lightweight .38 wadcutters
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AllAces
r_zerr
6 posters
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lightweight .38 wadcutters
I am curious to know if anyone has tried, or is using lighter weight .38 special wad-cutters, along the lines of 100 grains, 125 gr, 140 grain, and if so, with what success, powder, velocities, and how do they perform out at 50 yards, or are they also a 25 yard bullet?
My curiosity exists because of the difficulties that people seem to have getting 148gr solid (not hbwc) to shoot consistent and well at 50 yds. Is it a twist issue, or exterior ballistics related to the mass vs. center of pressure on these square fronted bullets? Or both?
-Ron
My curiosity exists because of the difficulties that people seem to have getting 148gr solid (not hbwc) to shoot consistent and well at 50 yds. Is it a twist issue, or exterior ballistics related to the mass vs. center of pressure on these square fronted bullets? Or both?
-Ron
Last edited by r_zerr on 6/1/2015, 12:16 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : mis spelling)
r_zerr- Posts : 188
Join date : 2014-12-15
Location : Tucson, AZ
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
The problem with the full wadcutter at 50 yards is most likely the barrel twist is not sufficiently fast enough, at least with S&W M52's.
AllAces- Posts : 745
Join date : 2011-08-30
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
Ronr_zerr wrote:I am curious to know if anyone has tired, or is using lighter weight .38 special wad-cutters, along the lines of 100 grains, 125 gr, 140 grain, and if so, with what success, powder, velocities, and how do they perform out at 50 yards, or are they also a 25 yard bullet?
My curiosity exists because of the difficulties that people seem to have getting 148gr solid (not hbwc) to shoot consistent and well at 50 yds. Is it a twist issue, or exterior ballistics related to the mass vs. center of pressure on these square fronted bullets? Or both?
-Ron
Back in my PPC days, a lot of us tried the 100 grain HBWC.. I really tried back then, to get them to work..Even with the revolver 10/12 twist barrels... I did great with them at 7 and 15 yards, but after that, I could not get the X ring "knots" needed at 25 yards. Total, absolute disaster at 50 yards..15 yards was a tough part of the match.. I did fine with them at that distance, and the lower recoil was a big help..I have been working with the Penn 148 DEWC in the 52 all spring.. She is smoking hot at 25 yards with the 14 twist .357 bore.....Have not settled on a 50 yard load yet..
Jerry Keefer- Posts : 1001
Join date : 2012-01-02
Location : Maidens, VA
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
Jerry, let us know your results at 50 yds. I use Penn bullets for .45 bullseye and have wanted to try Bob's 148 gr wadcutters in my M52.
AllAces- Posts : 745
Join date : 2011-08-30
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
Jerry,
Thanks for what I believe is the answer to my question. If the faster twists will not produce stability then it is most likely "futile" and caused by the other ballistic nature of launching beer-cans down range. Without more serious computation, it seems like the 148gr hollow base WC seem to be able to perform because the center of mass would be more forward.
To kill my curiosity (the cat) did you ever try any of the nose variations that would have included a more prominent button nose, or even a rounded/domed nose wadcutter like the Lyman 358-356?
-Ron
Thanks for what I believe is the answer to my question. If the faster twists will not produce stability then it is most likely "futile" and caused by the other ballistic nature of launching beer-cans down range. Without more serious computation, it seems like the 148gr hollow base WC seem to be able to perform because the center of mass would be more forward.
To kill my curiosity (the cat) did you ever try any of the nose variations that would have included a more prominent button nose, or even a rounded/domed nose wadcutter like the Lyman 358-356?
-Ron
r_zerr- Posts : 188
Join date : 2014-12-15
Location : Tucson, AZ
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
Yes, I did a lot of bullet casting in the late 60s for bullseye and shot a 1911 38 for a number of years..BUT, I was much less technically accomplished back then, so I have no good, reliable advice to offer. I never tried the Lymans in PPC revolvers. Although, in later years, I could never equal the HBWC groups with any other bullet design. 158 SWC lead used in distinguished competition never came close, then again, those guns were locked into the factory twist rates..r_zerr wrote:Jerry,
Thanks for what I believe is the answer to my question. If the faster twists will not produce stability then it is most likely "futile" and caused by the other ballistic nature of launching beer-cans down range. Without more serious computation, it seems like the 148gr hollow base WC seem to be able to perform because the center of mass would be more forward.
To kill my curiosity (the cat) did you ever try any of the nose variations that would have included a more prominent button nose, or even a rounded/domed nose wadcutter like the Lyman 358-356?
-Ron
Jerry Keefer- Posts : 1001
Join date : 2012-01-02
Location : Maidens, VA
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
Jerry,
you may not have been as technically accomplished back then, but it is hard to argue the experience.
-Ron
you may not have been as technically accomplished back then, but it is hard to argue the experience.
-Ron
r_zerr- Posts : 188
Join date : 2014-12-15
Location : Tucson, AZ
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
LIKE JERRY I TRIED THE 100 GRAINERS. 3-D USED TO SELL THEM LOADED AND BULLETS ONLY. 15YDS WAS THE LIMIT. WON'T HOLD 10RING AT 25YDS ON A B27. I LOST A REGIONAL ONCE BY USING 12 OF THEM AT THE 25YRD LINE BY MISTAKE. NEVER EVEN BOTHERED WITH THEM AFTER THAT.
JIMPGOV- Posts : 657
Join date : 2011-09-27
Re: lightweight .38 wadcutters
Try and get a .32 S&W Long wadcutter to perform well at 50 yards, and you'll kiss the .38 wadcutter.
noylj- Posts : 433
Join date : 2012-03-09
Age : 75
Location : SW USA
32 50 Yard Performance?
The attached image is typical of the barrels I test at 50 yards.noylj wrote:Try and get a .32 S&W Long wadcutter to perform well at 50 yards, and you'll kiss the .38 wadcutter.
Cheers,
Dave
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fc60- Posts : 1459
Join date : 2011-06-11
Location : South Prairie, WA 98385
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