Pet loads

M

Micro man

New member
Just had a box of Berry plated bullets delivered today and wanted to get some input before I started to reload them. They are 38cal. 148 grain DEWC and plan on using either Bullseye or Unique to power them.
I wanted to see what pet loads members like before I start. I plan on punching holes in paper with them and prefer something on the mild side since I may be shooting sometimes with my Ruger snub nose.
Thanks
Micro man
 
Bullseye, W-231, HP-38 or Titegroup would all work fine for that application. Check loading manuals for data, or powder company websites. The old universal .38 Spec. target load was 2.7 gr of Bullseye and a 148 gr HBWC bullet. Alliant says you can go up to 3.1 gr with Bullseye.
Hodgdon lists W-231/HP-38 with loads from 3.5 to 4.0 gr and Titegroup runs from 2.7 gr to 3.3 gr. I usually run 3.0 gr of Titegroup or 2.7 gr of Bullseye with that bullet weight, although mine are cast lead, not plated.
YMMV. Start low and work up carefully.
 
A pet load for a plated bullet wadcutter? Really?
Bullseye will be better than Unique, unless you plan to load near max loads.
I tried some DEWCs about 7 years ago and they grouped about as well at 25 yards as my 12ga with a cylinder choke. I hope you get better results.
 
While they say (once said?) lead data for plated, light lead should be approached with caution. I usually start at light jacketed. YMMV.
 
I load and shoot a ton of plated DEWC's. But I use Rainier. Rainier is a flat base. I think Berry's DEWC's have a slightly hollowed out base. May make a slight difference.

With mine, I use Nitro 100 and V-V N-310. But I have done work ups using Bullseye. I load to IDPA Power Factor; which equates to 710 f/s (I actually aim for 725 f/s so I know I'm good to go for competition). This is a pretty soft round and probably fits your purpose.

With Bullseye, I load to 3.2 grains. But I also load to an OAL of 1.240" - the same as a lead DEWC with a crimp groove. So I don't seat quite flush. That same lead bullet BTW, only needs 2.9 grains of Bullseye to achieve the same 725 f/s - with all else being equal. This points to the fact that plated bullets have more barrel friction.

As for accuracy: They seem to be tack-driver accurate - just like their lead counterparts. It's been my experience, btw, that with 38 Special target rounds, accuracy is mostly the function of the bullet; and powder selection and charge weight has little to do with accuracy. As long as the bullet is the right diameter, they generally go pretty straight.
 
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