MidSouth Shooters SupplyRepackboxLee PrecisionInline Fabrication
RotoMetals2WidenersTitan ReloadingLoad Data
Reloading Everything
Page 1 of 12 1234567891011 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 230

Thread: 75,000 Wadcutters in a Model 27

  1. #1
    Boolit Master Texasflyboy's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    779

    75,000 Wadcutters in a Model 27

    75,000 Wadcutters in a Model 27




    I like wheelguns. Be they Smith & Wesson, Colt, or Ruger, I’ve always had a fondness for blue steel revolvers and their later cousins in stainless steel. Because I like revolvers, I like to shoot them quite a bit, but even for a Model 27, a steady diet of full power .357 magnum loads usually results in a shorter life for the gun, and for the shooter. My favorite load for my wheelguns has always been target loaded wadcutters. For the Model 27 I started with factory loaded wadcutters in the late 1980’s, before I had the reloading bug. I shot factory ammo for years before I decided I needed to “roll my own” and enjoy the savings and benefits of my reloads.

    In 1992 I purchased a new 5” Smith & Wesson Model 27-2 at a local gunshow. The revolver came in the wood box with the cleaning rod, screwdriver and other usual accompaniments. As I was known to do in those days, I carefully ground down the grooved target trigger and slowly polished the face to a smooth mirror shine. Following the careful well-written instructions in Kuhnhausen’s book on Smith Revolvers, I slowly and carefully smoothed the action. The rear leaf sight was changed to bottom the rear sight for the loads I intended to use. The last refinement was a set of Pachmayr rubber grips that fit my meaty hands rather well.

    For the next few years I shot a variety of loads with this revolver, coming to love the big N frame and the slow improvement of its double action pull. I grew accustomed to, and then mastered the double action trigger. Most of my loads in those early years were a mixture of factory ammunition and handloads. An early favorite of mine was the Skeeter Skelton .38 Special Load. The Lyman 358156 Gas Check cast Semi-Wadcutter over a hot load of 2400. It was an accurate load, but wearing on the shooter over extended shooting sessions.

    Enter the factory wadcutter loads. A shooting friend had a stash of Winchester Western (WW Headstamp) .38 Special factory wadcutter from his competition shooting days. After a short negotiation, I owned his stockpile. In the N frame, the factory wadcutter loads barely moved the big revolver, and I could shoot hundreds of rounds each session. But soon, I exhausted the stockpile and was left with just the brass. A quick search of my Lyman reloading manual revealed a suitable load for the brass. I needed to reload.

    At about the same time my reloading setup matured. I had restarted casting bullets again after a long hiatus. I also rekindled my love affair with Hensley & Gibbs bullet moulds. When I was a crew cut wearing kid in South Louisiana, my first exposure to reloading and shooting was when I was introduced to bullet casting by a sheriff’s deputy. He carefully taught me to cast .38 Special Wadcutters with a 10 cavity gang mould and a ladle. It was slow going, but in those days, I had plenty of time between customers at my dad’s service station, so casting bullets was an enjoyable pastime. It also didn’t hurt that I was friends with the local Law Enforcement community, a relationship that later helped tame my wild teenage years. That big gang mould spewed bullets like a ripe pea patch. Oddly, I didn’t shoot the ones I cast, they were traded over a summer for my first revolver, a brand new Smith & Wesson Model 14-4, which the deputy gave me late one August evening. It was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with wheel guns. And cast bullets.

    When I renewed my interest in casting in the 1990’s, I remembered that big 10 cavity Hensley & Gibbs mould I used as a kid. In a fortunate combination of events, eBay was going strong and I was able to quickly find a perfect condition 10 cavity #50 in plain base. Thus began my wadcutter reloading. I decided to be methodical, and carefully worked up a load that shot accurately in that 5” Model 27. I also corresponded via email with a few shooters, and discovered the variables that could be eliminated to improve groups. I thought I had reached my goal. Little did I know.

    For the rest of the 1990’s I enjoyed acceptable accuracy with my cast reloads. When I moved to Northern Virginia in 2008, I discovered a neighbor whose vast experience with cast bullets, reloading, and other subjects dwarfed my own knowledge. Ed Harris kindly mentored me when I explained my success with my own reloads, and he gave me the knowledge I needed to improve on what I had. He patiently explained to me how to eliminate variables and I re-read all of his articles on .38 Special loads. The information was an eye-opener. I still had a lot to learn.

    Ed also tutored me. First was the mastery of tumble lubing with Lee Liquid Alox. All those years previously I had patiently used a Star Sizer with a .358” die to size and then lube those wadcutters, one at a time. Ed showed me how to lube hundreds of wadcutters in about two minutes and allow them to air dry in about a day or so. A vast improvement on my own laborious technique. I lubed as cast, no sizing. Using a micrometer, I discovered that my 10 cavity mould dropped bullets right at .358”/.359”, perfect to shoot as cast. Below is a photo of a short casting session with a 10 cavity Hensley & Gibbs #50 Plain Base:

    Mound of Wadcutters

    Ed also encouraged me to exclusively use wadcutter brass, something I had not always done. I usually grabbed whatever .38 Special brass was at hand and loaded them. Accuracy was mediocre as I later discovered. I could do much better by focusing on wadcutter brass. I methodically went through my entire .38 Special brass pile and pulled out all the wadcutter brass (double cannelure). I was left with two head stamps, Winchester Western (WW) and Winchester. I went one step further and sorted the brass and nickel plated WW head stamps into separate ammo cans.




    After conferring with Ed, all of the elements were in place. I had the projectile (the excellent Hensley & Gibbs Plain Base #50 Button Nose Wadcutter ~146 grains as cast), the wadcutter case, and the load (~3.5 grains of Bullseye). I settled down to load.

    Groups immediately began to improve. Previously, I had been impressed with 3” to 4” groups at 10 yards. I thought this was acceptable accuracy for wadcutter reloads. Using the new recipe, my average groups began to shrink and my confidence in the load began to increase. 3” groups were rapidly becoming the maximum, 2” groups were average. On some long strings of fire, 11 of 12 rounds would go into 1.5”. The more I shot, the better I shot. Moving the target closer to 7 yards closed the groups dramatically. I used a homemade cardstock target with a 1” round circle as the center bull. I routinely began to excise the center bull with strings of fire.

    One evening I was shooting at the local range with Ed and he encouraged me to move the target out to 22 yards, the maximum for that range. I was hesitant, I feared I would hit everywhere but the target. But I tried it and was surprised I could keep 90% of my shots in the 8 ½ x 11” sheet of cardstock. So I kept practicing. I discovered that shooting at the longer distance forced me to address sloppy shooting techniques that I ignored at 10 yards. Front Sight…front sight….squeeze…front sight became a mantra I said to myself over and over. And the groups started to shrink at 22 yards. And become very round. I discovered shooting 300 rounds at 22 yards to “warm up” improved my shooting at 15 yards when I moved the target closer. Even better at 10 yards. My routine was to warm up at 22, then shoot at 15, then 10 and finally at 7 yards. Approximately 400 rounds per session. The load was working perfectly and I “locked it in” as they say. I decided that this load was going to be my one .38 Special target load and I wasn’t going to change anything. Over the years I had developed a habit of tearing off the Winchester Small Primer box tops and tossing them into an open .30 caliber ammo can when I recharged my Dillon Primer tubes. I have a dedicated Dillon 550B setup for .38 special wadcutter loading. The last station is a Lee Factory Crimp die, set to Ed’s suggested specs. The ammo can began to fill up with cardboard tops.

    Over the years I’ve shot many 1” groups at 10 yards with my load. I’ve come to expect that the load will perform as long as I perform. The following picture is a target I shot in February 2011 with the same load and the Model 27:

    Target shot with Model 27 and Wadcutters

    Fast forward to January 2012. I decided one day to count all those Winchester cardboards. I counted 810. That’s 81,000 small pistol primers. My best guess is that about 75,000 of those are 38 Special Wadcutters. All were shot in that Model 27 I purchased in the early 1990’s.

    The action on that Model 27 is now buttery smooth. The finish shows the honest wear of hundreds of range sessions and cleanings. I’ve never taken the side plate off since the original action job. The sights remain unchanged. It shoots 1” groups at 10 yards all day, every day, each time I bring it to the range. All of the loads I now shoot are of my own manufacture. Tracking expenses closely, I calculate that each wadcutter load cost me about 7 cents. Good value and well worth my time.

    Factory wadcutter ammunition is one of the most accurate factory loads that can be purchased for the .38 Special. I’m pleased to discover that perfectly acceptable accuracy can be achieved by the reloader using his own components paying careful attention to those factors that improve the performance of the completed rounds.

    I plan to continue to shoot this load in that Model 27 well into the fall and winter of my life.

    Here is the Model 27, well into the fall of its life. Pictured with another favorite load, the Hensley & Gibbs #135 Hollow Point (Hollow Point version of the Lyman 358156GC):

    Smith & Wesson Model 27 5"


    Here are two photos of the forcing cone area. I didn't realize the lead plating was so severe until I took the photos. Might be time for a "deep cleaning."




    Last edited by Texasflyboy; 04-27-2014 at 07:15 PM.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    http://www.hensleygibbs.com

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  2. #2
    Boolit Master on Heavens Range
    felix's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    fort smith ar
    Posts
    9,679
    It's too bad that most of us on this board do not have the interest, and fortitude, to follow through as you have. Just think, if everyone in the world practiced their given profession like this there would be no reason to have politicians, nowhere, nohow! There would be no time for entertaining the capital sins against the Lord!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins

    ... felix
    felix

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Deep South Texas
    Posts
    12,820
    There is much to be said for truly using a handgun. Some many folks just "jackrabbit" around buying, selling, tradings looking for the new gun "fix".

    The Smith and Wesson N frame in 357 Mag, is the nee plus ultra sixgun for long life with mild 38 Special loads. I got my first on in 1964 and have not been with at least on since that time. Today I have two (4" and 6") purchased new in 1981 and 1982. They are still as good as new, function and accuracy wise. They have been shot allot.

    These days I seem to be through with my Magnum phase and have fallen in love again with the 38 Special, 45 ACP and 45 Colt with factory level loads. Once you figure out shooting is supposed to be fun and not a puberty test, life gets far easier.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  4. #4
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    11
    This is the best post I have seen in a long time. I truly enjoyed reading.

    As for me, I will be shooting my first batch of cast wadcutters this weekend. Maybe someday I'll have a great story and an impressive round count to share...

  5. #5
    Boolit Master




    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    southeastern PA
    Posts
    2,887
    I remember the days of "Hmmm, wonder how fast I can make this go ??" Any more, it's more like "I'll just save the powder and enjoy myself"..... Actually, more fun this way... enjoy Mike
    Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason. Benjamin Franklin

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Allen, TX
    Posts
    345
    That was quite possibly the best post I've ever read! Thanks so much for a great read and good information. I've shot the 3.5 BE load with the 148 DEWC with complete satisfaction also. And I am really envious that you have Ed Harris for a neighbor. His articles and information have been golden for so many years.

    Thanks again, brother!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


    williamwaco's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Dallas Texas
    Posts
    4,690
    Texas!

    That was one of if not the most enjoyable post I have read on any forum.

    Thanks.


    .
    First reload: .22 Hornet. 1956.
    More at: http://reloadingtips.com/

    "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the
    government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian."
    - Henry Ford

  8. #8
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    2,108
    BRAVO!!!!

    amazing thread my friend

  9. #9
    Banned


    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    29˚68’27”N, 99˚12’07”W
    Posts
    14,662
    I second the "bravo"! That's the sort of read that I tend to expect from a good gun rag, but so often do not see anymore.

    And to think, someone on this forum recently tried to declare the .38 Special "dead"!

    Gear

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Deep South Texas
    Posts
    12,820
    I reread the original post and when I did, a couple of thoughts came to my mind on the subject at hand.

    1. I have long held the opnion that 38 Special wadcutter brass offered better performance with WC (either solid or hollow base) that traditional brass. This was common knowledge among Bullseye shooters in by gone days, but has seemed to have fallen between the cracks as the years passed. There are even some folks who dispute that now.

    A few years back, I put out an offer to buy 38 Special wadcutter brass on one of the gun boards, and came up with about 60 boxes of once fired brass. It was mixed Winchester, Western, Remington and Peters, but enough boxes of each brand to make a good lot to reload. I am really delighted to have that stash of cases. The way they last, I will never need any more.

    2. Some years back when Terry Murback was still writing, he did a great article on 38 Special mid-range wadcutter loads. It was one of the few and by far the best article I have read on the subject. About a year ago, in a coversation with Terry about the article, he told me that in all of his extensive testing, the same powder charge was the most consistant in accuracy no matter which bullet was used. The powder charge is 3.5 grains of Bulleye, the same charge that was recommended to you and which you use.

    The bottom line is I have found wadcutter brass to be superior for wadcutter bullets and 3.5/BE to be a superior powder charge for mid-range loads. I even use that charge extensively with SWC and RN bullets, also with good results.

    Articles such as yours, that reflect years of shooting are far more valuable to folks, than those who post a few bragging groups and consider they have got things figured out. Good job!
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master



    Echo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Tucson AZ
    Posts
    4,603
    MAN, I LOVE THIS BOARD! Where else would one find such an outstanding post?


    WAY TO GO, TFB!
    Echo
    USAF Ret
    DPS, 2600
    NRA Benefactor
    O&U
    One of the most endearing sights in the world is the vision of a naked good-looking woman leaving the bedroom to make breakfast. Bolivar Shagnasty (I believe that Lazarus Long also said it, but I can't find any record of it.)

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master
    9.3X62AL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Redlands, NorKifornia
    Posts
    11,551
    Superb writing, and classic information. This one needs to be stickied.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    GLL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    3,580
    Very nicely done !

    Jerry
    S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    CSRA of Ga/SC
    Posts
    375
    TX--75000RDS is almost a ton of lead. What kind of pot do you use?? What is your main lead source??

  15. #15
    Love Life
    Guest
    Great post. To be honest I didn't even know there was wadcutter brass.

    Now I will be on the hunt for some of this brass and I will start playing with my old beat up Lyman wadcutter mould. Who knew those things were for something besides slugging barrels?

    Thank you for the great write up and that revolver sure is a beauty.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master



    Springfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    San Jose, California
    Posts
    3,684
    So why is the wadcutter brass better? Snugger fit on the bullet? More consistent ignition? Something else?

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Deep South Texas
    Posts
    12,820
    Wadcutter brass has a longer straight untapered case wall than the standard case. This allows the deep seated wadcutter bullet to not hit the thicker wall of the case toward the case head. This can cause the loaded case to bulge and the bullet to be damaged. This also gives an even case tension on the entire length of the bullets. Wadcutter brass can be distinguished from regular brass by the double crimp, as clearly shown in TexasFlyboys photos.

    Don't use wadcutter brass for higher pressure loads.

    Factory 38 Special match (wadcutter) ammo comes in these cases. I don't recall wadcutter brass being available by itself.

    The standard match load was 2.7/BE which gave a velocity of 650 - 700 fps. This is good for either hollow base or solid base wadcutter bullets.

    When the powder charged is upped to 3.5/BE, you are in the full charge/service velocity of 800 to 850 fps. DO NOT shoot hollow based wadcutters at this higher charge, as you are likely to blow off a bullet skirt which will be left behind in your barrel as an obstruction. Use solid based wadcutter only.

    This is stuff you need to know if you are going to load 38 Special wadcutter ammo.

    In the days of yore wadcutter bullets were cast from 1-30 or even 1-40 alloy, so they don't have to be hard. While not a tumble lube fan, this is one place where it truly shines.
    Last edited by Char-Gar; 06-14-2012 at 02:29 PM.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  18. #18
    Love Life
    Guest
    That H&G #50 lloks interesting. My lyman mould casts FAT at .363 and the part lines are clearly visible. I do not believe it to be serviceable for the purpose of wadcutter fun.

    Time to go search E-bay for one of these moulds.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Iowa
    Posts
    1,815
    Thanks for a great post. Does Ed Harris ever post on this forum?

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master Char-Gar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Deep South Texas
    Posts
    12,820
    Quote Originally Posted by Love Life View Post
    That H&G #50 lloks interesting. My lyman mould casts FAT at .363 and the part lines are clearly visible. I do not believe it to be serviceable for the purpose of wadcutter fun.

    Time to go search E-bay for one of these moulds.
    Hensley and Gibbs molds are some of the finest ever made, but they are very pricey. I would try your .363 Lymans before I split for a new high dollar mold. At the worse, you can run those big bullets through a lee sizer pretty darn quick.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

Page 1 of 12 1234567891011 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check