Wadcutters tumbling?

[rperyam]

At the range yesterday and decided to end the session with my 442 S&W. I had a couple of dozen 148 grain wadcutters with 2.8 grains of Bullseye in my bag so I pulled them out and loaded up. I was shooting at 7 yards at 3x3” Post-its, I was out of my 2x2”s. I noticed the holes seemed a little different so I brought the target in to examine it closer. There were the normal small round holes from the bullets, but two were cigar shaped. On closer examination I realized they were a perfect match for the bullet going in sideways. I’ve not noticed anything unusual with either this gun or this load. Why would they tumble at this short distance? Any thoughts?

 

[Jim Watson]

Inadequate obturation. Too low velocity even with common target load in short barrel. Flimsy paper hole looking like keyhole. All my guesses.

 

[rperyam]

Thanks but the Post-its are stuck to the back of a target taped to a cardboard backing.

 

[Jim Watson]

OK, that is one out of three possibilities.
Try more powder. Speer's maximum for a hollow base wadcutter is 3.1 grains of Bullseye. If yours is a solid, you can go even higher.

 

[trackskippy]

If 3.1 of Bullseye is max, I kind of doubt 2.8 is too light.

If you have some left, Id pull one and see what they measure. Sounds like they might be undersized.

Do you load wadcutters of another caliber? Mix up maybe?

Hows the barrel on your 442? Not leaded up is it?

 

[P5 Guy]

What BHN are those wad cutters?

 

[rperyam]

These wadcutters are DEWC-BB from Missouri Bullet Company, measure .358 and have a Brinell of 12. The bore is clean with no leading visible or coming off on patches run through it. These are the only wadcutters I shoot. I have reloaded this particular load for the last 37 years, usually shot in my model 10 or 15. Any other thoughts?

 

[kidneyboy]

If you haven't shot these out of the 442 before I'd guess that particular bullet isn't a good match for that particular barrel.

 

[OS/N]

It would really have to be a weak load to tumble at that range. I might clock and see what they are doing. Can you see them in flight.

 

[LV Gun]

These wadcutters are DEWC-BB from Missouri Bullet Company, measure .358 and have a Brinell of 12. The bore is clean with no leading visible or coming off on patches run through it. These are the only wadcutters I shoot. I have reloaded this particular load for the last 37 years, usually shot in my model 10 or 15. Any other thoughts?

I use the MBC wad cutter with the same load you are , the load is fine I shoot them out of a S&W 14-2 6 inch barrel once in a while they just tumble they are not very aerodynamic which I think has something to do with it. Also I find if I don’t put a light to medium crimp on them that can make them tumble. I much prefer Precision Delta’s HBWC they just plain shoot better and are very accurate but are not always in stock I have started buying 2000 at a time now for that reason.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Tumbling from lack of velocity combined with a long for its weight bullet and low twist rate. Not enough RPMs.
I used to shoot a lot of factory WCs, all were stable @25 yards, some tumbled at 50.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Disregard

 

[Pat Riot]

I shoot HBWC Bear Creek Supply moly coated bullets over 2.8 grains of Bullseye from my S&W 442, my 36-2, my 10-7 and 19-4 and I never have seen tumblers. I used to shoot BCS’ DEWC bullets with that powder load too. Never any sideways hits. I normally shoot at 10 yards.

Do you think maybe your powder measure is kicking out light loads?

As an aside I also load 148 grain HBWC bullets over 2.6 grains of W244. Sweet load.

 

[Riomouse911]

My 1990’s vintage Lee powder measure started throwing odd light charges last year. Using an tended 2.8 gr Bullseye charge, I stuck a DEWC in a 6” barrel as one of the symptoms. It may be that your measure is throwing light charges, too.

Only other guess is too tight chamber mouth(s) on the cylinder or an oversized bore not stabilizing thr bullet well. (Of these two, I think the former may be it.)

I hope you find the issue

Stay safe.

 

[OS/N]

In general a HBWC will size itself to the bore - even way oversized bores like using a 358 bullet in a 36/375 ball and cap revolver.

Might check the bore for leading - that can cause similar results. Make sure you are using a proper lube if you have leading issues. Lead up the barrel will effect accuracy, bullet speed, and may even cause key holeing at close range.

 

[Leon tP]

Is there a picture of the load you're using? It might be helpful.

 

[.38 Special]

Wadcutters aren't very stable. Especially with light loads, tumbling is to be expected beyond some distance. For example, I used to shoot Hornady HBWCs in front of 2.7 grains of Bullseye out of a 6" PPC gun, and holes would just start going oval at 50 yards. By 75, they were full-on keyholes.

My money is that your 2" barrel simply isn't getting the bullets to spin fast enough, and you'll need to bump up the velocity for better results.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Ideas;
1. Check your cylinder throats. You may have two that are either under or over sized.
2. Check the cylinder timing. You may not be locking up before the hammer drops.
3. Components matching.
-are you using mixed headstamp brass?
-are you roll crimping?
-are you using a Lee Factory crimp die.
If you are, stop.
I use matching cases, taper crimping and NOT using a LEE FCD, then you have a gun problem.
I use the same load, my PPC revolver shoots 2” @50yds. My 2” Taurus 856 and 1-7/8” S&W 642 shoot bottle cap groups at 7yds, at POA. I cast my own bullets, and powder coat. Alloy is W/W and range scrap.