[Ed Harris]

.38 Wadcutters in .357

I use the Saeco 146-gr. double-bevel-based wadcutters as an all-purpose field bullet in both .38 Special and .357. It is very effective on groundhogs and wild turkey to 50 yards, but is less accurate than the Saeco #358 at longer ranges.

In .38 Special cases for a +P+ equivalent load which works well in a .357 Magnum or heavy-frame .38 Special 5.0 grs. of W-W 231 works well, for about 1000 f.p.s.

For sturdy .38 Special revolvers such as the Colt Official Police, Trooper and Detective Special you can use 4.5 grs. of W-W 231, PB or SR-7625, or 4.2 grs. of Bullseye for about 900 f.p.s. in 6" barrel.

In S&W the fragile K- and J frames or any light alloy frames such as the Colt Cobra or Agent I don't recommend over 4.2
grs. of W-W 231 or 3.5 grs. of Bullseye for about 850 f.p.s. in a 6" barrel or 800 in a 2-1/2 to 2-3/4"".

In .357 Magnum cases you can use 6 grs. of W-W 231, PB or or SR-7625, 12 grs. of #2400 or 14 grs. of 4227 for about 1150 f.p.s.

 

[Ed Harris]

Ogival Wadcutter

Yes, I would sure love to have one of those moulds in .357, alas I wasn't smart enough to order one from Veral when he was still in business. This is an old idea. Modern Bond had a very similar design in the 1930s, which is featured in Elmer Keith's book Sixguns.

Maybe if enough of us would politely ask the folks at Saeco-Redding they would offer it. I would surely like to have an ogival wadcutter in .38 Spl. - .357 which weighed about 170-175 grains, and another for the .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag or .32-20 weighing about 130 grs. I'd bet they'd sell alot of them in .44 Mag. and .45 Colt at around 270-280 grs.