Reloading for the S&W Model 52.

As some of you know, I recently picked up a 52-2.   Since I cast bullets, I have a lot of options.   In addition to a H&G #50 (148gr flat base wadcutter), I have a mold that casts 148gr HBWC's.   My primary question is, what size are you sizing them to?   I can size them any where from .357" to .360".   Also, I have read of the problem of bullet stability falling off at 50 yards.   Velocity is limited on HBWC's due to the possibility of blowing off the skirt of the hollow base by increasing the charge weight/velocity.   Seems to me that the regular flat base wadcutter would be a better candidate for 50 yards, but how much extra velocity can the 52 take in that regard.   Thanks in advance for your reply.

Don

I’ve loaded mostly HBWC for the reason that factory match ammo was loaded with them and there must be a reason(?)…

The factories load to the range of 750-800 fps.  This would be in the 2.6-2.8 gr of Bullseye or equivalent.  Even though I’ve duplicated these speeds with other powders, in 38 WC, my best results seem to be with Bullseye, 452AA, and 700X.  I haven’t shot enough 231 or WST or Titegroup to tell if they’re good or not.  

Back to bulletin selection, I’ve loaded some with swaged DEWC and they seem to shoot fine.  Cast DEWC I haven’t shot enough to say.  Most were not my castings so ???  And a lot of commercial casters only cast them occasionally.

Wobbley,

Currently loading 2.7gr of Bullseye with both type of wadcutters sized to .357".   Have plenty of 700X and 452AA as well.   If you're using commercial swaged wadcutters, they are no doubt sized to .358".   The slower burn rate 231 might be the way to go to get a little more velocity out of the flat base wadcutters.   I'm thinking maybe 3.1gr.

Don

Slower powders are your friend here, gets velocity without beating things up. My max for the 52 from Speer data was 3.2-231.

I liked 2.7-WST best but the target l posted the other day was 2.5 700x; very light.

Start lower and work up for your gun. Hardness may make a difference in the appearance of a glock smile in the case. 

 ALL bullets including button nose #50 flush. 

The 52 twist is too slow and diameter too small so faster velocity and lighter bullets are favored.

bruce martindale wrote:The 52 twist is too slow and diameter too small so faster velocity and lighter bullets are favored.

So, I'm on the right track sizing to .357"?

Don

When I purchased my 52 last year in the package I got a supply of about 3000
bullets. Some were the much touted Remington HBWC.
The skirt on those Remington bullets ran from .362-.365 where the nose is .356-.358.
Very difficult to measure as they are not very round. I did purchase an oversize
longer expander to help starting them into the case.
Some say try to use unsized cases and i can assure you the Remington HBWC's will not be 
starting into unsized cases.
I also got a supply of Hornady HBWC with the knurl finish and white powder lube sized at .358.
These shot on call for me using 2.8 BE and I would purchase them again if I could.
The crimp on the factory rounds that I have is my gage.
A very substantial round crimp.
A side note,
The comment that I hear a lot about the 52 being unforgiving seemed to 
be true until I changed to a set of Horton grips.
I couldn't seem to grip the stock grips the same way twice in a row and 
the results on target were not good.
With the Hortons the results are MUCH better.

Federal Gold Medal Match 38 spl. 148 gr. HBWC list there muzzle velocity at 710 FPS.

You never mistake if you can find H&N  WC H- HB.357" with 2,7 grains of N310.