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.38 special wadcutter problem
Emmitt
Member Posts: 15 ✭✭
I recently purchased a S&W Model 10 .38 special with a 4 inch barrel for my wife to target shoot with. I am new to reloading for the .38 and after some research decided on Winchester brass, CCI 500 primers, 148gr Speer HBWC, and 2.7gr of Bullseye. All went fine except for all the lead residue left on the revolver. I decided to try Rainier 148gr copper plated DEWC to eliminate the leading problem. I used the same load and after test firing ended up with a squib and a bulged barrel. Can't wait to get the bill from the gunsmith for that little mistake, but at least no one was hurt. Some may say I missed loading powder in one case. The gunsmith said to up the powder amount because of the plating. My question is what would be a proper load for this bullet?
Comments
When you say "lead residue left on the revolver" do you mean IN the bore or ON the outside of the gun? (NEITHER should be happening with that load.)
I use a Lee powder drop for consistent loads.
I believe what you are calling lead residue is actually the grease from the cast bullets. I switched to a Bayou Bullets coated bullet to solve that problem for good.
FWIW Bullseye is an economical powder due to charge weights being so low, however, it is also easy to err with it. You may want to get some Unique to increase charge weights and give yourself more of a cushion for minor discrepancies in charge.
A DOUBLE charge of Bullseye WILL blow up your gun, a double charge of Unique will fill the case to the top and be VERY obvious. With Bullseye the charge difference between a squib and a full power load is very small.
I use 3.0gr of Bullseye for target practice. The 3.5gr will work but has a little more "bark". And we don't want the ladies getting any bad flinches. The bulged barrel is interesting.
I use a Lee powder drop for consistent loads.
I believe what you are calling lead residue is actually the grease from the cast bullets. I switched to a Bayou Bullets coated bullet to solve that problem for good.
Just reread the OP and noticed you are using hollow base wadcutters. I'd try a double base wadcutter ot a standard wadcutter. I'll have to look, but the HB's don't like to be pushed too hard.
I suspect that there was a dimensional problem between the cylinder throats and the old barrel, leading to leading. The gun may be a bit out of "timing" so that the cylinder doesn't exactly line up with the bore when the hammer falls. The gunsmith replacing the barrel should check for that and advise you.
Shipping guns is a pain in the keester, but S&W does a superb job of re-building guns the right way. You might want to consider shipping it to them. Contact them and ask their opinion. You'll get back a gun that's truly as good as new.
Insufficient powder charge for a plated bullet caused the OP's"squib".
The coefficient of friction of copper on steel is the bad actor, doesn't matter that the plating is thinner than a jacket.
Another friend could not stand the sight of leading and loaded some JSPs as though they were wadcutters. Friction stopped a jacket in the barrel, inertia pulled the lead core which made it all the way to the target! Ear protection kept us from noticing a difference in report and there was a new hole in the target so he fired another shot, and a number more after that. When cleaning the gun, he felt a patch "jump" the bulge. He used a correct load after having the barrel replaced.
My Speer book lists loads for BBWC and HBWC. BBWC loads with Unique they call for 4.5 gr to 5.1 gr, with velocities of 868 and 981 fps. Bullseye is listed at 3.9 gr to 4.5 gr, with speeds of 813 and 933 fps.
Speer lists only Bullseye loads for HBWC with loads starting at 2.8 gr and going to 3.1 gr, with speeds of 741 and 799 fps.
My Hornady book includes BBWC, HBWC, and DEWC in it's listings, with no distinction made between bullet profiles. Unique is listed at 2.4 gr to 3.5 gr, with velocities of 550 to 750 fps. Bullseye starts off with 2.1 gr and goes to 3.0 gr, with velocities ranging from 550 to 750 fps.
It's interesting that the Hornady loads are much less stout than what Speer recommends. I have no doubt in your Smith's ability to handle the stronger loads. I'm also curious as to why Speer wants the HBWC bullets to move slower than the BBWC rounds. If anyone can tell me why I'd love to know.
As far as the Rainier bullets go, Ranier recommends using lead loads because according to them, their bullets are much softer than a jacketed bullet and have less resistance going down the barrel.
I hope this info helps you out. Another thing you might try is to e-mail Alliant's customer service department for load info. I've done it many times with great results.
GH1[:)]
What diameter are the bullets at and what diameter is your bore? An undersized bullet will lead horribly. Slug the bore with a slightly oversized round ball or fishing sinker, measure with micrometer or GOOD calipers. Then measure the bullets. They should be 1/1000" over bore diameter.
Second- what if any lube is on the bullet? If no lube, buy a $3 tube of Lee liquid alox, roll the bullets in it, and let dry.
One other possibility- with a HBWC, you can expand the skirt to fit and seal the bore if otherwise undersized... but the wimpy load you're using might not accomplish this. I'd up it to 3.5 gr and try again.
Should be NO need to use a filler with bullseye.
FWIW I think a squib and lodged bullet is most likely. I've shot down to 1 grain of bullseye with 148 gr wadcutters for plinking in the garage in the winter. Yes it is still loud (neighbor came over and asked what was going on- I pointed to the nail gun and a half finished project, end of discussion) but never had one fail to come out the other end- but was SURE to load every case.
I bet you had one with like .3 gr or no powder at all followed by one with powder.
No leading due to the hardness of them and an alloy with Silver in it.
Please try the Laser Cast bullets from Oregon Trail!
No leading due to the hardness of them and an alloy with Silver in it.
I had some leading issues with some WCs I bought from midway. Try these http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=62&category=5&secondary=9&keywords=
I use 'em all the time and never have leading issues. I usually put them in front of 3.7gr of 231.