38 Spl Full Wadcutter Load - W231

[Hi-Speed]

Does anyone have a recommended 38 Spl 148 gr DEWC “Full Wadcutter” load using W231? Using my Lyman manual, 3.5 grs W231 may be a good duplicate? The load will be used in a +P rated S&W Model 442.

Appreciate any experiences and suggestions using W231 and 148 gr DEWC full wadcutters.

Thank you and Happy and Blessed New Year to all.

Eric

[dannyd]

I use 2.8 of 231 and it works great. Lee 148 WC and Arsenal 140 DEWC. Tired 3.5 works good also but moved down to 2.8 to lower the recoil some more.

308550

308551

[rintinglen]

With a ~1.32" OAL, I've loaded 4.0 grains of 231 for a full power, standard-pressure, load with a H&G 50 or 358-063. Lyman goes up to 4.2 grains in the Cast Bullet Handbook #4, but I seldom run things to the top any more. RCBS showed 4.5 grains as a top end load for their 38-148 DEWC boolit in the old Cast Bullet Manual #1, but they did not list an OAL.

[brokeasajoke]

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?154344-Load-data-for-148gr-DEWC-and-win231
Was searching and found this here.

[Hick]

Same exact load as Dannyd (2.8)

[Outpost75]

With factory Remington or Winchester 148 HBWC soft swaged bullets 3.2 grains of 231 matches the velocity of Western Super Match. Do not exceed 4 grains with. HBWC to avoid blowing skirt. With solid based DEWC 5 grains approximates +P in suitable guns.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I've used 4.0 231 with DEWCs with great results, getting near 900 fps from a 6" Model 14-6.

[dannyd]

I use this chart to adjust my seating depth.

308584

[hc18flyer]

I have been following this thread. I would seat mine longer, crimping in the crimp groove. That would put the top driving band outside of the case. I am shooting for 900 fps out of my 4" S &W model # 15. hc18flyer

[Kosh75287]

I seem to remember using 3.0/W231/148 gr. DEWC, but why I used that, rather than the usual 2.8-2.9/W231/148 gr., I do not recall. It may have been to compensate for lower velocities obtained with the DEWCs, vs. HBWCs. I DO recall that the DEWCs were seated flush with the case mouth, and not with the case mouth crimped in the first groove as is often done.

That diagram of seating depths and attendant chamber pressures posted by DANNYD is something of an eye-opener. It shows why seating depth can matter a great deal, especially in smaller-volume cases. I recall reading in an old(er) Speer reloading manual about a 9mm load generating something like 29,000 p.s.i. with the bullet seated at one length, and (IIRC) 62,000 p.s.i., when the bullet was seated deeper (0.010" or 0.020", I think).
It sure shows how little things can matter in big ways, especially with little things.

[StrawHat]

Ed Harris had a good write up on full power loads with the 38 caliber DEWC.

Kevin

[SSGOldfart]

I use 2.8 of 231 and it works great. Lee 148 WC and Arsenal 140 DEWC. Tired 3.5 works good also but moved down to 2.8 to lower the recoil some more.

308550

308551

Nice shooting, just a couple of flyers but still pretty good.

[dannyd]

Nice shooting, just a couple of flyers but still pretty good.


The flyer's are me was left handed for 63 years, but because of a rotator cuff tear had to switch to right hand. So I am struggling at 65 ;)

[SSGOldfart]

I've been fighting a right shoulder rotater cuff tear for two years,shots help with the pain. my problem is My left arm doesn't work at all (TBI from a blast )