Willy Snyder
PO Box 2732
Pocatello, ID 83206
Search as I may, cannot find 38 Spl +P loads using cast 148 gr DEWCs…anyone have any suggested +P loads with the 148 gr DEWC?
I have a Full Wadcutter load using 4.0 grs W231 and 148 gr DEWC which clocks approx 750 fps from my 1 7/8 S&W 442…maybe 4.5-4.7 grs for +P?
“Start Low, Work Up Slow”
It seems that when a 38 special load is near max that .2 or .3 grain is all it takes to be +P. It's not a lot, like 40-50 FPS. Just enough for HP's to expand potentially better.
There is probably a reason for that. DEWC can raise pressures dramatically when it is seated too deep. Compare the bearing surface with a SWC.
IMO, DEWC are best left for mild or medium loads. If you want max frontal impact, add in wind resistance and the most honored formula is 80 % meplate or a standard LBT style rf.
Last edited by MT Gianni; 09-03-2025 at 10:29 PM.
[The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze
The older 40s through 60s vintage Lyman Reloading Manuals have high speed full wadcutter load data....will see if I can dig them out for you...
Bob
From the Lyman 44th. Use at your own risk.....
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Just looked that up...they had real .38-44 loads in their manuals till the 1970s using Unique and 2400....
Lyman 42nd Edition
Lyman 358495 WC 148 gr.
Unique: 3.5 gr./720 fps 6.4 gr./1155 fps
2400: 9.0 gr./940 fps 13.5/1380 fps
Lyman 45th Edition
Bullseye: 2.0/586 fps 3.7/923 fps
Unique: 3.5/739 6.8/1295
2400: 8.0/794 12.0/1233
Pressures are dependent on how deeply you seat your wadcutters. Sometime back a member posted a graphic of depth of seating and the resulting pressures. Hopefully you will get more responses, hc18flyer
Loads in Lyman 44 were NOT tested for pressure. Beware.
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You ought to see some of their .380acp data... 358242 120gr at 1060fps... Outpost75 is correct in that Lyman was taking the "just send it" approach back then...Originally Posted by RJM52
JDGabbard's Feedback Thread
Jdgabbard's very own boolit boxes pattern!
GOA and FPC have done more in the last decade than your NRA has done in it's entire existence... Support the ones that actually do something for you.
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition (2010) p.255
Saeco #052 148-grain OAL 1.265" 3.5 grains Bullseye 905 fps @ 17,000 psi
Lyman #358091 150-grain OAL 1.317" 3.5"grains Bullseye 925 fps@ 16,400 psi
Velocities from.4 inch vented test barrel in Universal Receiver.
I load Saeco #348 at 1.20" OAL with 3.5 grains of Bullseye a "full charge wadcutter"
Have not pressure tested, but it produces 912 fps from a 6" revolver with B-C gap.pass 0.005 / hold 0.006.
Same load in 4-inch service gun with similar gap is 860 fps.
Last edited by Outpost75; 09-03-2025 at 05:32 PM.
The ENEMY is listening.
HE wants to know what YOU know.
Keep it to yourself.
Thank you Gentlemen, appreciate all the inputs.
“Start Low, Work Up Slow”
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