On May 8th I bought a Model 52-1. The Specifications list its caliber as “.38 S&W Special for Mid-range Wad Cutter with flush seated bullet only.” The SAAMI 38 SPECIAL MATCH maximum cartridge drawing shows the nose of the bullet protruding .04 from the case. The maximum case length is 1.155-.020 and the maximum cartridge overall length is 1.195.
Factory ammo and swaged HBWC bullets are currently unavailable so I used what I had. (Winchester cases and primers, 2.7 grains of Bullseye and Lyman 35891 bullets which have a button nose that projects .062. I seated the bullets far enough into the cases so that the overall length was 1.198 and crimped lightly. This was the longest cartridge that the magazines would accept.
75 rounds were fired and the gun functioned flawlessly. My five shot groups were about 1.5” at 20 yards from a hastily fabricated rest. The next time I go to the range I would like to have better ammunition and a better rest.
I have never trimmed cases but would like to start. If I trim the cases to 1.135 I can seat the bullets flush and even with the nose protruding my rounds, at 1.197, will fit the magazines.
My on-line research has befuddled me. Some folks like the Lee Quick Trim System. Unfortunately, the Quick Trim Die in 38 Special is presently on back order. Some like the Lyman Universal Case Trimmer, others say it is junk. I have also read about other manufacturer’s products. The more I read the more confused I become. I do not load rifle cartridges.
What trimmers have you used? What advice can you give me? I know that I can buy a mold for a flush wad cutter but my Lyman four cavity 35891 mold works very well and casts great bullets.