Proper OAL for .38 Special 148 gr. HBSWC?

Smoke · March 2, 2009, 12:44 PM

Just loaded up 3.1 gr. Bullseye for my .38 Special with Speer 148 gr. HBSWC bullets. I heard that this was a great round for target practice, so wanted to try them. Just cannot find proper OAL to check with my caliper and adjust depth of bullet seating. What is the OAL for a factory load? Thanks for any help!
Smoke

oneounceload · March 2, 2009, 01:53 PM

148 is usually a WC bullet, not a SWC bullet. If it is indeed, a WC, seat flush with the top of the case.

mkl · March 2, 2009, 02:00 PM

As oneounceload said, the Speer Manual #12 says for the 148 grain HB-WC:

Quote:

Note: Seat bullets flush with case mouth.

The manual does not show a HBSWC.

wncchester · March 2, 2009, 02:17 PM

Lead bullets almost universally have a crimping groove. Seat them there and crimp them there.

zxcvbob · March 2, 2009, 02:38 PM

Hollow-base wadcutters usually don't have a crimp groove, so you seat the bullet flush with the case mouth and lightly crimp over the top.

Double-ended wadcutters or bevel-base wadcutters usually have a crimp groove; crimp to that -- unless you are loading for a Model 52 or other gun that won't chamber or feed them that way. (in that case, crimp over the top like a HBWC)

Unless it says otherwise, load data for wadcutters seems to always assume you are seating the bullet flush. If you are seating them longer, you may need to add .1 or .2 grains more powder.

The chamber pressures are higher than you would expect from the tiny powder charges because the bullet is seated so deep. Be careful.

ilbob · March 2, 2009, 03:32 PM

seat it flush, with a slight crimp.

Smoke · March 2, 2009, 03:43 PM

Many thanks....now I see. My Lyman manual did not list this bullet, and I apologize for incorrectly saying a "HBSWC".....the bullet is a HBWC, and I will set it flush with the case. Thanks again....I am new to this, and have a lot to learn from you all, but wanted to ask, rather than "assume"!

Smoke

mkl · March 2, 2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

I am new to this, and have a lot to learn from you all, but wanted to ask, rather than "assume"!

That's what we are here for.

No such thing as a "dumb question" or a problem with the correct terminology.

We have all been there...

Good shooting

mkl

March 2, 2009, 02:38 PM	#5
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Hollow-base wadcutters usually don't have a crimp groove, so you seat the bullet flush with the case mouth and lightly crimp over the top. Double-ended wadcutters or bevel-base wadcutters usually have a crimp groove; crimp to that -- unless you are loading for a Model 52 or other gun that won't chamber or feed them that way. (in that case, crimp over the top like a HBWC) Unless it says otherwise, load data for wadcutters seems to always assume you are seating the bullet flush. If you are seating them longer, you may need to add .1 or .2 grains more powder. The chamber pressures are higher than you would expect from the tiny powder charges because the bullet is seated so deep. Be careful. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

March 2, 2009, 03:32 PM	#6
ilbob Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2006 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 515	seat it flush, with a slight crimp. __________________ bob Disclaimers: I am not a lawyer, cop, soldier, gunsmith, politician, plumber, electrician, or a professional practitioner of many of the other things I comment on in this forum.

March 2, 2009, 12:44 PM	#1
Smoke Junior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 5	Proper OAL for .38 Special 148 gr. HBSWC? Just loaded up 3.1 gr. Bullseye for my .38 Special with Speer 148 gr. HBSWC bullets. I heard that this was a great round for target practice, so wanted to try them. Just cannot find proper OAL to check with my caliper and adjust depth of bullet seating. What is the OAL for a factory load? Thanks for any help! Smoke

March 2, 2009, 01:53 PM	#2
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	148 is usually a WC bullet, not a SWC bullet. If it is indeed, a WC, seat flush with the top of the case.

March 2, 2009, 02:17 PM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Lead bullets almost universally have a crimping groove. Seat them there and crimp them there.

March 2, 2009, 03:43 PM	#7
Smoke Junior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 5	Many thanks....now I see. My Lyman manual did not list this bullet, and I apologize for incorrectly saying a "HBSWC".....the bullet is a HBWC, and I will set it flush with the case. Thanks again....I am new to this, and have a lot to learn from you all, but wanted to ask, rather than "assume"! Smoke