Loading for S&W model 52
3 posters
Page 1 of 1
Loading for S&W model 52
I have been loading 148gr HBWC for the model 52 with WST for around 4 years. I am getting ready to load another batch and was looking at some old data when a couple things that dont make sense popped out at me.
1. I get lower standard deviation (velocity) with lighter crimps. (.371")
2. Most people on this forum load with 2.6 to 2.7g WST and get around 710 fps. I load with 2.5 and get around 710fps. (with a .367" crimp).
I am thinking this might have something to do with how I measure crimps. I measure at the very end of the crimp just before the caliper falls off the crimp. I am not sure if others measure this way. It seems to be a good way for me to compare different crimps that I make, but perhaps it is not a good way for me to compare to crimps others make
Am I doing something wrong?
Doug
my loads are:
2.5 to 2.7gn WST
.367 to .371 crimp
Star cases and Winchester cases
Rem primers and CCI primers
Zero bullets
1. I get lower standard deviation (velocity) with lighter crimps. (.371")
2. Most people on this forum load with 2.6 to 2.7g WST and get around 710 fps. I load with 2.5 and get around 710fps. (with a .367" crimp).
I am thinking this might have something to do with how I measure crimps. I measure at the very end of the crimp just before the caliper falls off the crimp. I am not sure if others measure this way. It seems to be a good way for me to compare different crimps that I make, but perhaps it is not a good way for me to compare to crimps others make
Am I doing something wrong?
Doug
my loads are:
2.5 to 2.7gn WST
.367 to .371 crimp
Star cases and Winchester cases
Rem primers and CCI primers
Zero bullets
djw1cav- Posts : 200
Join date : 2015-04-06
Age : 76
Location : Illinois
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
Crimp, and even sizing die internal diameter affects velocity. Tighter crimps improves combustion efficiency; you get more pop. Factory loads added a cannelure that bites into the skirt adding more bullet pull force. Hard to do that at home.
I'm thinking a lighter faster bullet would help with the slow twist in this gun. Been a while since I played with that. It's true in the 32; the Old Hornady 90 gr hbwc was superb at 50 yards and meh for the 98
I'm thinking a lighter faster bullet would help with the slow twist in this gun. Been a while since I played with that. It's true in the 32; the Old Hornady 90 gr hbwc was superb at 50 yards and meh for the 98
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
I load for my 52 using a roll crimp. I’ve found it extremely difficult to get a measurement with the crimp given by my dies with an external measurement. So I “crimp” an unloaded case then I drop in a pin gage to give an idea of what the crimp is trying to form. I have pins in .354 .352 .350 and .348. It isn’t so much to get a real value but to set up the die to the same level between loading sessions.
Wobbley- Admin
- Posts : 4815
Join date : 2015-02-13
bruce martindale likes this post
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
bruce martindale wrote:Crimp, and even sizing die internal diameter affects velocity.
Bruce,
I hadn't thought about the internal diameter of the case. Maybe my case diameter is too small.
For Zero bullets I use a standard 38 special sizing die. Then I expand the case to fit the zero bullet with a Lyman M die and a special insert for the M die to fit the zero bullet. Perhaps my insert is too small (or worn) and dosent expand the case enough. That would increase the pressure explaining why I only need 2.5 grains WST and everyone else uses 2.6 to 2.7 to get 710fps.
Doug
djw1cav- Posts : 200
Join date : 2015-04-06
Age : 76
Location : Illinois
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
Wobbley wrote:I load for my 52 using a roll crimp. I’ve found it extremely difficult to get a measurement with the crimp given by my dies with an external measurement. So I “crimp” an unloaded case then I drop in a pin gage to give an idea of what the crimp is trying to form. I have pins in .354 .352 .350 and .348. It isn’t so much to get a real value but to set up the die to the same level between loading sessions.
Wobbley,
I am using a profile crimp die. Its basically a roll crimp die that also reduces (slightly) the case OD. To get a consistent crimp I found that I had to trim my cases to the same length. So far I have only had to do it once, when i first obtain the brass. I also on load only one case type at a time. That way I (hopefully) keep the entire lot of brass the same length. Do you trim brass too? I am only referring to brass for the model 52. I am not so anal about ammo for other guns.
Doug
djw1cav- Posts : 200
Join date : 2015-04-06
Age : 76
Location : Illinois
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
Try unresized cases for fun. Use a 45 die to deprime See what you get. The bullet should start in 1/16 " by hand. If not, you're swaging it during seating
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
Doug: I segregate brass by make and (roughly) by times fired. I generally load in 1000 round batches. So, I’ve never trimmed brass. My 52 is accurate enough for 25 yards without that and I still have enough 38 WC from the 1980s to satisfy my 50 yard requirements.djw1cav wrote:Wobbley wrote:I load for my 52 using a roll crimp. I’ve found it extremely difficult to get a measurement with the crimp given by my dies with an external measurement. So I “crimp” an unloaded case then I drop in a pin gage to give an idea of what the crimp is trying to form. I have pins in .354 .352 .350 and .348. It isn’t so much to get a real value but to set up the die to the same level between loading sessions.
Wobbley,
I am using a profile crimp die. Its basically a roll crimp die that also reduces (slightly) the case OD. To get a consistent crimp I found that I had to trim my cases to the same length. So far I have only had to do it once, when i first obtain the brass. I also on load only one case type at a time. That way I (hopefully) keep the entire lot of brass the same length. Do you trim brass too? I am only referring to brass for the model 52. I am not so anal about ammo for other guns.
Doug
That said, with a profile crimp I might still use the gauge pin technique.
Wobbley- Admin
- Posts : 4815
Join date : 2015-02-13
Re: Loading for S&W model 52
Bruce,bruce martindale wrote:Try unresized cases for fun. Use a 45 die to deprime See what you get. The bullet should start in 1/16 " by hand. If not, you're swaging it during seating
I tried inserting a bullet in an unresized case and it did go in about 1/16".
Doug
djw1cav- Posts : 200
Join date : 2015-04-06
Age : 76
Location : Illinois
Similar topics
» First time loading ammo for S&W Model 52 on Dillon 550
» Loading for the ACP Revolver
» V V N 320 What are you loading with it?
» Loading for my 25-2
» Loading for a Walther GSP-C
» Loading for the ACP Revolver
» V V N 320 What are you loading with it?
» Loading for my 25-2
» Loading for a Walther GSP-C
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum