The Rules Of Thumb For Hollow Base Bullets

Hollow base bullets are made by swaging and casting requiring or utilizing softer alloys. This video presents the characteristics of hollow base bullets and the rules of thumb for reloaders to get the best results with these very useful projectiles...

[@Pulsatyr]

When I first started shooting and reloading, some of the best days were spent shooting Hornady or Speer swaged lead .38 Spl. HBWC. At the time, swaged bullets were out of favor and some great cast designs became more readily available. Old shooters gave me cases of those old bullets. My buddies and I would load about 1500 each in my basement during the week using those free bullets, used cases, Bullseye or Unique and primers that we bought together in quantity. We could shoot all day for the cost of two boxes of factory ammo. Whether winding down after shooting other stuff, or if money was tight, we could always have fun with our police trade-in S&W model 67s and our cheap, accurate, low recoil, low report shooting fodder. Now I have such an urge to get out my revolvers! I even now still have one box of Hornady stuff left.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Pulsatyr - Yes, indeed - I used to buy the Remington HBWCs in their big 2000 bullet cases (I understand that when Bullseye shooting was more popular, they sold them in 3000 round boxes), repeatedly as I would shoot those in quantity back in my PPC days. They do bring back memories for sure.... Steve

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

@Reloader 308 Reloader 308 - The Lee 170 grain mold often drops bullets that are not 170 grains, you will have to check this. That is a very popular bullet for the 30/30, but is shootable in the 308, of course. I'll post a video for you with cast bullet data for the 308...should be up in a day or two... Be well and stay well...Steve

[@Pulsatyr]

@@FortuneCookie45LCback then, my parents, sisters, nephews and friends all shot together and feasted afterward. It was safe, clean, wholesome fun. Nobody was ever hurt and each helped clean up and reload for the next trip to the range. I feel sorry for those who don't understand our sport/hobby and have changed a few minds in my time. We were raised to learn, grow and not fear what we didn't yet know. Now we are portrayed as ignorant backwards thinkers and I shake my head.

[@edbecka233]

After using many swaged HBWCs and many more "hard swaged" Meister HBWCs, I discovered the MP line of moulds for various caliber HBWCs. I use their .310, suitably sized, in .30 Carbine and .32-20 revolvers, and their .38, .41, .44 and .45 versions in the respective revolvers, including .45 Colt and .45 AutoRim. I cast them of 49% COWW, 49% Pb, 2% Sn, and powder-coat them, and they are among my most accurate-shooting bullets. I also use them reversed, as cup points, in all the same revolvers. The 3" Bulldog really likes the .44 cup point, as does the 4" M1905/CH4 with the .310 version, and the .45 HBWC is the basis of my match revolver loads in the .45 AutoRim.

[@garyK.45ACP]

I used Hollow Base wadcutters for years. When I began casting, I slugged the bore of my favorite .38 Special revolver, a Colt Officer's Model Match. I found the bore was slightly undersized at .355", chamber mouths were running .356". I was using a 148 gr. "button nosed", flat base wadcutter design, cast from straight wheel weights and found that by sizing to the chamber mouth, .356", I got amazingly good accuracy. I have been using that bullet ever since and it still shoots as accurately as ever. I use 2.6 grs. of Bullseye, as I always did with HB bullets. Velocity avg. from a 6" barrel is 698 fps. Plenty to poke neat holes in paper targets and be very mild shooting. With wheel weight bullets and 2.6 grs. of powder, the cost is little more than .22 LR ammo and the recoil and noise level is not much more either. Cases last and last. HB designs, particularly in swaged bullets, are great if you are using "store bought" bullets. If you are casting and can size your own bullets, experiment with sizing diameters to get the best results in whatever gun you are loading for.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

gary K - The Colt OMM is a spectacular gun...I hope you still have it as it is a treasure. Your gun was the reason Remington made HBWCs in .357" (sold them in 1000, 2000 and 3000 round cartons) as those would have been perfect for your gun. My 38s always shot the .358s, but I didn't have that beauty of yours... Brings back memories for sure... Steve

[@garyK.45ACP]

@@FortuneCookie45LC Yes, I have that gun and I even bought a 2nd one! The first time my wife shot the OMM she said "This gun likes me!" and I could barely get it away from her after that! 🤣 So, when I came across another one that was in near perfect condition, except that someone in the past had drilled and tapped the top strap for a scope mount, (ruining the collector value, but not the shooting qualities) I snapped it up for $475 ! Now we BOTH have an OMM to shoot at the range! And I am busy casting button nose wadcutters!

[@michaelbrooks9647]

Excellent at always and very informative. Glad you made it back in full health. Thank you!

[@sahmadi1000]

There is no other channel that is so educational. THANKS

[@willo7734]

Awesome shirt! I’ve been wanting to make it to a Star Trek cruise for a while.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

This information was extremely relevant to me right now. I've been working up some 38s&w loads for a Colt Police Positive with some old Speer 148gr HBWC's & bevel base WC's. Perfect timing. Thanks FC!!! 👍

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

TRTRTB - Thanks for posting - funny thing is that the reloading manuals give data for WCs, but these are the flat base WCs. HBWCs don't have data, especially in the 38 S & W....but it you start with 1.8 grains of BE ( I know, it's not much powder, but that's how the 38 S & W is), you can work up to 2.0 grains if your gun is OK with that. 38 S & W likes .360" bullets and our HBWCs are .357-.358". Thankfully, those HBWCs will obturate nicely, Best to ya, Steve

[@zxcvbnm6669]

your videos are so awesome... thank you

[@martyinthecounty]

Good info on overcharging hollow base. I was not aware of the separation. Thank you.

[@jims9249]

Great info as always. Glad you made it home safely from your trip.

[@96wx3]

Nice video. I have a friend that works in an ammunition plant. She asked me why the hollow base, i told her why. Also sent your video as it was a more thorough explanation. 👍👍😎

[@michaelpierson7256]

I started casting in 1985 for 40mm & 3" cannons, both breech & muzzleloaders in both sizes. The same problems happen with these. I've had skirt separation in the 40mm muzzleloader minnie balls so i modified the mold for a thicker skirt (that fixed it) on the 3" ordnance rifle with a very thick skirt a service load of 1lb pdr & 9 1/2 lb minnie ball was like dynamite going off. The projo expanded so much the grease grooves were just lines ware they were supposed to be. Half that charge works a lot better. I still run into problems with hardness variations, how to purifie old recovered bullets to be soft enough for the muzzleloaders, ive hit them together & they ring like a bell sometimes & tumble when fired. The breechloaders use the hard ones just fine, they have solid bases😊

[@lessage760]

Thanks for all this info sir very interesting have a great week

[@jungleno.]

Love the shirt Steve! Live long and prosper.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Thanks JG, and you stay well and be well.... Steve

[@Sw00per_actual]

Great info Thanks!

[@arthurdevain754]

I bought a box of hollow-base soft lead wadcutters and loaded them upside-down, making what ought to be a devastating hollow-point load. They shot very well, and the paper targets were, of course, devastated.

[@johnpetty5706]

I do that with the Berry plated bullets.

[@LeverPhile]

Try them on water jugs.

[@arthurdevain754]

I guess your personal history must be very different from mine. No water jugs have ever harmed me or my family, nor have they even threatened to. I like to think of them as "water jugs of peace!"

[@connormarek1028]

glad you guys got away without getting the cironavirus. great video like always. take care.

[@2541968joey]

I'm reloading HBWC for both of my .38s & .44 magnum guns. Great information on the reduced power weights. Also we need to mention COL, case overall length & how that figures into the pressure generated by the reduced power loads.

[@nickjm37fordel1]

Glad you made it home safe :-))

[@ronaldjohnston7989]

Well done, good thoughts for HBWCs...thank you!

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I shot 148’s hollow base ex’s through my 38 mod10 decades ago. We used to set them hollow base as a hollow point get them up to the high end of the velocity chart and they acted like a good combat round. I used these in in my excam double barrel derringer (pos). Thanks for the memories

[@navidkhayam9067]

Love your shirt 😍

[@badgerrrlattin35]

I use the Lee 45 cal Minnie ball in my 45 long and have had good luck with higher velocity by casting hard. Great for long range.

[@mikewilliams1782]

I love some FortuneCookie in my day! You say things well, I like it

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

midawi engineering - And I'm appreciatin' your comment... Be well and stay well to you and yours, Steve

[@asiangambler]

I was on that same cruise, that was my second Star Trek Cruise. I am getting into reloading and is still researching on the hobby. Really considering the lee turret press.

[@mannys9130]

Wow! I would have loved to meet FortuneCookie while on a cruise like that. Could you imagine? I'd buy him dinner, a round of drinks, SOMETHING to say thanks for all the help he has given us over all these years.

[@jungleno.]

Get the Pro1000. It's a much better press.

[@asiangambler]

@@mannys9130 Yes would have liked to have met FortuneCookie and get some insight on reloading. Thanks for info on turret press was also thinking of the lee classic single press. But I saw a video on the turret as you take out the indexing rod. I thought I would use it as a single press while I am learning and when I gain more experience use the full function. What are your thoughts? Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated.

[@asiangambler]

@@jungleno. Thanks I will look into that press.

[@nathanmarcucci]

I really like my turret press

[@howardschleinkofer4946]

one quick question, if I dip my steel molds in ballistol and let them air dry will that protect them. thanks. great channel!!!!!!!!!!

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Howard Schleinkofer - Wiping down your molds (steel or brass or aluminum no difference) with Ballistol is a good idea, but excess Ballistol will get into the pores of the metal requiring more work to get the mold ready for the next cast session... Good castin' to ya, Steve

[@pg981]

How would that Lee 405 grn HB work loaded for a Marlin 1895 with smokeless powder , or is it better suited for black powder cartridge? Thanks and Great info as usual.

[@thomasgellos1732]

Excellent presentation fortune cookie I'm interested in low velocity accurately placed shots

[@mikek8089]

I use 148gr HBWC's for light loads in my 1851 Navy that has a Kirst conversion. It's quite accurate, even though the '51 has a .375 bore.

[@workwillfreeyou]

What powder measures accurately measure light charges of flake powders? Both my Dillon and Lee auto disk have huge charge wt. variation.

[@robbiekipping1124]

Now you tell me. I have been shooting those for years at 3.2.... time to re consider

[@macewindu8542]

Would you recommend that Lee. 45-70 hollowbase mould for use with a Marlin microgroove .45-70? Looking to load some plinkers with unique.

[@troy9477]

Great info as always. Glad you and your family made it back safely w/o any issues. I am hoping the Ninth Circus will get overruled in the ammo background check case. We had it won, then the 9th did what they always do. Judges should not be activists. If we can scrap the ammo law (and be able to order online again) and get the "safety roster" thrown out, the state would be almost livable.

[@christopherlease]

Seems you were lucky to get back when you did! I assume the hardness of the lead makes a difference to how much powder you can use before the skirt separates! The Snider .577 used a clay plug to both create and control the expansion. (And a wooden plug in the nose to form a hollow point). Are there any moulds that can cast a bullet like that? Finally If you are recharging, are you Borg? Resistance is futile!!! Another great video.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Chris Smith - LOL, that is a most fine comment..!! Most HB bullets are on the soft side as the skirt can't do its thing of increasing bearing surface (and obturation) if the alloy is too hard, plus, as you say - the skirt will blow off even easier the harder the bullet is. Plugs have been tried of any number of materials from toilet paper to clay or wood, to factories using bronze or soft steel tips to the latest polymers. Not much point in filling the HB as we'd just use a flat base bullet in that event. Have a great day, and health to you.... Steve

[@danoneill2846]

I have been watching the calf laws as they are tested !! Freedom may win in the end .. ??

[@wbriggs111]

Having a hollow base are a different animal compared to a flat base. I believe it keeps the soft lead from leading the barrel up.There isn't any hot gasses burning around the bullet to splatter up the riflings. In black powder it was so much better especial when greasing the bullet to keep the residue softer that helps with the cleaning after 10 shots.

[@Altiod22]

Great info. Do you have any ideas for using 38spl wad cutter bullets in a 38S&W. The 38S&W is hard to find other bullets.

[@thomasgellos1732]

Trim down .38 special Cases?

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

Idk if this will help you but I've been loading some 38s&w for a Colt Police Positive for some months now. Been using some Speer 148gr HBWC's, Speer 148gr Bevel base WC's & Speer 158gr semi WC's. Although I haven't been through more than a few dozen, they all work great for me so far. The HBWC's have been the most accurate. I just got the Lee 148gr full WC mould but haven't loaded anything I've cast yet. I try & keep the cartridge OAL to the same specs as factory. So the WC's are not seated all the way down into the case or flush w/the case mouth like 38spcl can be, (I've read 38s&w can't handle the pressure of a deeply seated bullet. I don't wanna test that theory so, WC's are seated half way down for me) Hope the info helps, good luck 👍 Oh, and all the projectiles I'm using mic out to .358, so yeah, 38spcl projectiles have worked great for me. .358's sit snug in all 6 of the chamber throats in my Colt.

[@Altiod22]

@@thereindeertherabbitthebat592 Thanks! I have some 38S&W brass and I can make that work with the 38spl WC. What kind of powder and how much are you using? I also have a Colt revolver that uses 38S&W. I had bought some reloads from a clearance out at a gunshop with the 38spl WCs in them. Stupidly I shot all the ammo and did not save some to dissect. Those were the most accurate loads I have ever used.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

@@Altiod22 I've used HP-38 w/ 2.2gr & 2.4gr loads, they were very mild & probably the most accurate of all. (The OAL is about 1.100 w/the FWC's. & I use CCI small pistol primers) Now I'm using 700x, (only bc I have more of it than anything else). I started with 2.0gr & worked up to 2.2gr & 2.4gr loads for 700x (checking for overpressure signs in my cases/ primers & everything). All the loads are pretty slow & safe with very mild recoil & reports. I ended up sticking to the 2.2gr of 700x for the wadcutters for now. I'm sure I could work them up to be warmer but they're plinking loads for me so I'm not too concerned. I've never chronographed any of them. I hope some of this could help, good luck 👍

[@ar15onaoutdooradventures46]

What do you know about sellier & bellot large rifle primers are they any good

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

Cups are a little bit hard but that shouldn’t be a problem in any self loading platform.

[@johnreynolds6499]

Hi, I'm new at casting bullets and I've been wondering how much can you size down? Would there be a limit on what can be done? Examples, I have 2 MP-MOLDS that size larger. One is the 455 Webley Man Stopper hollow base to a 452 colt and a tougher one, the 410 Hammer down to 401. The latter, I have a 406 sizer die and would then go down to the 401 die. I'm going to try but not for a while. Thanx, JR

[@fbrieden]

Hello, and thank you for all the information. How do I join on Patreon? And, what is 3 Circles?

[@rickyanaya6368]

Just wondering would you shoot the hollo based bullet or the double-ended wadcutters in a lever gun?

[@garyK.45ACP]

Try them. You may find they do not feed well in your lever gun. Also, make sure you use a powder charge on the "high" end of the scale for the bullet you choose. Using too little powder can actually cause a bullet to stick in the longer barrel of a rifle or carbine. Yeah, not kidding. My favorite cast wadcutter (button nose, flat base) with 2.6 grs of Bullseye produces 698 fps in my 6" Colt revolver. I tried them in my Winchester Model 1892, 20" barrel, converted to .357 Magnum in the 1950s (when such conversions were common and the Model 1892 was not the collector's item it is now) They did not feed through the action. It doesn't like bullets without a "nose". I hand fed one into the chamber. The shot sounded very "quiet" and no recoil. No hole in the paper. Hmm. The bullet STUCK in the barrel about 4" back from the muzzle!! Good thing I did not fire another and used a cleaning rod to push out the bullet after soaking the bore in WD-40. No harm done, BUT I simply do not use wadcutters in that rifle. Not worth the trouble. Your results may vary.

[@rapidrrobert4333]

I load 148gr. HBWC in a .357 case. What is your suggested load for either Bullseye, and or Red Dot?

[@robertrobert7924]

I have only used pure soft lead HBWC in .38 Special cases so the expansion will be optimal. I need some 148 gr..358 HBRNFP pure lead bullets to load .38 LC cartridges in an 1851 Uberti revolver using a conversion cylinder so they will expand into the .380 grooves and be acccurate. I cannot find them in the marketplace anymore. I tried HBWC but they did not work. Also hard alloy HB do not work either. What is the point of using hard alloy to cast HB bullets, if they do not expand?

[@peteralexben]

the hollow base gives also a drag stability in flight , at low speeds

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

peteralexben - AHA..!! It's that shuttlecock effect - never thought of that.... Be well and stay well to you and yours, Steve

[@thatguy7184]

My wife and I wanted to do that cruise.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

That Guy - This past cruise had William Shatner and Katherine Mugrew as the features with a whole lot of others. We had a lot of the Voyager stars on this cruise, but stars from all the STs. Next year, George Takei will be joining the cruise unless we're still shut down - perish that thought... Best to ya in health and wellness.... Steve

[@greglaroche1753]

What are your thoughts on shooting hollow base in a micro groove barrel with BP. I already shoot several size plane base with BP and it works fine. Happened to get a Lee hollow base mold with a bunch of other used stuff I bought recently. Thanks for another interesting video!

[@peteralexben]

the biggest problem with those virus pandemie ,is the traveling!! ,with planes ,cruise ships ,trains .

[@gruntspy44]

Lol cookie you Nerd!

[@maximelamorlette8873]

This is not the minié ball ? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini%C3%A9_ball

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I have heard that some of the union troopers would load mini balls base forward as a anti personnel round. Was told this by a re-enactor. While buffalo hunters and mountain-men wouldn’t do this

[@minerblue9641]

Yeah. God help you if you blow the center out of a hollow base wadcutter and it gets stuck in the barrel. The next round will be a doooooozy!

[@charlesphillips5906]

Red Shirt, not good!

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Charles Phillips - You're right, I've got to change shirts immediately..!!! Horrors..... Best to ya, Steve

[@williamgaines9784]

@@FortuneCookie45LC you need "Science Officer Blue"😉

[@re-jaunsnoer561]

Hi do you have a email address that I can send you a question.