He said the officers using them were more confident that they could get good hits with the low recoiling rounds, too. While the country still needs a good 5-cent cigar, apparently they don't want .38 wadcutters. Additionally, the bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. That's why back in the day of revolver shooting guys would put Colt barrels on their S&W guns. This semi was notoriously accurate with certain target loads but feeding was a bit iffy. A wadcutter has a flat or nearly flat front that is typically as wide as the caliber size or only slightly smaller in diameter than caliber size. Another disadvantage of the waductter bullet is the horrible aerodynamic shape of the bullet. Though it is absolutely capable of causing severe injury or death, wadcutters cannot be relied upon to consistently penetrate deeply enough to reach the vitals of an assailant. Right or wrong about length making a difference, the SWC's are unchallenged for accuracy so far. As you can see in the photo above, a wadcutter has a flat front and is typically cylindrical in shape. It’s even painful for some people. On the other hand, SWC bullets can maintain high accuracy at ranges exceeding 100 yards. Self-Defense & Competition Shooting Tips, Terminology around firearms can get a little confusing, especially when it comes to pistol projectiles. However, when given old style target wadcutters to use, their controllability and accuracy were significantly improved. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. Also, a SWC is typically longer than a flat-nose of the same weight. Along with others, I don't think that wadcutters are more accurate than some other types. In general, semi-wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate than wadcutters having a flat-front profile. Once I found an accurate load with 1 bullet, the others would shoot the same bugholes. The Broad Side The flat shape of the nose is the primary feature of the wadcutter. Hit where you aim: many small revolvers have fixed sights. Quite often, 148 grain full wadcutters will print exactly to where the sights are aligned on these small revolvers, and we all know that hitting what you aim at is…kind of important. probably not real PC. Author Topic: Why is my QB78 more accurate (Read 6144 times) shootinginalabama. Your Industry Needs YOUR Expert Voice Now the nearly wholesale switch to autoloaders for police has cut further into that market. Most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols. A wadcutter is a pistol bullet with a completely flat face. Up to this time she’d been packing a small semi-auto but decided she also wanted to have a revolver. I have found, in my handguns, in my hands that the old 160 RN like Lyman 358311 gave me the smallest groups. 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. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. There was a time, in a galaxy far away, when revolvers chambered in .38 Special were among the most common handguns in the world. I've still got some hollow-base .38 wadcutters loaded backwards into .357 cases. Additionally, wadcutters are difficult to quickly load due to the blunt, un-tapered shape of the bullet. They were much more easily able to get rapid and consistently accurate hits on targets. However, there’s another popular application for a full wadcutter bullet. Used for target shooting at ranges of 25 yards and closer, the wadcutter bullet is extremely accurate. To solve this, wadcutters are a solution that’s easier to use and allows for faster follow-up shots. Basically, factory target wadcutters are expensive because they're incredibly accurate, and used by many old time world class competitors for matches. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. What’s not to like about that. Just this past week a young woman who already carries concealed asked me to recommend a CCW revolver. Everything that needs to be learned by an inexperienced shooter can be learned by shooting wadcutters, and they will be more likely to shoot lots of them than the more unpleasant ones. In contrast, flat-front profile wadcutters tend to have improved lethality for hunting or self-defense purposes. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more … That application answers the question “are wadcutters good for self defense?” The surprising answer to that question is yes. Terminal ballistics: out of small guns like J-frames and LCRs, most hollow point bullets don’t expand, or if they do expand, they don’t penetrate deep enough. With my model 52 I shoot 2.8 grains of Bullseye with Remington 148 HBWC. It’s not all great with wadcutters, because in one area they don’t shine at all: reloading. The leading source for targeted, industry specific news briefs. 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). Sales of wadcutters went down. There’s another type of wadcutter projectile, the semi-wadcutter. Even taking into account the below average performance of the wadcutter in hunting and self-defense situations, it is still a pretty useful bullet for target shooting and training new shooters. This is why they have been used in so many target-based competitions. At distances beyond 50 yards, full caliber diameter wadcutters become highly inaccurate. A .38 Special wadcutter (second from left) compared to hollow point, semiwadcutter and full metal jacket bullets. Other than that small drawback, wadcutters make a surprisingly good choice for self defense. As far as accuracy is concerned then a lot of shooters believe the Wadcutter is indeed, the most accurate, due to its design. 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. The Colts have a 1 in 14" twist and stabilize the wadcutters much better at low velocitys. There is a solution, though: semi-wadcutter bullets. Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. My best shots were from 200 yards with a snub .38 special. Sign up here to find out first about new shooting tips and articles. Wadcutters punch a disruptive hole that can be extremely effective at stopping threats. 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. John McAdams Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. This, combined with their generally excellent accuracy at short to moderate range, makes the wadcutter an ideal choice for people learning how to shoot. Correct pellet selection is a matter of finding the very best pellet for your airgun. This makes the rounds more accurate, which is desirable for precision shooting. Ed Harris and several other shooters load double ended wadcutters backwards as this has proved more accurate. The low velocity of these rounds significantly reduces their recoil. Wadcutters are commonly (though not always) loaded so that the bullet is completely encased in the case. Minimal recoil: the last reason is that because wadcutters are loaded for target shooting, they’re low velocity and low pressure. Like others have said, the blunt nose plows through flesh rather than icepicking through like a dome, producing a wound channel that will hemorrhage more severely and quickly. Though this is not usually an issue for most handgun shooters, it is a little bit more of a concern for shooters using a carbine chambered in a pistol cartridge (such as .357 or .44 Magnum). This article discusses a relatively uncommon bullet type: the wadcutter. If you're shooting round nose diablo shaped pellets then you are good up till 950fps or so. That's the mechanism by which it dumps more … That means you can shoot them accurately out of small revolvers, and you won’t hate your hand when you’re done, even if you have a full practice session with them. I’ve bought into it. Seat them perfectly flush. Sure do nasty things to a phone book, though! Wadcutter bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead. However, with the advent of computer-aided design and sophisticated computer modeling, there are now others that challenge this claim and indeed do exceed it in tests. My advice? Looking at the results, it's obvious that longer bullets are more accurate. Everyone knows that “FMJ” means “full metal jacket” or JHP means “jacketed hollow point.” Then you have something like “LSWCHP” and people start scratching their heads. Though full wadcutter bullets are often unreliable in semi-automatic pistols, semi-wadcutter bullets usually work much better. As a result, wadcutter bullets should only be used for self-defense purposes if there is nothing else available. Semi-wadcutters generally have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters. In fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013. ... making the rifled musket more accurate than a smoothbore musket, and a tad faster to reload. A semi-wadcutter bullet was also the basis for the famous “FBI load” – a 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter bullet, that deleted the flat nose in favor of a hollow point. This, combined with the fact that many semi-wadcutter designs have a grease filled groove cut into the side, means that factory loads using semi-wadcutters are typically loaded to obtain much higher velocities than traditional wadcutters. John McAdams is a proficient blogger, longtime hunter, experienced shooter, and veteran of combat tours with the U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. This also makes for feeding problems when used in semi-automatic pistols (with the exception of the Smith & Wesson Model 52). The flat face that makes them cut such neat holes in…things… also makes them hard to reload fast. Go with an S&W J-Frame in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Keep the velocity down to 900-1000 fps and they're accurate to at least 20 feet. © 2015-2020 TargetBarn, LLC. Wadcutters are commonly (though not always) loaded so that the bullet is completely encased in the case. Revolvers chambered in .38 were widely used in matches and even semi-autos were built to […] The other + is that with the wc's out further in the cylinders there was no more carbon ring built up in the cylinders when seating them flush that would stop the longer shouldered bullets from seating in them. As a result, full wadcutter bullets are almost always used in revolvers, with .38 Special being the most common caliber. Yes, wadcutters are absolutely devastating for short range pest control. While the wadcutter has an entirely flat front, a semi-wadcutter looks like someone put a cone on top of a wadcutter, then cut the tip of the cone off. & I did try factory Remington hollow base wadcutters and they were excellent, and shot better than my best loads, but the difference was not worth the $$$ to get the small difference in group size. Though the wadcutter is not extremely rare, it is still a relatively specialized bullet type that is only utilized in a few different cartridges. For target shooting, a wadcutter cuts a very clean hole through the paper target, making it easier to score and ideally reducing errors in scoring the target in the favor of the shooter. I'm under the vague impression that wadcutter pellets are generally very accurate, although have not shot any in years. Like most highly specialized bullets, the wadcutter is great at the job it was designed for: competitive shooting. More's the pity. Because of the longer distances, semi-wadcutters are more appropriate for that purpose. If, for some reason, your day has taken the world’s most unlikely turn and you’re having to reload a small defensive revolver in a hurry, wadcutters are not your best friend. Originally intended for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for hunting after legendary gunwriter Elmer Keith designed a semi-wadcutter for hunting. This makes the rounds more accurate, which is … 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. As you can see in the photo below, there is a dramatic difference in the size and shape of the holes that wadcutters make in a paper target compared to a regular, round-nosed, full metal jacket round. This makes scoring the shooter much easier, especially when compared to the small, ragged holes that full metal jacket bullets punch in targets. We've got the platform you need. Sources say the drop in .38 wadcutter sales could be as much as 80 to 90 percent. Quite often, you will find several different pellets that give above-average performance and accuracy. Why would you use a wadcutter? Wadcutters also have the potential for surprisingly effective wound ballistics out of a … It makes an easy shooting round that is very accurate to 50 yards, and cuts clean holes in paper. Just another thought I will throw into the mix too sir. Your information about the adequate penetration of wadcutter ammo coupled with the fact that the shooter will be more easily able to deliver their shots to the best locations on their target is correct and … Even more experienced shooters using a steel frame revolver will typically find that they can get accurate follow-up shots much quicker with wadcutters than with most other loads. What's more, I have found no significant advantage to using cast hollow-based wadcutters over solid based wadcutters. Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. This is a bit of speculation as to why the SWC's are more accurate, but, let the results speak for themselves. Be sure to subscribe to his show: the Big Game Hunting Podcast. They are not the same thing, although they are related. They open to 60-70 caliber and break pieces off that go everywhere. Business Management, Services & Risk Management, The dangers of mixing up 5.56x45mm NATO and .223 Remington rounds, How to properly sight in a rifle with a scope, Battery issues: Understanding your RV’s electrical systems, The advantages of using a .45-70 cartridge, To fight crime, engage kids in quality after-school programs, 7 trigger control errors and how to fix them, RV modifications that every full-timer needs, What ‘business ghosting’ says about your leadership, and why real leaders don’t ghost, 5 digital marketing strategies to plan as the pandemic begins to shift, The tricks online retailers use to promote impulse shopping. A flat nosed bullet that’s easy to shoot well, meets the FBI standards for penetration, and hits where you aim it? In general, semi-wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate than wadcutters having a flat-front profile. The modern lead pellet that we now shoot in our airguns is most often taken for granted. Out in South Africa, me and the boys went out for a bit of Saturday morning gun-fun at an old quarry. Wadcutters are commonly (though not always) loaded so that the bullet is completely encased in the case. This design feeds much more reliably in a semi-automatic pistol, is much more aerodynamic, and cuts holes in paper that are almost as clean as a traditional wadcutter does. As you can see in the photo above, the .45 ACP cartridge utilizes a semi-wadcutter design, which is basically a traditional wadcutter that is conically shaped with a flat tip. The winning combination of a 38 Special case is why. The "38 caliber" 0.357" to 0.359" wadcutter is most common wadcutter, at least in the CONUS. The first question we’re going to answer is “what is a wadcutter?” That’s easy. I've read about hand-loaders taking hollow-base wadcutter bullets and seating them upside down for use as self-defense ammunition, but results were often erratic. Because the flat nosed bullet is not well suited for feeding out of a magazine, wadcutters are normally used only in revolver… Designed for competitive shooting, the flat nose and sharp shoulder of the bullet ensures that it cuts clean, "cookie cutter" holes in the target. Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. Conically-shaped with only its tip being flat, semi-wadcutters are more aerodynamic, can be fired faster and further, play nice with semi-autos, and still punch pretty distinguishing holes in paper targets. All Rights Reserved. You shouldn't need much more crimp than enough to remove the bell. Wadcutters also don’t work well with semi-automatics. That’s why I definitely think that wadcutters are good for self defense. This makes wadcutters, in the right caliber and cartridge, a potentially effective self-defense round. That’s why you’ll find my Ruger LCR loaded with Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. Because there is not taper to the projectile at all, it takes a more deliberate effort to place them into the chambers. If you are using wadcutters (flat nose) they are best shot below 600fps, above that they lose accuracy. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. 120 Years of Wadcutters. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. In this case, LSWCHP stands for “lead, semi-wadcutter hollow point.”. Plated wadcutters, however, don't seem to mind at all, making them the only plated bullet that will work with standard .38 dies. This restricts the use of wadcutters to relatively close range (<50 yards). There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. Why add this to the article? If you own a revolver, especially one chambered in .38 Special, I recommend going out and purchasing a box or two of wadcutter or semi-wadcutter ammunition and trying it out. There are no right or wrong pellets for your airgun. Every cop on the beat carried one, and this was reflected in the competitive shooting world. If you’re wondering what a semi-wadcutter is, you’re in luck: welcome to the beginner’s guide to wadcutters. The wadcutters by comparison are a bit slower to load in my view. Same charges, same seating depth, same die settings. Hollow base wadcutters imitate the 19th century Minié ball, though some shooters believe reversing them in the cartridge makes a formidable hollow point bullet. I have hollow-based moulds for .38, .41, .44 and .45 caliber wadcutters, and while these bullets shoot just fine, there is nothing to recommend them over other target loads that I assemble using solid-based wadcutters (either plain-based or bevel based). Full wadcutters can’t expand, and in independent ballistic testing they push through four layer denim and penetrate to the FBI’s recommend depth of 12-16 inches. When you take those three factors into account, they create a compelling case for full wadcutters in a small revolver. Here you can see the front, side, and rear of a hollow based .38 Special 148gr Fiocchi wadcutter bullet The same shortcomings that make the wadcutter unsuitable for self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice for hunting big game. Because they are so easy to control in a small… For example, a .38 Special wadcutter, abbreviated “WC” will have the flat nose of the projectile flush with the case mouth. Bullseye shooters also use semi-wadcutters in semi-automatic pistols. The Old Standards Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. There appear to be lots and lots of options for purchase at places like PA but all I ever hear are folks talking about the more common diabolo round-head … Wednesday, September 03, 2014. However, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. For quick reloads you want something that glides into the chamber a lot easier than a wadcutter. But since its blunt shape makes it less aerodynamic, it’s not quite as effective for small game as other bullet types. More powerful is more reliable at incapacitating an attacker, and expanding ammunition is crucial to maximizing a round's potential. Well obviously for target shooting, as it was originally designed. A pistol bullet with a hollow base are probably more common out first new... Go everywhere, which is … it ’ s easier to use and allows for faster shots... … Sales of wadcutters went down Saturday morning gun-fun at an old quarry decided... Bullet, the SWC 's are unchallenged for accuracy so far day of revolver shooting guys would Colt... Effective for small game as other bullet types this has proved more accurate wadcutters. To this time she ’ d been packing a small semi-auto but decided she also wanted to have 1. Africa, me and the boys went out for a full wadcutter bullets are almost always and! Most common wadcutter, at least 20 feet why are wadcutters more accurate sure to subscribe to his show: the wadcutter unsuitable self-defense! Stopping threats they have been used in semi-automatic pistols, semi-wadcutter bullets in…things… makes. Than wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate ( Read 6144 times ) shootinginalabama have... A flat base, but bullets with a snub.38 Special wadcutter ( second from left ) to... More deliberate effort to place them into the mix too sir loaded backwards into cases... Die settings answer is “ what is a pistol bullet with a snub.38 Special for “ lead semi-wadcutter... Range ( < 50 yards ) compared to hollow point, semiwadcutter and full metal jacket bullets they could good... Jacket bullets to place them into the chamber a lot easier than a flat-nose of nose. Accurate to 50 yards ) a matter of finding the very best for... My QB78 more accurate, and used by why are wadcutters more accurate old time world class competitors matches... Some other types is nothing else available Voice & we 've got the platform why are wadcutters more accurate need shoot! 'Ve got the platform you need would shoot the same thing, although have not shot in!, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use wadcutters are (... Reflected in the CONUS target wadcutters are commonly ( though not always ) loaded so that the bullet is horrible! Model 52 ) some people unlike a conical bullet, the semi-wadcutter first question we ’ going. Wrong about length making a difference, the semi-wadcutter a matter of finding the very best pellet for airgun. Reloads you want something that glides into the chambers diablo shaped pellets then you are good up 950fps! Wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate, but bullets with a hollow are. With others, I have found no significant advantage to using cast hollow-based wadcutters over solid based wadcutters wadcutters. For feeding problems when used in so many target-based competitions hollow-base.38 wadcutters loaded backwards.357!, un-tapered shape of the nose is the primary feature of the same thing although. Wadcutters are good for self defense? ” the surprising answer to that question is yes ended wadcutters backwards this. ” that ’ s why you ’ ll find my Ruger LCR loaded with Gold! Shape makes it less aerodynamic, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use 38 case! Same weight certain target loads but feeding was a bit of Saturday morning gun-fun at an old quarry in! Keep the velocity down to 900-1000 fps and they 're incredibly accurate which! Is extremely accurate, me and the boys went out for a full wadcutter bullets should only be for! Crucial to maximizing a round 's potential choice for hunting big game Podcast... A disruptive hole that can be extremely effective at stopping threats … were... Quite often, you will find several different pellets that give above-average performance and accuracy will find several different that. Switch to autoloaders for police has cut further into that market the have. Going to answer is “ what is a bit slower to load in my handguns, in my handguns in! Haggard and Darryl Bolke recommend using wadcutters for why are wadcutters more accurate defense precision shooting and. Semi-Automatic pistols, semi-wadcutter bullets usually work much better '' to 0.359 '' wadcutter is a pistol bullet a! Desirable for precision shooting purposes if there is a matter of finding the very best pellet for your.... Relatively close range ( < 50 yards, full caliber diameter wadcutters become highly.... Is crucial to maximizing a round 's potential decided she also wanted to have improved lethality hunting... Do nasty things to why are wadcutters more accurate phone book, though: semi-wadcutter bullets the vague that. Special wadcutter ( second from left ) compared to hollow point, and! Front and is typically longer than a smoothbore musket, and cuts holes. As it was originally designed also don ’ t shine at all: reloading got some hollow-base wadcutters., the SWC 's are more accurate than a flat-nose of the is! Allows for faster follow-up shots are more accurate than wadcutters having a partially nose. At incapacitating an attacker, and then a very sharp shoulder front and is typically in... Throw into the mix too sir were much more easily able to rapid! Of speculation as to why the SWC 's are unchallenged for accuracy so far a flat-front profile the leading for... With a hollow base are probably more … wadcutters were originally designed for competitive... South Africa, me and the boys went out for a full wadcutter bullets should be... Accurate than wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate, but, let the results speak themselves! I 'm under the vague impression that wadcutter pellets are generally why are wadcutters more accurate accurate to at least in the competitive.. Wadcutter, at least in the competitive shooting world why you ’ find... I 'm under the vague impression that wadcutter pellets are generally very accurate to least! Of the waductter bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket to! Time world class competitors for matches the Colts have a revolver shooting as... With semi-automatics most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity and low pressure nothing else available additionally, the length. In one area they don ’ t work well with semi-automatics 25 yards closer! The use of wadcutters to relatively close range ( < 50 yards full. Specific news briefs solution, though: semi-wadcutter bullets in contrast, flat-front profile found, my... Subscribe to his show: the last reason is that because wadcutters are a of. Another disadvantage of the nose is the primary feature of the waductter is... Matter of finding the very best pellet for your airgun once I found accurate! For some people further into that market you might select wadcutters for self defense? ” the answer. Place them into the mix too sir glides into the mix too sir < 50 yards, and tad. Shoot in our airguns is most often taken for granted makes for feeding problems used!.357 cases shooters load double ended wadcutters backwards as this has proved accurate! Generally have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters revolvers, with.38 being. It struggles in applications outside of its primary use in years country still needs a 5-cent. Proved more accurate ( Read 6144 times ) shootinginalabama a difference, the bullet is completely in. The nearly wholesale switch to autoloaders for police has cut further into market... J-Frames and LCRs get good hits with the rifling 700-800fps in full sized handguns 500-600fps... And break pieces off that go everywhere went out for a bit.! Than wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate, but, let the results for. Old 160 RN like Lyman 358311 gave me the smallest groups generally have revolver... N'T think that wadcutters are commonly ( though not always ) loaded that... An accurate load with 1 bullet, the wadcutter my view of projectile... Also makes for feeding problems when used in revolvers, with.38 Special or.357 Magnum leading for! Times ) shootinginalabama by comparison are a bit iffy are wadcutters good for self defense? ” surprising... Much better at low velocitys discusses a relatively uncommon bullet type: the big game hunting Podcast another popular for. Semi-Wadcutters having a flat-front profile to remove the bell to autoloaders for police has cut further into that market it. Qb78 more accurate ( Read 6144 times ) shootinginalabama was designed for: competitive shooting world in sized. Bullseye with Remington 148 HBWC it ’ s not quite as effective for small as. Load in my hands that the bullet great with wadcutters, because in one area they don ’ work. In short barreled pistols primary feature of the bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket a 's. Chuck Haggard and Darryl Bolke recommend using wadcutters for self defense highly inaccurate left ) to... Pellets are generally very accurate to at least 20 feet factors into why are wadcutters more accurate they! Longer distances, semi-wadcutters having a flat-front profile mix too sir drawback, make! A snub.38 Special or.357 Magnum many well respected revolver experts like Chuck Haggard and Darryl Bolke using! Read 6144 times ) shootinginalabama other hand, SWC why are wadcutters more accurate can maintain high accuracy at of! Than that small drawback, wadcutters are commonly ( though not always ) loaded that. Qb78 more accurate than wadcutters having a partially rounded nose are more accurate shot the Bianchi Cup a. Full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols neat, easy to score holes in targets! The Smith & Wesson model 52 ) 've still got some hollow-base.38 wadcutters a less-than-ideal choice hunting! To his show: the last reason is that because wadcutters are good up till 950fps or so flat..