•••44 cal WADCUTTERS•••?

[the Black Spot]

First is a Lyman 429348 185 gr.
2nd is a sorta new one from Matt’s bullets 200 gr.
Anyone compared these two styles in a shoot test. One more accurate than the other? Thanks in advance

 

[AJC1]

I think the lube Grove design may have the biggest impact. There is a lot of knowledge there I don't have.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Interesting. I usually stick with the 240gr LSWC myself. What would be the gain to these?

 

[Walkalong]

I'd go with the top one myself, but in all reality, I don't know if I could shoot the difference, I'd need a ransom rest to test it.

These Lee 208 Gr WCs that I used to cast were very accurate.

 

[cfullgraf]

I cast and shoot Saeco 944 44 cal, 200 gr, wadcutters in my 44 Special. It is similar to the Matt bullet having a wide grease groove and a crimping groove at the top.

They shoot well in my 44 Special revolvers.

 

[cfullgraf]

Interesting. I usually stick with the 240gr LSWC myself. What would be the gain to these?

I load wadcutters at a target or slightly higher level for my "XX" Special revolvers. It makes for nice, easy shooting ammunition for a day of plinking. They cut nice round holes in the targets.

I have moulds for 32, 38, 44, and 45 caliber wadcutters. (I need to get a 41 caliber wadcutter mould)

For 44 Magnum and 357 Magnum, I load semi-wadcutters loads at levels a bit higher than the Special levels for a bit more "oomph" but not at wrist snapping recoil levels. Nice loads that chamber a bit more easily for the quick follow up shots.

A semi-wadcutter bullet at similar velocities as the wadcutter loads would work just fine. It all depends on meeting your desired goals for your ammunition.

 

[the Black Spot]

I was thinking the top one would give less pressure?

 

[Archie]

I use the 250 grain full wadcutter from Matt's. In a well used but functional .44 Hand Ejector (I'm told the same model used by Elmer Keith in pioneering the .44 Magnum) as an alternate defense arm. I use Power Pistol propellent at less than maximal loads. Not a 'full' load, but not bashful, either. Accuracy is at least suitable for self defense; I've never worked with it at ranges of over 25 yards.

 

[the Black Spot]

Walkalong, I just found one of those lee 208wc molds. Can’t wait to use it!

 

[horsemen61]

I love shooting and casting waddcutters haven’t done it in sometime but man are they fun!

 

[Crosshair]

Walkalong, I just found one of those lee 208wc molds. Can’t wait to use it!

I just got one too. Will be interesting to try.

 

[Crosshair]

First is a Lyman 429348 185 gr.
2nd is a sorta new one from Matt’s bullets 200 gr.
Anyone compared these two styles in a shoot test. One more accurate than the other? Thanks in advance
View attachment 1089258 View attachment 1089259

The top one is designed to be loaded like a traditional SWC and not nearly flush with the case mouth like a WC. It will be easier to chamber, but leave more air space in the case. Depending on the powder used. Could be useful for hotter loads that need the space. Probably intended for lever guns that can't feed WC seated at the case mouth.

The bottom one is designed to be seated almost flush with the case mouth, a traditional WC.

The second one will be the safer bet for ultimate accuracy, but the first might be better for general purpose. It will likely come down to the individual gun.

 

[Walkalong]

Walkalong, I just found one of those lee 208wc molds. Can’t wait to use it!

I just got one too. Will be interesting to try.

700X............

 

[cfullgraf]

I've been using 700-X in my 44 Special wadcutter ammunition as well.

 

[Shivahasagun]

I have a .44 Special.

Do wadcutters require a special die or anything like that?

 

[Walkalong]

No

 

[Blue68f100]

Just a flat seating stem to seat the bullet.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Just a flat seating stem to seat the bullet.

Does the Lee set come with such a stem?

 

[cfullgraf]

Just a flat seating stem to seat the bullet.

A flat seating stem is helpful but not entirely necessarily.

One can be made by filling the cavity of pointed bullet stem to make a flat seating stem.

 

[Walkalong]

I welded up a Redding seater plug and machined it flat for my Redding Competition seater for .38/.357 Mag. I use it to seat everything from nearly flush WCs in .38 Spl to 158 Gr SWCs in .357 Mag, no round nose bullets.

 

[drband]

A flat seating stem is helpful but not entirely necessarily.

One can be made by filling the cavity of pointed bullet stem to make a flat seating stem.

Or by filing a RN seater stem flat. I did that to a Lee seater and it worked just fine.

 

[the Black Spot]

or slip a brass water hose cap over the bottom of the die, then crimp after you see the bullet seated where you want it

 

[the Black Spot]

got the Lee 429-208WC mold in. Cast a few from 1:20 and powder coated. Hope to load some soon

 

[Walkalong]

got the Lee 429-208WC mold in. Cast a few from 1:20 and powder coated. Hope to load some soon

View attachment 1090588

Gorgeous!

 

[PhatForrest]

Picked up a brass mold from Accurate, a 240gr type 3 wadcutter. They run great through revolvers and leverguns.

I love shooting wadcutters. I think I have all the old school designs Ideal and Lyman ever came out with for 38/357 too.