Lee .358" 148 grain wadcutter accuracy

[JoeJames]

I had read in my old NRA Handloading Guide an article on 38 Special wad-cutter target loads, and in it they said that the cast wc bullet was a tad more accurate than swaged wc's. And recommended using 2.7 grains of Bullseye. So I loaded up some of mine I had cast with a Lee double cavity .358" 148 grain mold, tumble lubed with a 50-50 mixture of Lee Liquid Alox and mineral spirits (non water quenched) wad-cutters sitting on 2.7 grains of Bullseye, and tried them out in my 10" Thompson Contender at 15 yards on Saturday March 6, 2021. Fairly good group .625", and I was able to make some sight corrections based on it. I think it is a keeper. Alloy = wheel weights sweetened with 8" of 95% tin solder.

279214

[lesharris]

I have shot thousands of the same loading. Pistol league for 12 years.

[oldsalt444]

For years bullseye shooters have been using 2.7-2.8 BE and it's a great load. 2.7 WST over a 148 HBWC is considered "the load". All the major ammo makers load their 38 Spl Match ammo to 710 fps for a reason - accuracy. You're getting near the same velocity with your load.

[AndyC]

Wow, sweet!

[Thumbcocker]

Neat!

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[JoeJames]

I forgot to add this: in my 4" S&W Model 67 they averaged 734 fps. Not chronographed them in the Contender yet, but I figure they should be running about 750 fps or a bit faster.

[bluebird66]

I'll have to try this, great shooting by the way.

[ShooterAZ]

I use the same boolit except mine is a 6 cavity mold, the non TL version but I do tumble lube it with thinned LLA. I use 3.2 grains of Bullseye with it. Nice group! Thanks for a reminder to get out and shoot my 38's.

[Jniedbalski]

I use the same non tumble lube lee Wc with 3.2 to 3.5 of bullseye. Shoots great

[Dave C.]

I have shot thousands with 2.8 B..E.

[gwpercle]

Groups don't get much better than .625" ... Very Impressive !!!

I have discovered there is something almost magical about 2.7 grains of Bullseye in a 38 Special case , just about any cast bullet from 105 gr. SWC to 170 gr. SWC wants to group well .
My pet 38 Special load is a 160 gr. wadcutter (Lyman #358432) over 2.7 grs. Bullseye ... 15 shots at 75' will make one ragged hole 1 1/2" in diameter...with no pesky fliers !!!
Gary