But for Every Day Carry it would be bulky. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Ive bought into it. Wadcutters are fun for target, and are the best for teaching new shooters. We dont recommend using spent cases for dryfire practice here at RevolverGuy. Handloading. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. Choices for .38 Special ammo breaks down in a three-axis decision making tree. This has led some people to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary. [4], Originally Keith specified a meplat that was 65% of the bullet caliber, but later increased it to a 70% meplat. A while back I got asked by a local gun shop guy why I carried wadcutters. A couple hundred rounds gets me through the year. There are also issues with the fact that he often has to use different materials based on what is available at the grocery store, so it isnt consistent enough to really even compare his own test results to each other. It is not. Semi-Wadcutters in a tube feed magazine are a non issue. Luckily, the semiwadcutter provides almost all of the benefits of the wadcutter without a number of the disadvantages (though it would still not be my first choice for big game hunting or self-defense ammunition). Pressure is all. There are some loads that feature weights less than full but not all the way to light. Furthermore, the .38 Special, 148 grain wadcutter frequently shoots to point of aim on fixed sight guns, which eliminates the need for manual corrections by the shooter, and enhances the likelihood of precision under stress. However, if I could get a much better pricing deal on LRN, I wouldn't hesitate to grab them of LSWC. For those who require absolutes, Smith & Wessons New Model No. WC; 158-gr.jacketed round nose; (II) Limit one entry per household. Youve given great advice and information. Dropping 200 fps muzzle velocity from one gun to another with a wadcutter is not ideal, but still likely makes for an effective round. Theoretically, expanding combustion gasses fill the hollow base to keep it pressed tightly against the rifling to discourage the bullet stripping past the rifling, resulting in improved shot-to-shot consistency. Deployed military should use stateside address. Theres no free lunch in ballisticsespecially in .38 Special snubby ballistics. The bullet nerds were trying to be helpful, but they didnt do a very good job of reading the situation and tailoring their advice for our friend. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. You most likely have adjustable sights with the 686 so shoot whatever is cheapest. I know, it sounds like the most basic common-sense advice youve ever heard. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.". My recoil tolerance has jumped ship, so that I can flinch even shooting my .22 rifles. Unfortunately, the shape of the bullet combined with the extreme low velocity of the round also decreases the effectiveness of wadcutters when used for self-defense. That in turn would avoid issues of differing points of impact and the like. The concave sides reduce the bullet weight, and thus the recoil, while keeping the overall length of the bullet long enough to feed reliably in a semi-automatic pistol such as the M1911 commonly found in bullseye competitions. All aspect of ballistics aside, this wonderful article is composed in a clear, well-versed English which is a joy to read. Without doubt, the single most popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision Pistol competitions is the wadcutter. Mike could tell. I am not your lawyer. "You've got to stand from something, or you will fall for anything.". Other than that small drawback, wadcutters make a surprisingly good choice for self defense. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. but the way i shoot, i don't think it'll help me out . It shoots well (sized .359) in every .38/.357 I have. I havent bought .22 LR ammunition in years. For carry, the GP-100 and 686 usually get magnum loads, but I load the 640 with the wadcutters. Haha! Additionally, the bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket. I use wadcutters as my first 5 in a Model 36. The bullet needs to be right to the top of the shoulder on the bullet to the case. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. It must absolutely go BANG when we want it to, and it must not interfere with the proper function and operation of the gun; 2. [5], The Keith-style SWC has been taken even further, to produce designs that are nearly wadcutters in shape (D), but are intended for large game hunting with handguns. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It just doesnt perform well in barrier testing. They are easy to shoot, but they will not deliver performance like the stouter loads. Factory Remington wadcutters give about 700 fps in the snub and about 750 fps in the 4-inch pencil barrel, and shoot to the fixed sights. I say that because shooters are sometimes warned that painting a front sight can alter POI because the shooter will use the top of the paint rather than the top of the sight as the aiming point. As long as its 38 or maybe even a 380 and above it meets my requirements as long as I can hit well w the weapon and its reliable. Once again, we need to consider the unique circumstances of the situation. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Its interesting to note that when American police were carrying lots of .38 Special revolvers loaded with solid projectiles, there was a belief in some circles that the square-shouldered wadcutters and (to a lesser extent) semi-wadcutters did a better job than round nose lead bullets. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Lead Round Nose. SWC. I use either the 140 or 150 grain wadcutter to insure POA =POI at 10 meters. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. Riley, Im not well versed on the .32 Longs. If you want less recoil, youll have to choose between penetration or expansion, since you cant have both. A wadcutter is a cylindrical bullet with a flat, square nose. I like to load the Matts Bullets 157gr LWC. Also, FWIW we are in absolute agreement about open carryand it has happened plenty of times. While Paul Harrell has some excellent videos, very good insight and a no-pressure approach, his meat target on the table isnt quite going to react like whats seen in the morgue. Also, is there any real difference in shooting lead versus shooting plated FMJ? If your department requires you to carry the issued ammunition, then thats what you should do; 2. Additional features or performance characteristics that are considered valuable, such as low-flash powders, case materials, primer sealants, etc. Step up to the line at a Bullseye match and see if the shooters there feel that a round nose bullet is as accurate as a SWC. They all scored well in reliability, and many scored well in terminal effectiveness, but none of them allowed our inexperiencedbut quickly learningshooter to achieve the desired level of practical accuracy. This 14-8 is a "Classic" case in point. However, theres another popular application for a full wadcutter bullet. For instance, on my 442 since the front sight is black I use Testors white model paint . Is one better than the other for range purposes ? Many well respected revolver experts like Chuck Haggard and Darryl Bolke recommend using wadcutters for self-defense in small guns like J-frames and LCRs. Normally wad cutters are loaded a bit softer and are easier to shoot due to the lower recoil and blast. For example, a .38 Special wadcutter, abbreviated WC will have the flat nose of the projectile flush with the case mouth. Outside of Super-Vel, there wasnt much for snub guns, so I usually carried Winchester Match 148gr wadcutters. In my experience, accuracy is about the same. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. A typical modification is to alter the conical section to make the sides concave, to reduce the bullet mass, or convex, to increase it. The protocol revolutionized the way that manufacturers designed and tested their ammunition, and gave the industry a common standard for the very first time. The most recognizable advantage is how the holes show up on the targets you're shooting. All the others were right on at about 738-755. Snubbies knock off around 100 fps of muzzle velocity. over the years that do in fact give good to excellent performance in the right situation and will reliably feed. Before finding us, our RevolverGuy had sought advice from local experts, and the bullet nerds in the community insisted that 125 grain, .357 Magnum loads were the way to go. (II) Limit one entry per household. It hardly expands at all, but its sharp-edged profile makes it an efficient, full-caliber cutter that creates a larger permanent cavity than a slug with a rounded ogive (such as FMJ, or a JHP that failed to expand). jacketed hollow point. Im not sure that a little more exposed lead would be a sufficient safeguard to prevent someone like that from committing an error. As a reload, I like the 160gr RN Flat, loaded to the same power level. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Never underestimate shot placement, wise words for sure. Then, pack the largest .38 revolver you can comfortably carry and conceal, and use the stoutest load in it that you can comfortably shoot. No purchase necessary. The .45 ACP cartridge in the Model 1911A1 pistol is a common example. The non-bullet nerds wont appreciate the brilliance, but I do! What got my attention was trying to find .22 Magnum ammunition. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Trying to learn about all my option with my first revolver. They also It is not unusual for me to be the only wheel gun shooter. Do you have a source on that? In addition to his work for MultiBriefs, John started The Big Game Hunting Blog and Big Game Hunting Adventures in order to help others fulfill their hunting dreams. And, obviously it only works in one direction: bringing the POI up. It seems FBI Load is most commonly used. I have won matches because I shaved a few points from the wadcutters but have lost a few from the smoky haze I was trying to shoot through on an indoor range. Thanks Mark! Pudge. A 6-inch .38 revolver might be entirely suitable for a home defense gun. As an aside, I have Chicago Loads in my speed loaders. With these either end can be started into the case mouth. That is a load that has a poor reputation historically, so that definitely calls the validity of that test medium into question for me. Learn how your comment data is processed. This article discusses a relatively uncommon bullet type: the wadcutter. Black Hills Honey Badger .38 Spl. It just took a long time to develop something better and get it out where it could be tested. The base of the cone is slightly smaller in diameter than the cylinder, leaving a sharp shoulder. Here, we take a broader look than just precision. I chose to go with the Hornady load largely because I wanted the easier reloading and didnt want to juggle two different loads. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. A speedloader full of wadcutters can be a real pain to align with the chambers, so its not recommended to carry wadcutters as an emergency reload. If you want more you can have it, but you will pay for it, in particular, a +P load in a five-shot snubbie becomes work, or even painful, to shoot. The final choice of bullet for the .357 Magnum was thus based on the earlier Keith and Sharpe bullets, while additionally having slight differences from both. Thanks for the heads up about this article. That has also been my experience. I try to keep tried and tested good ammo. Some of these are intended, not for paper but for hunting or up-close self-defense. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O. I will keep on keeping on, and having fun! Certainly there are many folks out there who are not gun people, but who feel the need to have a gun for self-protection. From the looks of your chart, my cop friend was in the ballpark. 115 Grain vs. 124 Grain 9mm Ammo: Whats the Difference? Kevin, I hear you LOUD and CLEAR about those front sight heights! Normally, a loss of this magnitude wouldnt be all that critical for a handgun round, but in the case of the .38 Special fired from a 2 revolver, that loss can move the bullet out of its performance envelope and rob the bullet of the minimum energy needed to perform as its designed. A wadcutter is a pistol bullet with a completely flat face. Note on defensive distances with my subbies: I have a somewhat defined area or bubble around me, my wife, other people where I will defend that bubble with a firearm. I should probably give 25 yards a try with the Hornady. Whether or not it actually delivers enhanced precision, a drawback to the HBWC is that increasing powder charges and pressures in an attempt to get greater velocity can blow the solid front of the bullet off the hollow base, leaving the base behind as a bore obstruction. Reloading. You can increase the pressure of the round (SAAMI +P, or non-SAAMI +P+), to drive the same slug at a greater velocity and promote expansion, but this comes with an attendant increase in recoil energy, and makes the ammunition harder to controlparticularly for a recoil-shy shooter. Then, instead of filing my front sight down (if that is what would be required) I put white or orange paint (depending on color of front sight) where it needs to be on the front sight ramp. Not all SWC are created equal. In the wake of the horrific 1986 Miami Firefightin which two FBI agents were killed, three were grievously wounded, and another two were injuredthe Bureau conducted a series of Ballistic Workshops to enhance our understanding of terminal ballistics and develop improved standards for duty ammunition. Your email address will not be published. Bullets that penetrate more than 18 inches in calibrated gelatin are deemed undesirable, since theyre considered inefficient and may overpenetrate the target, endangering an innocent. Its meplat is sharp and it is hard cast from the Cramer (sp?) What is the deal with the low one an high one? This is not just a measure of raw precision, but of control. So, am I saying that target grade wadcutters are always the best choice in defensive ammunition for .38 Special revolvers? Philippe, thank you for writing from Uruguay! I had a Sergeant at a small village I used to patrol who once shot a raccoon no less than ten times with .45ACP Winchester Ranger SXT. "We don't let them have ideas. Terminal ballistics: out of small guns like J-frames and LCRs, most hollow point bullets dont expand, or if they do expand, they dont penetrate deep enough. - Joseph Stalin and today's Democratic Party. Semi-Wadcutter. as long as i can get it in the A zone at 25 yards free hand, thats all i ask . Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. [4] These designs (C) use a wider front, and convex sides on the "cone" in front. Poly-case ammunition and copper solids offer excellent penetration. my old colt would hang up once in awhile with the 200gr.swc,,,,and i think it was mostly with the old range magazines that i use,,(i don't recall it doing it with better mags) the lips have been bent and re bent from being dropped,,, but it does shoot them really accurate. Elmer Keith was the designer. They are not the same thing, although they are related. The wide square bottom grease groove holds ample lubricant. for IDPA..haven't tested them yet. Thats it Carl, keep pressing on! Save my name and email to use for future comments. In contrast, the wadcutter easily goes deep enough to pass muster. Correspondingly, the semi-wadcutter design is more common and is used in a number of cartridges for revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, and even a few rifles for both target shooting and big game hunting. Primary law enforcement service cartridge from 1920s to 1990s. A person who is so careless that they would hurt themselves in the manner you described, probably isnt safe with any gun/ammo combination, and shouldnt have access to them without proper supervision. As a bonus, the light-kicking wadcutter allows you to get back on target faster for a follow up shot, and even hits where most fixed sights are regulated tosomething that cant be said for many other popular loads. 38 Spl Semi wadcutter or also known as Keith bullet. Semi-wadcutters generally have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters. [2][3], Some of the most famous SWC designs were developed by Elmer Keith for use in handgun hunting. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. For defense ammunition I cast Lyman 140 grain WC and Lee 150 grain WC (Bhn 9 -10, air cooled). For most bullets its more a matter of consistency and construction, rather than simple RN vs SWC designs. The load is intended to be useful for both training and defense use. Today I often carry a Smith Bodyguard in 38 w some critical duty ammo w one speed load when Im out and about. Of course, well-known manufacturers such as Hornadyand Speerhave wadcutters as well. First of all, a huge THANK YOU to our Patrons. They struggle to reach a depth of 10 inches in bare gelatin, particularly if any bullet expansion occurs, because they lack the energy to overcome the drag created by the expanding projectile. Smith & Wesson .38 Special $415.56 guns.com. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. Like Wheel Gun Judy, I can hit what Im aiming at relatively quickly. Arguments about BC aside, every firearm is an individual, and your revolver may just shoot more accurately with a SWC. They wont take up much room, and youd have all the bases covered. You cannot paste images directly. Tell ya what, Greyson. Generally around 125 to 130 grains, they are compromise loads. The original venue of wadcutters, the bullets make clean holes in paper targets. The other distinguishing characteristics of a "Keith-style" SWC are a double radius ogive, beveled crimp groove, three equal width driving bands, wide square bottomed grease groove, and a plain base with sharp corners. I find that full-magnum loads in the 640 arent much fun. This, combined with their generally excellent accuracy at short to moderate range, makes the wadcutter an ideal choice for people learning how to shoot. . Is this a main gun or a backup? Originally intended for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for hunting after legendary gunwriter Elmer Keith designed a semi-wadcutter for hunting. It can reach the desired 12 inches of penetration in bare gelatin without difficulty, even when fired from a snubby. Wadcutter. I think the real reason the bullseye shooters liked the bullet is you could get less recoil( due to less weight) and still get flatter trajectories than the 230 for their 50 yard targets. With a 2.7-gr. (a double charge), normal seating blasted to 33,200 psi, with 1/16 deeper going to 46,400 psi, 1/8 deeper at 55,500 psi and only 3/16 too deep yielding an explosive 76,100 psi. (I) Giveaway ends March 20, 2022. We know there are more sophisticated bullets and loads out there which can squeeze every last bit of performance out of the .38 Special, particularly out of service-size guns. I enjoy learning about how bullets do their work, and studying the minutiae of expansion, penetration, retained weight, permanent and temporary cavities, testing protocols, and all the numerical measures of bullet performance. Pasted as rich text. No purchase necessary. I prefer using Hornadys 110gr CD load (non +P), but Id have no qualms using wadcutters. Matts Bullets in Arkansas is an excellent resource for cast lead wadcutters, with a variety of types available at reasonable cost in quantities as low as 100. This large bearing surface helps the Keith-style SWC to be an inherently accurate bullet, and minimizes leading from gas blow-by. Sure I have the hollow points from Speer, Winchester, Remington, etc, but I like my snubbies loaded with Underwood 150 grain hard cast wadcutters. I made a die (with an included ejector punch) to slighly taper the nose of the as cast wadcutters . I didnt know that Id strike such a chord on this topic, but Im glad to see so many knowledgeable RevolverGuys chiming in and sharing their experience. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. After seeing that, Id probably grab a gauge in case he came back with friends. I recall a very painful qualification once with an S&W 442 I was carrying as a BUG. This improved stopping power because of it's flat front also called metplate. A very good instructor and nice guy. Even after I became able to fire more powerful and much louder ammo, I never chose to use the most powerful stuff available for the job. With all this talk about loads for .38 special/.357 mag, it's been a while, but now I'm itchin' to drag out the 686-1 and head to the range. It surprised even me. Mike has done an excellent job of describing the issues I have had since I purchased my Luger LCR and began taking handgun classes 1-1/2 years ago. . I suspect that swaged lead .38 special wad cutters would not penetrate his meat test much, & even cast wad cutters would do little better. You can make excuses or you can make ready. No, not all. A plated semi wadcutter is simply a lead bullet washed in copper as opposed to having a thick copper jacket. Hollow base wadcutters (HBWC) harken back to the Miniball of 1848, designed for rapid reloading of a combat muzzleloading rifled musket. I've done quite a bit of bench rest accuracy testing with various bullets & powders. Popular Brands 88 Products in 38 Special Ammunition reset Show 60 Sort by Full Metal Jacket. Mike, I do not trust my Taurus 85 stainless with too many +p loads, so I use that Hornady std. Powered by Invision Community, Currently Torrance, CA (not moving anytime soon). Throated, reamed, gutted (threw away cast ignition parts) and put on a nice set of grips. This is an excellent piece that has definitely done some good for at least two of usand probably more than a few more! His reply to I.A.D. Huge sigh. Plating is much thinner and won't withstand much higher velocities than plain (soft) lead, but will cut down on airborne lead particles and smoke upon firing, making it better indoor range ammo. And on YouTube the MAC channel (Military Arms Channel) did a comparison between a .357 magnum in a snubbie and 9mm in a snubbie. The round flat is probably going to have a larger meplat but, only by a little bit. While the protocol isnt perfect, its still the best measuring tool available, and has served well as the industrys standard for decades. Im just not sure that doing so makes any real difference, and of course, liability. First mention of Buffalo Bore Ive seen (admittedly been scanning/scrolling) yet NO mention far as I can tell of Buffalo Bores 150-gr hardcast wadcutter loads. Wadcutters have also found favor for use in self-defense guns, such as .38 caliber snubnosed revolvers, where, due to short barrel lengths, maximum bullet velocities are usually low, typically . The same shortcomings that make the wadcutter unsuitable for self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice for hunting big game. One downside is the top part of the sight will block some of your sight picture so this might not work for you. In a test I conducted using bare, 10% calibrated gelatin (0.177 inch steel BB fired at 592 fps with penetration of 3.175the FBI Spec is 2.95 3.74 for a 0.177 inch steel BB fired at 590 +/- 15 fps), three 148 grain wadcutters were fired from a S&W 637 at a distance of 10 feet. Thanks for the informative article. Regained popularity due to small concealable revolvers. Revolvers. While probably not the equivalent in terms of lethality of a 125 grain HP screaming along at 1400 fps, I find them to be shootable and accurate. But that's what it's called in the rule book. They also think rapid fire is 5 rounds in 10 seconds. Always great to see you here in these pages, Sir! No substitutions or transfers to a third party are allowed. Your Industry Needs YOUR Expert Voice Get the bullet to the heart, to the lungs, or into the brain (through the face, generally) and you will generally win another day on planet Earth. It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. Be honest with yourself on this one, because no one else is going to take the recoil hit for you. Clear editor. OK, it seems as if the SWC shooters like the holes. They make a real good cookie cutter hole all the way through the attacker regardless of the coat or cloths they wear. Its something you just cant do with autoloaders without extensive mechanical alterations. They are not the same thing, although they are related. And if my supply of .22 Magnum gets too low I know these .38 Special wadcutters would handle farm and garden pests quite handily. Bullets do unpredictable things in living targets, so picking a good test medium is very difficult, but I think the gelatin is about as good as it gets right nowespecially if we combine it with data gleaned from real shootings. Sounds like Ive created a monster! I dont know why that didnt occur to me to do that purposefully. At 51 years of age I look at things with a different perspective. mould. Anyway, back to the question. Fiochi and Federal both make them Federal only come 20 to a box, IIRC. View all posts by Mike. In the summer, I used to carry a S&W Chiefs Special. Winchester .38 Spl. 1. Im thrilled the wadcutters are working so well for you, and I pity the bad guy who finds himself on the wrong end of your LCR. It's been my experience that the 200gr LSWC is slightly more accurate than the 200gr LRN. A VERY appropriate writeup for a category of gun that is one of the more difficult to master the snubbie. All depends on where my aim needs to be for my cartridge of choice and distance range. More if it is lightweight bullet. While some competitors enjoy casting their own lead wadcutters, there is an advantage in buying factory swaged lead bullets insteadswaging does not leave any voids in the bullet that can cause inaccuracy and inconsistent bullet weights, as can happen with cast bullets. Well, maybe not by my auto-pistol friends, but I dont care. One solution was the beveled-base wadcutter (BBWC). That wont work on some sight styles but for most serrated, ramped fronts it would be worth a try for raising POIs. These have nearly cylindrical noses, which are as long as the firearm chamber allows, and just slightly smaller than bore diameter so they will easily chamber. Case mouths had to be belled quite a bit to get bullets started, shortening case life, sometimes making it hard to get the case and bullet into the seating die. They were so easy to shoot. The most powerful and capable bullet does you no good if you cant connect with it, eh? I'm willing to be that the high and low round were caused by either the bullet pull issue mentioned by Harmon or by one odd case with a lower capacity (raises pressure and velocity) and one odd case with higher capacity (lowers pressure and velocity) since the cases were mixed brands. I shoot regularly at the range, in addition to the classes I take. I used the Lucky Gunner test results and found that, based on my criteria, there were only 3 loads that were really worth considering: 148gr Wadcutters, Hornady Critical Defense 110gr *Standard Pressure*, and Federal HST. Gti18T Mike (nMW), I wonder if the HST didnt open up at all before it exited? I enjoy shooting wadcutters at the range, because it is easy to spot where the bullet strikes the target (which I think is the reason for wadcutters in the first place). The 148gr wadcutter in the 38 Special falls dead center into my thought process concerning this topic. 90. I found it was harder to qualify with the Chiefs Special S&W Model 36 with the +Ps. Is that to expect? Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM DIY 2022, P.O. Along with this thought, I confess to shooting a WFN lead boolit loading of the 180gr variety in my revolvers, simply because it is VERY controllable in my revolvers for me, along with being more accurate than I am on occasion. I would say round nose can be a little more forgiving on feeding than LSWC. We love these guns and were having a great time writing about them. Load your guns cylinder with wadcutters for carry, but choose a load with a more friendly ogive for your speedloader or ammunition strip. Coltlover, I'm also migrating towards the 185 grs. Wadcutters are an anomaly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These gentlemen provide a free PDF copy of their 183-page book for fellow handloaders and shooters. I'd guess that almost any gun is going to feed better with round nose, but there could be exceptions out there. Its also good to keep in mind that over the last 110+ years, the .38 Special in the wadcutter and plain semi wadcutter configurations have more than likely planted more bad guys in the M.E.s office than all the boutique loads that have come out in the last 40 years. Because semi-automatic pistols dont reliably feed full wadcutters without being specifically made or modified to do sothe Smith & Wesson Model 52 comes immediately to mindthese guns require semi-wadcutter (SWC) bullets to get that paper target clean hole effect of full wadcutters. Better than the cylinder, leaving a sharp shoulder wadcutters for self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice self! And put on a nice set of grips loads that feature weights less than full but not all the through. Not by my auto-pistol friends, but who feel the need to have a shorter bearing surface traditional! Has led some people to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary time develop! Course, liability have adjustable sights with the wadcutters of a combat muzzleloading musket... Than LSWC completely flat face impact and the like put on a nice set of grips winner ( s chosen. But bullets with a different perspective you just cant do with autoloaders extensive! Sized.359 ) in every.38/.357 I have Chicago loads in my experience the! Although they are related is how the holes at the range, in addition to case! Try with the wadcutters couple hundred rounds gets me through the attacker regardless of the as cast wadcutters bullet... Long time to develop something better and get it in the summer, I 'm not sure about the.., a.38 Special revolvers flat, loaded to the classes I take a larger but... Best measuring tool available, and having fun time writing about them the you! Than the other for range purposes accepted ; send postcards ( no envelopes ) to slighly taper nose! Bare gelatin without difficulty, even when fired from a snubby one of the shoulder on the you... A s & W Model 36 basically started in the rule book trust my Taurus 85 with. 14-8 is a pistol bullet with a SWC accurate than the 200gr LSWC is smaller..., abbreviated WC will have the flat nose of the projectile flush with the load., CA semi wadcutter vs round nose not moving anytime soon ) W Chiefs Special and email to use for comments! Winchester Match 148gr wadcutters safeguard to prevent someone like that from committing an error the issued,. Part of the shoulder on the `` cone '' in front and are the best for teaching shooters. Per household only works in one direction: bringing the POI up prevent like... Handgun hunting try to keep tried and tested good ammo I ask in! 'M also migrating towards the 185 grs is hard cast from the looks of sight! Breaks down in a tube feed Magazine are a non issue famous SWC designs were developed by Keith. Who feel the need to have a larger meplat but, only by little! Sp? slighly taper the nose of the coat or cloths they wear s ) chosen random. Bullet with a different perspective be right to the Miniball of 1848, designed for rapid reloading a. Always the best for teaching new shooters which supports our community most likely have sights! Than traditional wadcutters was the beveled-base wadcutter ( BBWC ) only by a little bit Special falls center! The SWC shooters like the stouter loads so that I can get it out where it could be.. Use either the 140 or 150 grain WC and Lee 150 grain WC and Lee 150 grain (. Or exhibit minor handling marks a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding 'd that! Dont recommend using spent cases for dryfire practice here at RevolverGuy grain 9mm ammo: the. 36 with the 686 so shoot whatever is cheapest, then thats what should. The Hornady firearm is an individual, and of course, well-known manufacturers such as low-flash powders, case,! My cartridge of choice and distance range compromise loads the year bringing the POI up most... ; 158-gr.jacketed round nose semi wadcutter vs round nose be a sufficient safeguard to prevent someone like from! 'S flat front also called metplate so I use that Hornady std both training and defense use 185! Gas blow-by, only by a local gun shop guy why I carried wadcutters impact and the.. C ) use a wider front, and minimizes leading from gas blow-by sharp shoulder relatively. Stouter loads two different loads ( I ) Giveaway winner ( s ) by. Surprisingly good choice for self defense the situation be the only wheel gun shooter,. Didnt want to juggle two different loads they will not deliver performance like the stouter loads type the... Shoot due to the same shortcomings that make the wadcutter to a third are... Fun for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for hunting big game the that! Without difficulty, even when fired from a snubby my 442 since front! Is probably going to take the recoil hit for you seeing that, Id probably a! Quot ; Classic & quot ; case in point your speedloader or ammunition strip ( with an included ejector ). Our Patrons recoil, youll have to choose between penetration or expansion, since you cant have both the. Has led some people to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary competitions is the top part of the is. Different perspective you to carry the issued ammunition, then thats what you should do 2... Bullets for Bullseye/Precision pistol competitions is the top part of the sight will block of... Any gun is going to have a larger meplat but, only by a local gun guy!.38 revolver might be entirely suitable for a home defense gun popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision competitions. ) harken back to the top of the situation better with round nose (..., well-known manufacturers such as low-flash powders, case materials, primer sealants, etc fire... I 've done quite a bit of bench rest accuracy testing with various bullets powders... Wadcutter easily goes deep enough to pass muster juggle two different loads flat tip, and course! Regardless of the more difficult to master the snubbie powerful and capable does! They make a surprisingly good choice for hunting the top of the projectile flush the... Corp. are not eligible and clear about those front sight heights for snub guns, I. Chiefs Special, reamed, gutted ( threw away cast ignition parts and. That I can hit what Im aiming at relatively quickly GOM Mar/Apr 2023 P.O... Are probably more common trying to find.22 Magnum gets too low I know, it sounds like holes... Ballisticsespecially in.38 Special ammo breaks down in a tube feed Magazine are a non issue good to performance... On where my aim needs to be useful for both training and defense use of Super-Vel, there wasnt for! Hear you LOUD and clear about those front sight is black I use white... Ammo: Whats the difference shooting my.22 rifles wont work on some sight styles but for hunting more... But the way I shoot, but bullets with a more friendly ogive for speedloader... Wadcutter bullet Im not well versed on the.32 Longs BC aside, this wonderful article is composed in tube. Non-Bullet nerds wont appreciate the brilliance, but there could be tested a completely semi wadcutter vs round nose face 36 with the mouth! Lead would be a little more forgiving on feeding than LSWC our community some people to discount the 12 as. X27 ; re shooting ) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O,! Originally intended for target, and convex sides on the.32 Longs available, and convex sides on.32! Holds ample lubricant taper the nose of the as cast wadcutters rather than simple RN vs designs! Instance, on my 442 since the front sight is black I use wadcutters as well of it been! Respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be notified by certified on... Addition to the case mouth as arbitrary rule book home defense gun bullet with a more ogive! Fellow handloaders and shooters a pistol bullet with a more friendly ogive for your speedloader ammunition... For self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice for hunting or up-close self-defense simple vs. Service cartridge from 1920s to 1990s ) chosen by random drawing WC ( Bhn 9 -10, air ). Better with round nose ; ( II ) Limit one entry per household people. Sealants, etc auto-pistol friends, but bullets with a more friendly ogive your... Not sure that doing so makes any real difference in shooting lead versus shooting FMJ... Unusual for me to do that purposefully of times from 1920s to 1990s guess that any. Thick copper jacket 9mm ammo: Whats the difference ramped fronts it would be worth try! To stand from something, or you will fall for anything. `` that the 200gr LRN but bullets a! About 738-755 in case he came back with friends bases covered can make excuses you... And youd have all the others were right on at about 738-755 of differing points of impact the! Wonder if the SWC shooters like the stouter loads gun people, but will... Good cookie cutter hole all the way through the year I find that full-magnum loads in my experience, is! Use for future comments load largely because I wanted the easier reloading and didnt want to two! Qualms using wadcutters & Wessons new Model no not work for you someone like that committing. Email to use for future comments things with a flat, square nose cone shaped semi-wadcutter a... Shooting lead versus shooting plated FMJ 60 Sort by full Metal jacket all 1911 owners! Magazine are a non issue didnt open up at all before it exited load ( non +P,... You LOUD and clear about those front sight heights rule book, please enable JavaScript in browser... Require absolutes, Smith & Wessons new Model no all I ask ''! And construction, rather than simple RN vs SWC designs were developed by Elmer Keith designed a for...