38 special wadcutter

IS THERE A BOOK ON RELOADING FOR 38 SPECIAL WITH WADCUTTERS? OR CAN SOMEBODY OR SOMEONE HAVE ANY, WHAT IS A GOOD POWDER TO USE, NEED HELP, THANKS.

all you need to know. 

2.7 wst, VV310 or bullseye for hbwc or cast wc and a nice roll crimp. WST slightly better. 

and be careful not to double load.

Not sure what gun your loading for,but I have to use 2.9 bullseye for my 52. 2.7 was tumbling. I tried unique too, but had bead results. Also, everyone told me the bullets had to be flush. I get better results from a fingernail worth of lead exposed.

Well, my take is somewhat different.. The Holy Grail 2.7 of Bullseye never produced acceptable target quality Ransom Rest groups in any gun I ever tried it in..and I am not referring to a couple of tests on a Saturday afternoon, and referring to 40 plus years of extensive testing/shooting.  Check the book,  2.7 gr. of Bullseye produces a velocity of 785 fps @ a chamber pressure of 14,600 psi.. Not a model for 38 accuracy.. Choose a powder that keeps the speed in the vicinity of  680 / 700 fps and the chamber pressure as low as possible. For example.  2.4 gr. of 700X produces 710 fps @ 8700 psi.. Study the various powders, and try loads in the above speed and pressure  ranges for accuracy. Vary charge weights +/_ a few tenths and test group size.. All guns are different. Barrel twist has a huge influence on the 38 spl. HBWC... Fast twist is by far better than slow.. 10/12  twist is ideal.

I load 148gr HBWC with 2.9gr of HP-38, seated almost flush at 1.170 OAL. Very mild and pleasant to shoot. I haven't ransom rested it, but it seems very accurate at 25.

Ed Harris had some great posts on reloading 38. See the link below. The old thinking seemed to aim for around 750 fps... A lot of matches were won with these loads. But recently, the trend seems to be loading at 680-710 fps. That's what I do.

Link for Ed Harris' posts on loading the 38.

Jerry, what manual are you using? The Hornady manual has 2.7 grains of bullseye falling between 650-700 fps with a 148 gr hbwc.

Jwhelan939 wrote:Jerry, what manual are you using? The Hornady manual has 2.7 grains of bullseye falling between 650-700 fps with a 148 gr hbwc.

Alliant Powder. Page43

Where can I get a 52 barrel with a faster twist?

Custom made barrel is the only way. Converting to 2 piece barrel; original 52 barrel (chamber/lug portion) with new fast twist sleeved into it.
Jon

Anone have contact info for a gunsmith with experience re-sleaving an M52?

A few months ago I ordered some parts from Clark and they told me they are planning to start making barrels for model 52 with a faster twist rate. Try contacting them first.

AllAces wrote:Anone have contact info for a gunsmith with experience re-sleaving an M52?

The draw back to the sleeve would be, that the upper lug radius remains as is.. The factory design upper lug, is "one" of serveral problems with the factory set up.. It is not the same radius as the slide ID, and is actually no more than a clearance cut, which locks up at 12 o'clock,  if,  it makes contact at all.. Therefore,  you cannot acheive the radial contact to gain maximum lock up/support as one would on a 1911..The only answer is, as Jon mentioned, is a custom made barrel... I know of no one offering that service..
Bar Sto at one time offered 52 barrels, and the ones I have measured and checked had a better contact surface for the upper lug.. Maybe you could twist Irv's arm..
I have not measured the 52 barrel, to determine if a sleeve is possible.. The barrel outside diameter is much smaller than a 1911 and may not provide enough stock to support a sleeve insert.

never use fiocchi .38 special wadcutter in a 52-2,they don't work with 52's,but in revolver are excellent. one friend recommend this recipe for my 52: Titegroup 2.7-3.0 gr with zero DE wadcutter(2.5 gr with 7lbs wolff recoil spring). verify the page of hodgdon,they have charts online.only select the caliber,grains and Powder(winchester 231,titegroup,etc),etc. hodgdon have great variety of powders!