What brass for DEWC 38 Specials?

[Drayks]

Does anyone know what 38 brass cases are specifically marked for reloading long DEWC bullets? Looking to reload 38 Special cases with148gr Berry's plated and want to know if there are marked brass cases with thin walls for bullets loaded long.

 

[Cholo]

It's just regular 38 Special brass. For the last 30 or so years WC's are all I've ever loaded in 38 Special, and I've used several different brands of brass with all working well.

 

[contender]

Deep in the recesses of my faded memory,, I seem to recall a different brass that was just for WC ammo.
I know it wasn't head stamped any differently,, NOT do I recall if the case was any thinner. But I do know that there is a type of "cannalure" ring about where the base of the bullet would be inside the case.
If you find .38 Spl brass with a cannalure ring about half way down the case body,, it was for .38 Spl wadcutters.

 

[Neon Vernon]

It's not that the brass is thinner, but they're formed with less internal taper to the inside of the case walls to accommodate the full wadcutter shank without deforming it. As Contender mentioned, a cannelure at the midpoint of the case is the tell.

It's of prime importance when using hollow base wadcutters. The double-ended version isn't as likely to be deformed by the case, or at least to a lesser degree.

I believe that Starline's standard 38 Special brass is punched (formed) with the interior walls parallel to a depth to be compatible with full wadcutters, not sure about their +P flavor.

 

[protoolman]

I have 7000 rounds of range brass from police qualifications. A good portion has even the double cannelure that was common on those dewc's if I remember right.

 

[Johnnu2]

I've been loading wadcutters of all types for over 50+ years (including double-ended and hollow base; I actually had to look up "double ended" just to confirm the meaning as I thought it was). I've used any and all range-picked-up brass with, and without cannalures etc etc etc. Everything shoots perfectly well always; with no problems ever. Over the last 40 years or so, I did learn about taper crimping my wadcutter ammo so, I've been doing that. It has "proved" to result in no major difference other than making a cleaner-looking cartridge. I'm told by the "experts" that taper crimping will result in more accuracy; however, I personally don't care so I haven't bothered to confirm that information.
I live by KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid); and am always striving for mediocrity.........
J.

 

[Jakeintexas]

Doesn’t matter. Mostly load Wadcutters. But if you want specific brass, you can’t go wrong with Starline.

 

[Jakeintexas]

I've been loading wadcutters of all types for over 50+ years (including double-ended and hollow base; I actually had to look up "double ended" just to confirm the meaning as I thought it was). I've used any and all range-picked-up brass with, and without cannalures etc etc etc. Everything shoots perfectly well always; with no problems ever. Over the last 40 years or so, I did learn about taper crimping my wadcutter ammo so, I've been doing that. It has "proved" to result in no major difference other than making a cleaner-looking cartridge. I'm told by the "eperts" that taper crimping will result in more accuracy; however, I personally don't care so I haven't bothered to confirm that information.
I live by KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid); and am always striving for mediocrity.........
J.

I use a MBC DEWC and roll crimp to the last crimp groove. Works great.

 

[JimHPTN]

It's not that the brass is thinner, but they're formed with less internal taper to the inside of the case walls to accommodate the full wadcutter shank without deforming it. As Contender mentioned, a cannelure at the midpoint of the case is the tell.

It's of prime importance when using hollow base wadcutters. The double-ended version isn't as likely to be deformed by the case, or at least to a lesser degree.

I believe that Starline's standard 38 Special brass is punched (formed) with the interior walls parallel to a depth to be compatible with full wadcutters, not sure about their +P flavor.

I just loaded and shot 100 rounds of Berry's hollow based wadcutters into Starline brass with a very slight roll crimp and can report that it worked quite well. I would imagine that the DEWC should work just as well or better.

According to the Starline Brass Website, the regular and +P cases are the same except for the headstamp.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I used pretty much any brass except for the nickel-plated stuff. Just seemed "harder" and crimping was a little more picky. Also, the cases didn't last as long, with splits quite common. JMHO