Starline cases for 38 Model 52

One of the enjoyable suggestions made to a question I posted several weeks ago, was to buy new Starline brass for 45 ACP.
It cycles so smoothly through my RCBS Pro2000 press, and for reasons I don't understand, it is even smoother the second time around.

I expect to put away my 1911 for a while once it's working the way I like it, assuming I'm shooting it OK, and start shooting my Model 52 for a while.  

Should I give away my old brass, and just buy several hundred cases of Starline?  

(In addition to lots of used cases, I currently have several hundreds of rounds from several manufacturers of good ammo to shoot in the Model 52, but I like the idea of shooting my own reloads again.)


Second question - the only powder I have used in the past is Bullseye.  Because it meters more consistently in the RCBS Pro2000 powder measure, and because of good recommendations here, I switched to WST powder, which isn't so "dirty".  Any recommendations for what powder load?  Bullets will be Terry's "Magnus #515".

OOPS, MISTAKE - I MEANT Magnus #514, not #515 !!!!!!!!!!!


INCORRECT PHOTO DELETED

Those bullets will not work in a model 52. You have to use flush-seated wadcutters...........

Yep HBWC.. i much prefer the older Rem wadcutter cases. WW also

I've used Magnus, Zero, and Bear Creek, but now waiting on some "undersized- (0.356") from Penn. Hollow base wadcutters, 148g, of course.
Doubt if you'll see a large difference in performance among the major brass manufacturers, but purists insist on reloading only one manufacturer.

Another thought is to mainly train on 50 yd targets with the 52. That's where the real challenge is. Once you get that mastered, you'll be counting X's on the 25 yd targets!

jwax wrote:
Another thought is to mainly train on 50 yd targets with the 52. That's where the real challenge is. Once you get that mastered, you'll be counting X's on the 25 yd targets!

Mastering 50....There’s the rub.  

I did a dimensional survey of the wall thickness of 38 special brass to determine if there was “Special” brass used in Wadcutter ammunition.  Based on my findings the answer is NO.  But I also determined which makes and models had straight case walls long enough to seat wadcutter bullets.  The longest was Federal at .714.inch.  One thing to keep in mind is the wall thickness.  The thicker the wall the more resistance to releasing the bullet.  One other thing, I shot 5 consecutive 10s one session with some Speer HBWC over 2.6 BE that were loaded in nickel plated WCC +P+ cases.  So I’m not sure that there’s all that much credence to the damage caused by brass on the HBWC bullet.  

ric1911a1 wrote:Those bullets will not work in a model 52. You have to use flush-seated wadcutters...........

+1 515 will NOT work you must use a full Wad Cutter:

Magnus
38/357 Caliber 148 gr-HBWC SWAGED LEAD-NO 514- stock 
or 
38/357 cal-148 gr-DEWC-NO. 501 - I've never had any luck with Double End Wad Cutters

I bought Starline brass for reloads but didn't see much difference from the WW brass I had.


My preference - Precision Delta
https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/38-cal-148gr-hbwc/



- Dave

I should think before I post - I've got 2,500 of Magnus #514.
It's been so long I lost track of the Magnus part number.  Sorry.

dronning wrote:.....I bought Starline brass for reloads but didn't see much difference from the WW brass I had......

- Dave

Dave, are you suggesting the Starline cases would work fine, or should I be trying to find something else?

Also, now that we're discussing the correct bullets, any suggestions for how much WST for loading?



50 yards, huh?   I guess it's good exercise for me.
Sure, I'll go for it.   :-)

I sort out my WC brass from regular brass.  Some of my loads with Bear Creek bullets in CBC brass won't reliably chamber in my 1911, the same bullets in old nickeled Western WC brass chamber and shoot fine.

I wouldn't dump my old brass if they're still serviceable.  At the same time, I would love to have a good quantity of new brass for load development.

Years ago shooting PPC this was a solid load.
Might work

2.6 OR 2.7 GR WST WITH 148GR HBWC.
MINE MEASURE 2.64 OR 26.4 WHEN MEASURING 10 DROPS AT ONCE. JP

I use 2.7 WST

Starline is great brass no need to look for anything else. I'ts always nice to start with new "never been abused" brass.  I wasn't suggesting another option - it was just an observation.
- Dave

OK, finished.

I'll buy new Starline 38 brass, and while I'm at it, I'll get some more 45 acp.

Load will be set at 2.7 grains WST.

Thank you all!!

(I tried out my older, stock, not-repaired, Model 52 today with Zero ammo.  Took a while to re-sight in the gun, and get used to it, but it worked fine. My grouping, such as it was, doubled in size when I tried to grip it "hard", rather than "firm".  Next time I'll try the other gun.  No longer sure which I shoot better with, open sights with sub-6o'clock hold, or a dot.  Will be interesting.  All else being even, I think I "enjoy" open sights more than a dot.)

One final question, which I have no intention of actually doing.  Several people have suggested cutting the cases slightly shorter, but pressing in the bullets to get the proper length.  This leaves a little lead exposed.  Do the better shooters actually do this?  Curious.