies, the 38 set has a wadcutter seating stem in one set. I have 3 different seating stems in my box; RN, SWC, and WC. If you call RCBS they might even send you one for nada. I seat and crimp in seperate steps because the WCs are usually seated flush or just below the case mouth but you may be able to seat them down to the first crimp groove if they have one. I cast all mine, so YMMV. I use the Lee 38-148-wc and Lyman 35891.

August 27, 2008, 09:12 PM	#1
TheShootist1894 Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2007 Location: Putnam County Ohio Posts: 324	Loading Wadcutters in 357 Mag, HeLP What do I need short of the regualar dies I have for 357, have been shooting wadcutters for some time, and reloading other 38/357's but would like to be able to 'roll my own' wadcutters Thanks Karl __________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Sturm Ruger-Bolt & High End Single Shot Rifles: Remington-Shotguns: Smith & Wesson-DA Revolvers: Sturm Ruger-SA Revolvers: Marlin/NEF/H&R-Best BANG for your Buck!! Quality + Accuracy + Value =

August 27, 2008, 10:33 PM	#3
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	You don't have to do anything different. The regular dies and seating plug will work just fine. Are you talking about loading light target loads, or .357 Magnum DEWC sledgehammers? __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

August 28, 2008, 09:30 AM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	If you're using RCBS dies, the 38 set has a wadcutter seating stem in one set. I have 3 different seating stems in my box; RN, SWC, and WC. If you call RCBS they might even send you one for nada. I seat and crimp in seperate steps because the WCs are usually seated flush or just below the case mouth but you may be able to seat them down to the first crimp groove if they have one. I cast all mine, so YMMV. I use the Lee 38-148-wc and Lyman 35891. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

August 27, 2008, 09:21 PM	#2
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	I think you can melt candle wax into the hollow part of the bullet seater. This makes it reasonably flat for seating and doesn't permanently damage the seater. Just heat it up and the wax melts out.

August 28, 2008, 12:07 AM	#4
Wuchak Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,093	There is nothing different about loading wad cutters vs another shaped bullet.

August 28, 2008, 12:34 AM	#5
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I was getting leading with Magnus 148gr swaged HBWC in both .38spl and .357 mag. the problem was the swc seater plug in my RCBS dies was not compatable with this bullet. My solution was to ad a extra step to the reloading procedure, I readjusted my .45acp seater die with the RN plug to add a bit of a radius to the WC bullet nose, the leading problem went away