Seating FWC

[Ahgo]

I shoot 38's in a slow pistol league. I've always used SWC lead rounds and have had no problems. Recently I purchased FWC and am not sure how low to seat the bullet. I checked the OAL in my book, but that seems rather high for my bullet (one of the rings is not below the top of the casing). I've taken it down to where the top ring is below the top of the casing. Just want to make sure that I'm on the right track. Any loaders out that can give me some pointers?

 

[17 squirrel]

I seat all of my 38 special wadcutters flush with the end of the case.
I shoot automatics and if the bullet is not flush, they no workie.... To long.

 

[billybob44]

Seating of Full Wad Cutters....

As 17 said, seat to flush, or just a hair above flush with the case. If your projectile has a dimple, I seat with the dimple above the case.

I taper crimp these soft lead loads to avoid damage from a roll crimp.

The common weight of these is 148gr.

Also be aware of the difference between a Hollow Base Wad Cutter and a Bevel Base Wad Cutter.

A favorite load (Forever) has been with 2.8-2.9gr. Bullseye for the Hollow Base. 3.3-3.5gr. of Bullseye with the Bevel (Solid) Base.

You will note up to .7gr.difference in the charge between the two...Bill.

 

[noylj]

FWC = Full Wadcutter?
1) Factories have always loaded them just below flush with case mouth with slight roll crimp.
2) Some folks like to load longer and roll crimp in crimp (top) groove.
3) HBWCs should not be shot at over 800fps, and less is better

 

[SSGSAD]

As 17 said, seat to flush, or just a hair above flush with the case. If your projectile has a dimple, I seat with the dimple above the case.

I taper crimp these soft lead loads to avoid damage from a roll crimp.

The common weight of these is 148gr.

Also be aware of the difference between a Hollow Base Wad Cutter and a Bevel Base Wad Cutter.

A favorite load (Forever) has been with 2.8-2.9gr. Bullseye for the Hollow Base. 3.3-3.5gr. of Bullseye with the Bevel (Solid) Base.

You will note up to .7gr.difference in the charge between the two...Bill.

This, is the standard, for over 30 years .....

This is the exact same load I used, back in the late 70's, & early 80's .....

LOTS of fun .....