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need reloading help...

Joe Drees
Shot my first box of handloads for my S&W model 52. This is the first I handloaded ANYTHING. I used 2.7 gr of bullseye and 148 gr HBWC. Everything fired and chambered, but accuracy was terrible, 5" groups at 25 yards. I shot S&B and got my usual sub 1" so the gun is fine. What are some common rookie mistakes in reloading that could cause such poor performance? Only thing I know I did poorly was my crimping may have been a bit aggressive and non uniform. I am using a new RCBS press and dies. I also had trouble setting the die to get the bullet seated flush and crimped in one stroke. Any suggestions welcomed. TIA....Joe



joe
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • MIKE WISKEY
    52'S CAN BE TRICKY TO LOAD FOR. YOU MUST HAVE THE BULLET SEATED FLUSH WITH OR JUST OUT OF THE CASE AND HAVE A GOOD UNIFORM CRIMP (ALL CASES HAVE TO BE TRIMMED TO THE SAME LENGHT).
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  • PJ
    This is also a very light load. Try stepping it up a bit.
    Pete

    "Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live"
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  • Pearyw
    A lot depends on the bullet you are using. I have good luck with Speer 148 .358" diameter. I would make sure that you are using the same brand of brass for all your cases. You also should try several different brands of primers to see which works the best for you. Your load is about the standard for the 52. I also use 3.2 gr of 231.
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  • gotstolefrom
    PJ's suggestion is a very good one for your 'condition', to get the load up into the middle ground. This big of a difference (5" vs 1") may just be technique. The fine tuning of primers, 0.2+/- powder, and others bring down the finer points......I think you are in an easily corrected area...now you just have to find out what it is you need to correct. Die Settings, Sizing and Seating, Case length and wall thickness are common places to blunder.


    I've been loading for 30 years and still don't tire of it. Some loads I worked up 25 years ago I still use as they are the best in each pet gun/load set-up.

    SO....just read read read and get uniform uniform uniform.
    You are off to a good start...they all chambered and sent the bullet out of the barrel. ENJOY

    If we do not hang together,
    We will most certainly hang separately.
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  • JAK71454
    What is S&B? If the gun works everytime with 2.7 BE then it is a great load for 25 yrd. MAy need a little more for 50. What brand and size are the HBWC? I would guess it is the crimp. I like my bullets out about 1/32" so you can get an even crimp. A roll crimp is best for feeding but not to much. Consistancy is the key, same brass, clean primer pockets, same prmer and depth of them, same amt of powder, crimp and bullet. Jim

    Jim Kammerer
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