S&W 52 with full Wadcutters

[chiltech500]

Can I use the same weights of powder I was using for my 38sp revolver with the S&W 52?

I read somewhere about low speed rounds in the range of 500fps but don't know if that's required or just used as a way to minimize recoil in NRA Bullseye pistol.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sunray]

Different hand gun so you'll have to work up the load again, but with the same components. However, it wouldn't hurt to try the load you have now. It's not going to hurt your fancy new pistol. Depends on your load whether it'll cycle the action or not.
500 fps may be too slow. Max is 3.1 of Bullseye for 799 fps out of a 6" barrel. Standard is 2.5 to 2.8 grains of Bullseye with a 148 grain WC.

 

[ljnowell]

I shoot a 52 occasionally in bullseye competition. It's very accurate with the same loads I use in my revolver. Just be sure that you have a decent crimp to help with feeding.

 

[chiltech500]

LJ thanks. I'm using Titegroup 2.5 with a DEWC. My wadcutter is sunk so the crimp is at first flat point of the DEWC.

Is that what you used or did you use the bullet with the little nipple that sticks out? I believe it's an H&G clone.

 

[ljnowell]

I use the Missouri Bullet DEWC seated pretty much perfectly flush with the case roll crimped on the bevel at the top for the 52. Otherwise I use a zero HBWC seated flush with a slight roll crimp. I can see if I can grab a picture if you want. I don't have the greatest camera but I can try.

 

[GooseGestapo]

You'll need to use at least 2.5gr of Bullseye to ensure proper function of Mod-52.
2.7 is the long time standard load for hollow base wadcutters. I prefer 2.8-3.1 with bevel base wadcutters.
Seat flush and crimp at least lightly for good function/feed with Mod-52.

 

[chiltech500]

It's good to hear flush is OK with the DEWC's. I wonder what the benefit is of crimping on the taper vs the straight portion after it? Is it because seating as deeply as possible gives a greater bearing surface?

Thanks for your help. I believe 2.5 to 2.7 Titegroup is a slightly more stout load than Bullseye equivalent. My Lymans shows Titegroup the most accurate but I don't remember at what pressure/fps.

 

[Rule3]

Here is a good thread from the SW forum on loading for the M 52. I only use DEWC in mine.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/102788-model-52-loads.html

 

[noylj]

Same loads. Like with revolvers and L-HBWC, don't exceed 800 fps or the skirt can separate from the rest of the bullet.
Remington 148gn L-HBWCs are both the least expensive and most accurate bullets I have found in my M52s.

 

[ljnowell]

Same loads. Like with revolvers and L-HBWC, don't exceed 800 fps or the skirt can separate from the rest of the bullet.
Remington 148gn L-HBWCs are both the least expensive and most accurate bullets I have found in my M52s.

I haven't seen them in stock for a long time. I gave up and switched to Zero. It's a better bullet all the way around.

 

[gwpercle]

I have a reloading manual with a section devoted to loading for the model 52, they used a Speer hollow based wadcutter 148 grain, no data was shown for Tightgroup (didn't exist then) the powders used were Red Dot, 700X, 230-P, and Bullseye. With velocities of 736, 763, 713, and 724.
These velocities gave the best accuracy and reliable functioning.
Find a load with Tightgroup that gives around 725 to 750 fps and start there.
Accuracy is important but reliable feeding and ejecting is important also.
Don't try and hot rod this fine target gun, save that foe the revolvers.

Gary

 

[ljnowell]

I have a reloading manual with a section devoted to loading for the model 52, they used a Speer hollow based wadcutter 148 grain, no data was shown for Tightgroup (didn't exist then) the powders used were Red Dot, 700X, 230-P, and Bullseye. With velocities of 736, 763, 713, and 724.

These velocities gave the best accuracy and reliable functioning.

Find a load with Tightgroup that gives around 725 to 750 fps and start there.

Accuracy is important but reliable feeding and ejecting is important also.

Don't try and hot rod this fine target gun, save that foe the revolvers.



Gary

I've seen those sections. I use a powder that isn't recommended in those, but provides fantastic accuracy. AA#2 doesn't get the respect it deserves as a powder for wadcutter loads.

 

[Powderman]

I use 3.2 of HP38 under a Hornady 148 gr. HBWC in my M52. I seat a little under flush, and use a gentle roll crimp over the front radius of the bullet. Very accurate load--and since mine has a slide-mounted Ultra-Dot, it's a joy to shoot.

 

[chiltech500]

Wow thanks for all the I nformaton. Have 1.5k DEWC to use yet, how much difference between the HB and plain WC's?

 

[Jim Watson]

If you have that many, I guess you will soon find out and be able to tell us.

 

[bluetopper]

Only the best bullseye shooters in the country or a ransom rest can tell any difference.

In the model 52, just use HBWC data even if you're using DEWC bullets and even though that data is a good bit below 38 Special max pressure.

The 52 was not meant to hot rod at all. It was strictly a target gun from the factory.

 

[ljnowell]

Only the best bullseye shooters in the country or a ransom rest can tell any difference.



In the model 52, just use HBWC data even if you're using DEWC bullets and even though that data is a good bit below 38 Special max pressure.



The 52 was not meant to hot rod at all. It was strictly a target gun from the factory.

I don't think I'm one of the best in the country, though I do shoot a lot of them in competition. I can tell a difference in accuracy between cast DEWC and HBWC.

 

[Richard Head]

Off topic but I shot full wadcutters with my Tokarev, but I had an occasional ftf so I didn't pursue it any longer. They were very accurate though.

 

[loadedround]

I shot bullseye for many years and used a S&W 52-2 as my CF pistol. The standard load then was a 148 gr HBWC seated flush over 2.7 gr of Bullseye. That was the same load that some of the bullseye shooters were using in their S&W K38 and Colt revolvers. If I were still shooting these days, I would use the equivalent load with WW 231 powder.

 

[Rule3]

I use Hornady DEWC as Remingtons are not to be found. I see no difference between the 2 bullets and if Rem doesn't want to sell them then so be it.

 

[ljnowell]

I use Hornady DEWC as Remingtons are not to be found. I see no difference between the 2 bullets and if Rem doesn't want to sell them then so be it.

Have you ever tried the Zero brand?

 

[Kp321]

I got a couple of boxes of WW yellow box HBWC ammo with my 52 when I purchased it. That ammo is supposed to deliver the pistol's best performance. I can't tell any difference in the accuracy of the factory ammo and my reloads using DEWC's over 2.9 BE.

 

[rcmodel]

Just always remember.

The Model 52 is not a Magnum!

NEVER EVER try to load it hotter then light target .38 Special performance level it was designed for.

rc

 

[Rule3]

Have you ever tried the Zero brand?

No never have I bought a lot of the Hornadys, not a gun I shoot a lot. More of a safe Queen, but take it out for exercise every so often. Even has it's own special Remington brass. Probably the only handgun brass I ever trimmed.

 

[chiltech500]

Great info.

So it was/is common to load dewc flush -
with a slight roll crimp vs little bit heavier?

I was shooting target loads from my K38-3 Titegroup 2.5 gr with a bit of bullet exposed just to the start of the straight so it was roll crimped to the straight part vs the taper. Sounds like it is quite ok to roll crimp on the taper.

I have used Dardas or MBC for DEWC, I prefer Dardas because they are a cleaner mold. Have heard many great reviews of Zero on the Bullseye boards.