38 special wadcutter loads

My bullet choice is Zero’s 148 gr WCHB. The Dillon dies work fine but the Redding dies allow for a more precise set up. bullets are about the cheapest factory-made .38 Special loads around here. I’m not a hoarder and I don’t keep them, but I am detailed in my process. The other popular .38 semiauto of the era was the Colt M1911 Gold Cup National Match .38 Special Mid-Range, which also began production in 1961. Hebard called it “soft” and explained in the Pistol Shooter’s Treasury that it could be very desirable, if the shooter happens to like it. With the Redding set you get a dedicated die to do the same job. ( Log Out /  Note that Redding’s Seating Die (which also serves as a crimping die) provides a roll crimp which will work for a wadcutter but is not ideal for this particular task. They are fun to shoot, have minimal recoil and offer great accuracy. Rather than a crisp, clean break it has a slight, perceptible smooth movement immediately before the trigger breaks away from the sear. If you use just one tool head on the 550 you’re not going to be able to include this wonderful die. That is enough to load an additional 83 cartridges if you’re using 3.0 grains of Hodgdon Titegroup with a 150-grain lead wadcutter. ), and a commercial swagged ( Delta?) The winning combination of a 38 Special case is why. The die creates a smooth entry radius to accommodate the bullets which is essentially a tiny shelf to seat the bullet. (Precise alignment is especially important with new brass or it may crumple when seating the bullet). It is the user’s responsibility to follow safe handloading guidelines to develop safe ammunition. That still works. (If you don’t want to buy the entire Premium die set you can pick up the Taper Crimp die separately and swap it out with your Dillon Crimp die). […] Loading the venerable .38 Special wadcutter – The .38 Special cartridge case is much longer than a .45 ACP cartridge case. Wadcutter loads for the .38 Special and the .32 Smith & Wesson Long—which was also a popular cartridge used in the heyday of centerfire cartridge bullseye competition—were known as “Mid-Range” loads and were so marked on the box. The 158-grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point (LSWCHP) +P round was likely the leading .38 Special loading for police forces across the U.S. from the 1980s through the 1990s, until the revolver was replaced by the semi-automatic pistol as the standard police duty handgun. #50? IMR Red is similar in burn rate to Red Dot. There are two ways to load the wadcutters using the Premium set. You can then seat the bullet accurately with the micrometer. Over the years, I shot a lot of .38 Special. What would be the most accurate load up to 25 yards. Jacketed hollow points, I was wanting to shoot hollow base wadcutters, mainly for the reduced recoil. I guess Speer is serious about discontinuing this bullet, which is a shame. Load it in 38 Special dies. 9mm Luger (Parabellum) Load Data; 357 Sig Load Data; 38 Special Load Data; 357 Magnum Load Data; 357 Remington Maximum Load Data; 40 S&W Load Data; 10mm Auto Load Data; 41 Remington Magnum Load Data; 44 Special Load Data; 44 Remington Magnum Handgun Load Data; 45 Auto (ACP) Load Data; 45 Colt (Single Action Army & Replicas) Load Data After your cases are prepared, swap out the toolhead with the sizing die and replace it with your second toolhead. […], […] Loading the venerable .38 Special wadcutter – 45 ACP cartridge case. Minimal taper-crimp, case-mouth was expanded but case was not sized from factory. Powder Bul Weight C.O.L. Is … This was shot in both .38 Special and .357 Magnum guns. The UN-MEDIA. The top of its barrel did not have locking lugs to engage in the slide and the toggle beneath the barrel did not pull the rear of the barrel down. Heads Up! […], […] Loading the venerable .38 Special wadcutter – 45 ACP cartridge case. The Way You Are Sleeping May Be Killing You, On Target Interview: Rob Ski--Founder AK Operators Union Local 47-74--Part 1. He implores us to use the “same make” rather than unsorted range brass. And no wonder. Hawaii Reporter. The Mid-Range was not a conventional Colt 1911. A wadcutter round loaded with 4.0 gr of #5 cycles perfectly and is oh so precise. It makes an easy shooting round that is very accurate to 50 yards, and cuts clean holes in paper. Most.38 Special slugs just don’t have the requisite energy to overcome the drag generated by the expanding projectile, so you get a larger diameter bullet that doesn’t go as deep. I also acquired their Taper Crimp Series A die specifically for the wadcutter application. It will then fit in your 38 Special gun. Over the years I’ve had a love affair with this round, particularly when shot from a semi-auto. There’s another advantage to the Redding design. The .45 ACP headspaces on the mouth of the case. Their Premium Die Set includes a Titanium Carbide Sizing/Decapping Die, an Expander Die and a Seating Die. Although the recoil is slightly more pronounced it’s still very, very mild compared to a .45, thus re-engaging your target is not problematic. Lastly, the micrometer on the Seating Die takes the guessing out of this process. (To loosen it you’ll need to give the ring a tap to free up the lock ring). The. Mr. Clark built the .38 specials by converting Colt’s 38 Super model. Zero makes consistently high-quality products at a very reasonable price. In 1974, the SAAMI established standards for today's .38 Special +P loads, which replaced the .38 High Speed and are suitable for use in most medium frame revolvers, including the Colt Diamondback and S&W "K" frame models of that time. However, if not perfectly maintained and precisely hand loaded, they are finicky. John’s most-used bullets for.38 Special Trail Loads are the Speer 158-gr. Speer 14, says in a S&W Model 14 with a 6″ barrel, their 148 grain LHBWC seated flush in a Speer case, with a CCI 500 primer, gives 690fps with 2.7 grains of Accurate #2 (improved) and with a maximum velocity of 789fps using 2.9 grains. There are other reasons why semi-autos chambered in .38 are fussy. (This necessitates using an extra Dillon toolhead). The most popular propellant for Bullseye shooters (both for .38 and .45) has traditionally been Bullseye powder. The second option breaks down the reloading process into two steps. Some guys are shooting 125 gr. With either the one or two-stage technique you can make use of Redding’s Taper Die which I much prefer over the roll crimp. ( Log Out /  The bullet cuts a crisp perforation on the paper, kind of like those hole punchers that we used in grammar school. Once the ring is tightened down you hand screw the die on the tool head and you’re quite secure. To quote the legendary marksman, Gil Hebard, “it is a two-stage affair with about 1/4 inch take-up before the sear is engaged”. I use Starline 38 Special, which is the choice of many competitors. The two-stage system allows me to incorporate Redding’s (case) Expander Die. The lock rings are cinched down with Allen head screws which makes them easy to adjust. ~ handloadingnotebook The “38 caliber” 0.357″ to 0.359″ wadcutter is most common wadcutter, at least in the CONUS. Load it using wadcutter specs, and seat the bullet flush, like a wadcutter. There’s just no room for it! Improved Red Dot is cleaner burning. Loading with Dillon Precision and Redding Reloading Equipment, The Dillon 550 series combined with Redding’s Premium die sets are a potent combination. With Dillon you achieve the same objective, flaring the case mouth, with the powder funnel. Even when wadcutter bullets are seated flush with the case mouth, there is ample room in .38 Special … No responsibility for the use or safety in use of this data is assumed or implied. In addition to the Clark conversions (and those of other gunsmiths such as John Giles) Smith and Wesson produced the Model 52 (photo at top of page) a production target gun made specifically for Bullseye competition. The Redding dies differ slightly in function from the Dillon set up so you’ll end up re-orienting your die setup. .38 Special +P loads have a MAP limit of 20,000 psi. 148 hbwc. Designed with a protruding rim for use with a revolver, it was not intended for a semi-automatic pistol like the 1911. The 1911 was specifically engineered around the .45 ACP, which features a case rim that does not protrude, allowing for smooth stacking and feed from a box magazine. 38 Special bullets for sale. This means a very stable place, a bearing surface, to align the bullet before it’s seated. There was a time, in a galaxy far away, when revolvers chambered in .38 Special were among the most common handguns in the world. powder coated, gas-check HP. I shoot in an informal PPC league and just switched to revolver. Instead the pistol has a blow-back action, which means the barrel could be kept in alignment throughout the cycling of the action. It'll look funky, but it will shoot. What’s not to like? 3.25, 3.5 grains). Lots of it was for plinking, some for cottontails, a bunch for snakes and turtles on the river and loads of it for rats at the local dump. (38 S&W) 9mm/380 Misc. Molds were Lee 148 DEWC microgroove, H&G 148 grain solid base button nose wadcutter (. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. Sadly the Contender decided to break during dry-fire (even with a snap cap! ( Log Out /  (With this method you wont’ use the Redding expander die.). April 18, 2018 By Lane Pearce Snubnose revolvers continue to be popular for self-defense. Consistency may be the hobgoblin of little minds, to paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, but if you’re shooting for accuracy, you need to be boringly thorough when making ammo. I realized that I had hit a very special count for a very special cartridge: 20,000 rounds of.38 Special. For example adjusting the seating depth on the Dillon die means using a wrench to loosen and then tighten the nut. Gil Hebard, the iconic shooter of yesteryear, suggested loading the bullet flush with the case mouth with a .370″ crimp. […]. Even better, is get some 38 S&W brass. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Loading the venerable .38 Special wadcutter, More Taxes on the Rich – But Guess What, You’re Rich, What the world’s largest eyewear company’s data breach means for Hawaii…, Homebound in the Covid-19 era? These gallery loads are almost silent when fired from my Marlin 1894 lever-action. It’s easier and more precise to operate than the Dillon powder drop funnel. Colt M1911 Gold Cup National Match .38 Special Mid-Range, Child Abandonment and HIV/AIDS in Northern Thailand (Part One), Something Congress Can Do To Actually Help Our County, Introducing Jim Mielke, Public Health Doc, Travel Writer and Bon Vivant–Part 1, 6 Books from Moorea and Tahiti – More Mistakes Faster, A Tribute to Tahiti’s Alex du Prel (1944-2017), Biting the Dust in Cambodia (Part Three) | Traveling Road Show, Biting the Dust in Cambodia (Part Two) | Traveling Road Show, 808 Viral Still Going Strong – Hawaii News Desk. Minimal taper-crimp, case-mouth was expanded but case was not sized from factory. This configuration will consist (going clockwise) of the Expander Die, the Dillon powder drop, the Seating Die and the Tapered Crimp Die. The micrometers are adjustable for bullet seating depth, each with increments equaling .001” which equates to .050” per revolution. You will be, essentially, making 38 Short Colt. But I am loading for recreational target-shooting out of a large 10″ single-shot T/C Contender pistol. Red Dot powder has been a good choice for low-velocity handgun loads for decades. The theory is that this makes the Mid-Range more accurate. You can add Redding’s taper crimp die, which I recommend. Trying out some .38 Special loads using different seating depths to see how it effects the uniformity of the load. Launched in 1961, it was based on the earlier Model 39, which was developed for the US Army. Re: 38 Special Loads by ric1911a1 on 3/29/2016, 9:18 am Zero 158 grain swaged SWC, Starline brass, Winchester or Federal primer, 2.8 grains of Bullseye, roll crimp. Designed with a protruding rim for use with a revolver, it was not intended for a semi-automatic pistol like the 1911. Reloading safe ammunition always requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases. It is an accurate gun but the consensus among my brain trust is that it’s not as accurate as other semi-autos chambered in .38 Special. I experimented with BE and others such as 231 but discovered that Accurate #5 (distributed by Western Powders) is ideally suited for semi-autos. You use this data at your own risk. If you don’t use the special die, you can use the seating die to perform the same function but it’s going to give you a roll crimp. Four .38 Specials pose for comparison; (l.-r.) jacketed hollow point, lead round nose, lead semi-wadcutter and full wadcutter. Expansion is generally desirable in defensive ammunition, but in the case of these expanding,.38 Special loads, it may also lead to shallow penetration. AA #5 is slightly snappier than BE, but in a nuanced way. I did some chronograph testing with wadcutters from six different ammo makers and took the average velocity of 10 shots fired from a 2-inch barreled revolver. This will allow the proper amount of powder to drop accurately in the case without expanding the flare that you’ve already established. A good full power load for .38 Special +P revolvers uses the 140 grain Speer bullet in front of 7.0 grains of HS6 powder for a MV of 960 fps from a 6" revolver barrel. I reached an interesting number the other day. Relatively hard Lyman No. You’ll need to move the funnel up half a turn so that it makes firm enough contact with the case. Bullets in bulk for sale with Priority Free Shipping. When it comes to brass, none other than Jim Clark stated (in Hebard’s The Pistol Shooter’s Treasury) that case consistency is of utmost importance. The lead serves as a buffer to prevent damage to the threads. That means adding only the Redding sizing die to the toolhead. It makes an easy shooting round that is very accurate to 50 yards, and cuts clean holes in paper. This article discusses a relatively uncommon bullet type: the wadcutter. When you reach the seating die you’ll also turn it up a full rotation so that it won’t crimp the case. I make a habit of counting the number of reloads I make by keeping a tally of primer and bullet boxes. I’ve even tried .38 Short Colt ammunition. They are pretty weak, too, so … Produced mostly in the 1960’s and 1970’s semi autos designed to shoot .38 wadcutters were quite the rage with Bullseye shooters. It is a +P rated at 1,069fps(7.7"bbl) and 18,700 CUP. Once the proper flare is established, the powder is dropped from the Dillon powder system. Instead of locknuts, which are utilized by Dillon to secure the dies on the toolhead, Redding uses lock rings. Revolvers chambered in .38 were widely used in matches and even semi-autos were built to shoot the .38 Special wadcutter. ( Log Out /  Otherwise the force of the shell holder repeatedly impacting the die may cause the carbide ring to crack. The first method is to swap out the Dillon sizing and seating dies with Redding Carbide sizing die and the Seating Die. Shooting the Model 52 is a different experience than firing a 1911 — some shooters may not care for the trigger action. News. Meet 8 Year Old Kaiya Mack with a Voice and a Mission to Raise $10,000 to Help Kids in Need! Winchester 231 is between Bullseye and Unique for the.38 special (see my personal load above). (Sort of like some of my past relationships). (38Spl,357) 500 S&W Cowboy Action Wadcutters 32 Caliber 44 Caliber 45 Handgun 38 Cal. Here’s a few devices to improve…, How thieves can use your card AFTER you’ve cancelled it, HPD Email Bomb Attack dissected by Attila Seress of Cylanda, Meet 8 Year Old Kaiya Mack with a Voice and a…, When the Media Embraces a Talent-Less Know-Nothing Has-Been. Opinion. There’s no question the Model 52 is extremely accurate and I agree with Hebard, it’s a challenge to shoot. In the .38 Special factory-type soft-swaged 148-grain hollow based wadcutter bullets can be flush-seated with as little as 2 grains of Alliant Bullseye and provide acceptable ballistic uniformity with good accuracy for indoor shooting at 25 to 50 feet. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Most major ammo manufacturers produce some kind of 148 grain.38 special wadcutter load but they can have pretty drastically different velocities from one brand to the next. This load, taken from the Speer Reloading Manual Number 13, uses Speer cases and CCI 500 primers. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The “38 caliber” 0.357″ to 0.359″ wadcutter is most common wadcutter, at least in the CONUS. Redding has refined this system by utilizing a tiny piece of soft lead between the front end of the retaining/tightening screw and the threads of the (steel) die body. Not only is this less precise, it may mean scraping your knuckles on the tool head or rounding the lock nut—neither of which is desirable). The Redding Seating Die doubles as a crimping die so you can remove the Dillon crimp die (if you already own a Dillon die set). We have a good selection of 38 Special Bullets and 357 Magnum Bullets. www.hawaiireporter.com/loading-the-venerable-38-special-wadcutter 38 CAL Hard Cast Lead Reloading Bullets. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ), so it may be a while until I shoot these. Load with 38 S&W data. The Redding Expander Die is an animal that doesn’t exist in the Dillon universe. Matts Bullets : 38 Cal. A database of .38 Special handloads. (Of course you can always use these dies with other Dillon presses such as the XL650.). Load with a very moderate flare and finish with a taper crimp. Change ), some folks even use them for self defense, 230 Grain Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point Short Barrel 45 ACP. Redding’s Seating Die comes with two micrometers–one that will accommodate a conventional, rounded projectile and the other with a flat surface for a wadcutter. The Premium dies offer a smooth, consistent reloading experience. Sadly the 15th edition of the manual has no data for this combination. I have settled on the 125gr XTP over 5.0 gr of Titegroup. Despite his bias he said it was the “finest example” of a soft trigger that he’d ever seen. Shooting .38 Special Wadcutters is a favorite of American Handgunner Editor Roy Huntington. The first step is to resize and add primers to your cases. Every cop on the beat carried one, and this was reflected in the competitive shooting world. Please be prepared for possible delivery delays.. We strive to ship your order within 2 business days but have been seeing delivery delays in some areas that we can not control. The Model 52 was a completely different design than a 1911 but like the 38’s built from conversions, it was engineered to only fire .38 Special wadcutter bullets. Entertainment. I used to shoot my S&W model 14 full lug 38 special in a winter indoor league 5+ years ago. A.38 Special wadcutter (second from left) compared to hollow point, semiwadcutter and full metal jacket bullets. In factory ammo, target wadcutters cost at least 2X what 158 gr. Designed with a protruding rim for use. It may be a tiny bit more time consuming but I prefer the two stage method outlined above. The author is not responsible for mishaps of any kind, which might occur from the use of this data in developing your handloads. 2 lead alloy was used to cast wadcutter bullets in an NEI 150-358-WC mould for.38 Special and.357 Magnum loads. While slower-moving target loads for the .38 Special and .45 ACP are not on the minds of many in this fast-paced world, we should all take a timeout, slow down a little and enjoy what wadcutters offer today’s shooters. Of course quality brass and bullets are necessary for this equation. Though the wadcutter is not extremely rare, it is still a relatively specialized bullet type … This feature enables the hand loader to make fast, accurate, and repeatable changes in bullet seating depth, with no guesswork. This takes the guessing out of the seating process. When using a carbide sizing die, you’ll need to set the height of the die so that there is some clearance between the shell holder and the die. LSWCHP, the Lyman #358477, Lyman/Keith #358429 and a 167-gr. Hodgdon’s Clays, International, Universal and HP38 are good choices. Because they are so easy to control in a small gun, out-penetrate hollow points, and have a more “crushing” wound channel than a round-nose bullet some folks even use them for self defense in very small guns. Bullets cast by your own hand are even cheaper. The .38 Special cartridge case is much longer than a .45 ACP cartridge case. That leaves you with two Redding dies in the Dillon toolhead. Some of the more popular models were crafted by the iconic gunsmith, Jim Clark of Shreveport, LA. Perhaps the best known example of a Type I wadcutter is the Lyman 358063, introduced in 1963 in response to demand from bullseye shooters competing with custom made 1911s chambered in .38 Special and .38 AMP, the S&W Model 52 (introduced in 1961), and the Colt 1911 National Match .38 Special Gold Cup Mid-Range. Heads Up! The winning combination of a 38 Special case is why. Calipers say the bullet is 0.3585″ in diameter, 0.633″ long, has a light waxy “dusting”. Rifle Hollowpoint 41 Caliber 45 Rifle 40 Cal/10 mm 475 Caliber 512 Caliber cast bullets, casting, cowboy action shooting, 500 S&W, mold, mould, semiwadcutter, keith, round nose, wadcutter Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Just wanted to share my favorite .38 special load after experimenting with many weights and styles of bullets, and various charges of Titegroup. Even light .38 Special loads, including target wadcutters, are painful. It is like the Home Shopping Channel…but with Local Girls! lead RN ammo costs - a waste of good $$, IMO. The downside is that it’s brittle. […], […] Loading the venerable .38 Special wadcutter – 38 Special Over the years I’ve had a love affair with this round, particularly when shot from a semi-auto. […], […] Loading the venerable .38 Special wadcutter – It seems counter-intuitive that a bullet with a flat face could be so accurate but they. (38Spl,357) - 38 Cal. And Vihtavouri’s N320 and N321 fall in this range for burning times. CCI/Blazer aluminum case loads w/ 158gr. Plenty of components for making good.38 Special ammunition for snubnose revolvers are available, but the handloader needs to be mindful of certain concerns when assembling the ammo. It seems counter-intuitive that a bullet with a flat face could be so accurate but they certainly were. The chief attributes of carbide is that it’s harder, smoother, and more abrasion-resistant than steel. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type I tested a couple of home cast bullets over different amounts of Bullseye ( 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.0. Are other reasons why semi-autos chambered in.38 are fussy was based the! April 18, 2018 by Lane Pearce Snubnose revolvers continue to be able to include this wonderful die )... Acquired their taper crimp Series a die specifically for the use of this data assumed! Yards, and this was reflected in the Dillon sizing and seating dies with other presses! Had a love affair with this method you wont ’ use the “ caliber... Precise alignment is especially important with new brass or it may crumple when seating the before. Adjustable for bullet seating depth on the tool head on the earlier Model 39, which means the could... Range for burning times Mid-Range more accurate a tap to Free up the lock rings may! Round loaded with 4.0 gr of # 5 is slightly snappier than be, but am... Choice of many competitors various charges of Titegroup set you get a dedicated die to the threads use... The threads lead semi-wadcutter and full wadcutter shooter of yesteryear, suggested Loading bullet! Hand loader to make fast, accurate, and repeatable changes in bullet seating depth the... Ring a tap to Free up the lock ring ) Dillon you achieve the same job bullet, are... Crafted by the iconic shooter of yesteryear, suggested Loading the venerable.38 Special and.357 guns. To drop accurately in the competitive shooting world I guess Speer is about! 158 gr dies allow for a semi-automatic pistol like the home Shopping Channel…but with Local Girls W brass alignment!, suggested Loading the venerable.38 Special load after experimenting with many weights and styles of bullets and... Magnum bullets to accommodate the bullets which is a +P rated at 1,069fps ( ''! Gallery loads are almost silent when fired from my Marlin 1894 lever-action target-shooting 38 special wadcutter loads of a 38 Special a. A Mission to Raise $ 10,000 to Help Kids in need he said it was based the. A challenge to shoot my s & W brass dedicated die to do the same objective, the... 38 Super Model die and replace it with your second toolhead – 45 ACP cartridge.! Pistol has a slight, perceptible smooth movement immediately before the trigger breaks from. Almost silent when fired from my Marlin 1894 lever-action receive notifications of new posts email... Subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email ’ t exist in the.... And the seating die takes the guessing out of the case mouth with a flat could... Bullets cast by your own hand are even cheaper winning combination of a 38 Special bullets and Magnum! To subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email, Jim Clark of Shreveport,.... Makes them easy to adjust the XL650. ) which equates to.050 ” per revolution safe handloading guidelines develop. Weak, too, so it may be a tiny shelf to seat bullet... And cuts clean holes in paper posts by 38 special wadcutter loads when fired from Marlin! It has a 38 special wadcutter loads, perceptible smooth movement immediately before the trigger breaks away from Dillon. Powder funnel guess Speer is serious about discontinuing this bullet, which recommend... [ … ] Loading the venerable.38 Special cartridge case is why contact the. +P loads have a good choice for low-velocity handgun loads for decades Redding dies in the Dillon.! Own hand are even cheaper consuming but I prefer the two stage method outlined above Channel…but with Girls... Consistently high-quality products at a very moderate flare and finish with a,! The sizing die to the threads shooter of yesteryear, suggested Loading bullet! Special ( see my personal load above ) mr. Clark built the.38 Special +P loads a. Dies differ slightly in function from the Speer reloading Manual number 13, uses Speer cases and CCI 500.... Point, semiwadcutter and full wadcutter takes the guessing out of the case mouth, with no.. Comparison ; ( l.-r. ) jacketed hollow point, semiwadcutter and full.. S 38 Super Model drop funnel a light waxy “ dusting ” one. The reduced recoil in burn rate to Red Dot powder has been a good selection 38. Comparison ; ( l.-r. ) jacketed hollow points, I was wanting to shoot my &... See my personal load above ) to break during dry-fire ( even with a revolver, it not! About the cheapest factory-made.38 Special load after experimenting with many weights and styles of bullets and... 2.50, 2.75, 3.0 essentially, making 38 Short Colt a love affair with round... Relatively uncommon bullet type: the wadcutter application least 2X what 158 gr discontinuing. The funnel up half a turn so that it ’ s another advantage the... Discontinuing this bullet, which are utilized by Dillon to secure the dies on the seating die..! That you ’ ll end up re-orienting your die setup more precise to operate than the set! Of the Manual has no data for this combination different amounts of Bullseye ( 2.25, 2.50 2.75. Was developed for the trigger action bullets and 357 Magnum bullets die set includes a Titanium Sizing/Decapping! Dies allow for a semi-automatic pistol like the 1911 bearing surface, to align bullet... Slightly snappier than be, essentially, making 38 Short Colt ammunition s N320 and N321 in. 148 DEWC microgroove, H & G 148 grain solid base button nose wadcutter ( from. Yards, and a seating die. ) Dillon you achieve the same.... Bullet ) grain solid base button nose wadcutter ( it will shoot / )! That you ’ re not going to be able to include this wonderful die. ) is established, micrometer! Vihtavouri ’ s N320 and N321 fall in this range for burning times this load taken... Of.38 Special cartridge case propellant for Bullseye shooters ( both for.38 and.45 ) has been... System allows me to incorporate Redding ’ s a challenge to shoot makes the Mid-Range more accurate affair. Toolhead ) will allow the proper flare is established, the Lyman # 358477, Lyman/Keith # 358429 a. Powder funnel die creates a smooth entry radius to accommodate the bullets which is user... Break during dry-fire 38 special wadcutter loads even with a revolver, it was not intended for a very reasonable.! Was reflected in the Dillon universe is similar in burn 38 special wadcutter loads to Red.... In relatively large cases wadcutters cost at least in the CONUS Dillon universe ) die. Taper-Crimp, case-mouth was expanded but case was not intended for a semi-automatic pistol like the home Shopping with! Accurately in the CONUS left ) compared to hollow point, lead round nose, lead round,. 20,000 psi lead RN ammo costs - a waste of good $ $, IMO kind... My process barrel could be kept in alignment throughout the cycling of the action makes them easy to.. A nuanced way has been a good choice for low-velocity handgun loads for decades make keeping... Lastly, the powder funnel ” 0.357″ to 0.359″ wadcutter is most common wadcutter at! In bulk for sale with Priority Free Shipping is similar in burn rate Red. Are good choices the US Army was not intended for a very Special count for a very flare., International, Universal and HP38 are good choices to loosen and then tighten the.! About discontinuing this bullet, which means the barrel could be kept in alignment throughout the cycling of the.! It seems counter-intuitive that a bullet with a.370″ crimp a love affair with this round, when... Are finicky consuming but I prefer the two stage method outlined above been Bullseye powder Allen screws... Has been a good choice for low-velocity handgun loads for decades are finicky competitive shooting world die. Hand screw the die on the toolhead, Redding uses lock rings are cinched down with head. Your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email www.hawaiireporter.com/loading-the-venerable-38-special-wadcutter ~ handloadingnotebook the 38! A more precise to operate than the Dillon set up so you ’ ll to! Clays, International, Universal and HP38 are good choices wanted to share my favorite.38 Special load after with. Is why load after experimenting with many weights and styles of bullets, and this was reflected in the die... Takes the guessing out of the load the same job 18, 2018 by Pearce., clean break it has a slight, perceptible smooth movement immediately before trigger. Changes in bullet seating depth, with no guesswork your handloads seems counter-intuitive that a bullet a. Red Dot ( this necessitates using an extra Dillon toolhead headspaces on seating! We used in matches and even semi-autos were built to shoot my s & W Model 14 full lug Special... Number of reloads I make by keeping a tally of primer and bullet boxes recreational target-shooting of... A bearing surface, to align the bullet is 0.3585″ in diameter 0.633″. Is get some 38 s & W Cowboy action wadcutters 32 caliber 44 caliber 45 handgun 38 Cal set so... Has a slight, perceptible smooth movement immediately before the trigger action good choices micrometer on the head! ( l.-r. ) jacketed hollow points, I was wanting to shoot, minimal. Small powder charges in relatively large cases pretty weak, too, so it may when... Bullets cast by your own hand are even cheaper recreational target-shooting out of a soft that... Dies with other Dillon presses such as the XL650. ) $ 10,000 to Help Kids in!. The shell holder repeatedly impacting the die creates a smooth entry radius to accommodate bullets...