I expect the WC information would work just fine.

All wad cutters are generally seated just a little below the case mouth for a couple of reasons

There is often no groove for crimping on the bullet. Seat a couple of thousands or so below the mouth and then crimp over the bullet.

Wadcutters were developed for target shooting with very ligh charges. By seating the bullet all the way in the case you effectively reduce case capacity which should, in theory, result in more consistent performance. Of course, you also raise presures by doing so which is another reason wad cutters are normally used with light loads.

 

Yep..can use existing 148gr. solid base wad cutter data. The doube ended version is handy for automatic bullet feeding systems...doesn't make any difference which way is "up".

 

Speer Manual #13 has several listings:

Red Dot - 3.0 grs max for 806 fps
231 - 3.3 grs max for 804 fps
HP-38 - 3.2 grs max for 801 fps
Bullseye - 3.1 grs max for 799 fps
700X - 2.9 grs max for 791 fps
AA #2 - 3.1 grs max for 789 fps

They also say that the bullet should be seated flush with the case mouth.

Good luck.

rt

 

I cast some DEWCs with a Lyman 35863 mold. I use 3.1 grains of W231, or 2.7 grains of Bullseye. These are classic Bullseye Shooter loads.

 

You should have no problems using any of the 148 gr. lead WC loading data found in the manuals for your DEWCs. Next time, try some swaged 148 gr. hollow based wadcutters. The hollow base expands slightly when the cartridge ignites and fills the bore for a better fit and best accuracy. For years, the most popular .38 Special match load in bullseye shooting was 2.7 gr. Bullseye and the HBWC. Increase this load about half a grain for .357 magnum cases. This load will shoot very accurately up to 50 yards. Seat your bullets flush with or a few thousandth below the case mouth followed by a very light crimp - just enough to take the bell out of the expanded case mouth. Some reloaders prefer to crimp in the seater die just enough to remove the bell and leave the case walls straight. Since you are beginning to load this cartridge, seating is referenced on the bullet's shoulder - not on the raised bump. I mention this because cast bullet moulds tend to place the bump above the shoulder. This is a very pleasant bullet to shoot. It is very accurate, has light recoil, and is relatively inexpensive to load. A pound of powder goes a long way. I have shot thousands of rounds of this cartridge in bullseye shooting and it's where I started my wife in center-fire shooting. Good luck and shoot safely!

 

Dewc

You should have no problems using any of the 148 gr. lead WC loading data found in the manuals for your DEWCs. Next time, try some swaged 148 gr. hollow based wadcutters. The hollow base expands slightly when the cartridge ignites and fills the bore for a better fit and best accuracy. For years, the most popular .38 Special match load in bullseye shooting was 2.7 gr. Bullseye and the HBWC. Increase this load about half a grain for .357 magnum cases. This load will shoot very accurately up to 50 yards. Seat your bullets flush with or a few thousandth below the case mouth followed by a very light crimp - just enough to take the bell out of the expanded case mouth. Some reloaders prefer to crimp in the seater die just enough to remove the bell and leave the case walls straight. Since you are beginning to load this cartridge, seating is referenced on the bullet's shoulder - not on the raised bump. I mention this because cast bullet moulds tend to place the bump above the shoulder. This is a very pleasant bullet to shoot. It is very accurate, has light recoil, and is relatively inexpensive to load. A pound of powder goes a long way. I have shot thousands of rounds of this cartridge in bullseye shooting and it's where I started my wife in center-fire shooting. Good luck and shoot safely!

Thanks for all the info. I loaded em and shot em. I think I will try the hollow based ones next.