38 Special HBWC vs DEWC

DaveTNC

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I've been reading up about wadcutters and keep coming across "the classic load of a 148gr HBWC over 2.7 (or 2.8) grains of Bullseye." that used to be so popular and have been wanting to try it.

I don't have any Hollow Base wadcutters, but do have a bunch of 148gr DEWCs (coated) and was wondering if the "Classic" Bullseye charge would work the same with them. I'm thinking the hollow base would make for a little more case volume, but I think I read somewhere that the HBWC may be longer than the DEWC, which would negate that. But I'm not sure of the source or how accurate that is. I don't have any HBWCs to measure to verify that. And I'm not sure how the coating would affect it, either.

Figured someone in this group probably has the answer.

(I've been loading the coated DEWCs over about 3.2 grains of 231, and they work fine for my plinking, but would like to try this "Classic Load" I read so much about.)
 
Well it depends on how you define “work.” They’ll go bang, and they won’t go kaboom, but the only way to know if they’ll be accurate is to shoot them.

HBWC will be slightly longer than DEWC, but not material unless you want to push max.

Coated and plated should be loaded using cast bullet load data. Both are relatively soft while jacketed bullets are quite a bit harder.
 
Just thinking off the top of my head here. If the top of the HBWC and DEWC bullets are both flat, both seated to the same OAL, and both bullets have the same density and weight, then the internal case volume with the bullets seated should be the same. The "skirt" of the HBWC will sit deeper in the case, but it is hollow. JMHO

But, as always, start low and work up.
 
That does not apply to all bullets all the time. There is a lot more involved than just weight.
I did not mean to imply that it does, sir. I was referring to Berry's DEWC as per the link.
Thanks for clarifying that for me.

regards
Elmer
 
Just thinking off the top of my head here. If the top of the HBWC and DEWC bullets are both flat, both seated to the same OAL, and both bullets have the same density and weight, then the internal case volume with the bullets seated should be the same. The "skirt" of the HBWC will sit deeper in the case, but it is hollow. JMHO

But, as always, start low and work up.

This is what I was thinking, too, the difference in length is offset by the hollow cavity in the base, making the case volume roughly the same. At least close enough for what I want them for.

I also read an interesting article about wadcutters by Ed Harris and he says he uses .4 or .5 grains more of Bullseye when using cast DEWCs rather than swaged HBWCs.

Guess I'll load some of each and see what I like.

Thanks for the replies, everybody.
 
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