DEWC loading data

[Texan Scott]

Ok, I'm trolling. I've been looking for load data for .357 DEWC, and can't find any anywhere. I can't even begin to fudge some lowball starting numbers because none of the manufacturer's/ open-source manuals I have give seating depths for the loads they do list, for case volume comparison. (Most of them don't reveal the length of their test bbl, either.)

Does anyone have data they'd like to share, or is there a secret society, old curmudgeons' club, or other obscure group of hardcore DEWC fans out there with a web page?

What I'm looking to do is load a .358 148-150gr DEWC (exact profile/ brand tbd) to speeds well below 1,000 fps (if i mold my own, they'll be soft lead, which i want in the target, not my rifling).

Any ideas/ suggestions are welcome, even if (maybe especially if) they consist of explaining to the newby exactly why/ how he's being an idiot.

 

[zxcvbob]

I load 148 grain DEWC's in .357 Magnum. I have a couple of loads, but they are both probably hotter than you want (especially the WSF load):

7.0 grains WSF, or
4.5 grains Red Dot

I crimp them in the bullet crimp grooves, so about 1/8" of the bullet is sticking out of the case. I think the OAL is about 1.35 or 1.36". If you seat them flush with the case mouths the pressure will go up and may not be safe.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I use 4.0 Universal with the Penn 148 DBBWC (DEWC) crimped in the groove. A mild load.

 

[bluetopper]

Experiment a little, use 0.5 to 1.0gr more powder than you find listed for a 38 case.
I'm a big fan of magnum loads also for DEWC bullets in 357 cases.

 

[rcmodel]

Load data here: (148 WC data, Not the 148 WC Target data)
http://glarp.atk.com/2004/2004Catalogs/2004AlliantPowderSM.pdf

rc

 

[kelbro]

A Google search for DEWC loads will show you hundreds of results using Bullseye powder. A .3 variance is about what you will find. The 38 special loads shoot fine in my 357 cases with another .2 grs of powder.

 

[murf]

i am currently shooting 148 grain hbwc out of my blackhawk. using 3.0 grains of bullseye and a cci 500 primer. 743 fps @ 12 ft., extreme spread is 30 fps. very accurate.

murf

 

[ranger335v]

"Any ideas/ suggestions are welcome, even if (maybe especially if) they consist of explaining to the newby exactly why/ how he's being an idiot.

To the extent you're being an "idiot" it's that you've logically accepted the BS suggesting you must exactly follow book component lists. That's not true, especially so for low pressure loads like what you're making. Use any data for any 148-150 gr bullet for the powder you use and go. If we had to have specific data for every bullet made there are a LOT of bullets we couldn't use!

Book OAL is nearly meaningless too, pick an OAL that works or looks good to you and use it, usually just seating the mouth at the crimp groove is fine. Book OAL is only what the book makers used to develop their data and it's no more a law for the rest of us than what their powder charges are.

Exception that matters is for hot loads in high pressure cartridges, (mostly full house 9 and 10 mm ammo) which are sensitive to combustion space so it's good to back the charge off a few tenths if you seat deeper/shorter for one of them, but that's all.

 

[ljnowell]

I load missouri Bullets 148gr DEWC over 3.5 gr of AA#2 in 357 cases. Great, accurate, etc. However, I got tired of using my 357 cases for that and started using the abundance of 38scpl cases I have. I find that 3.0gr of AA#2 is perfect in those.

 

[Steve C]

Loads for the .357 mag using solid base wad cutters. Use the faster powders like Red Dot or Bullseye for low velocity target with soft bullets and slower powder for higher .357 mag loads with hard bullets.

 

[Texan Scott]

WOW... a LOT of great responses... thanks, y'all!

 

[Beat-tu]

4 grains of HP-38. Use it in .38 special or .357

Tom