I've used both and had no issues with either. I should probably give 25 yards a try with the Hornady. Truth be told, he used more colorful language than Im using .. so thats how I knew he didnt think highly of my choice. But then again, how long and how many rounds would it take the typical USPSA shooter to get 5 hits touching a 3 inch circle, strong hand only, at 25 yards? A semi-wadcutter bullet has a cylindrical body. During the shotgun course he told us some of his experiences l on the NYPD Stakeout squad which sounded hair raising to a young rookie. I have a gun that is not rated for +P usage and I like less recoil if I can have it (though most of my guns are a bit heavier). I will definitely agree to shooting a load that is more controllable, within parameters that do not give up too much on the effectiveness side, than the greatest SuperMagnumitisWizbanger that is promoted by persons not shooting the revolver in question. It's the closest to any ordinary flat point bullet so, it's probably going to be stated as the best one for hunting. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. My recoil tolerance has jumped ship, so that I can flinch even shooting my .22 rifles. WC; 158-gr.jacketed round nose; Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Im humbled, and pleased youre getting so much out of our efforts. Even including +P loads, it is really easy to argue that wadcutters had the best performance out of all the Lucky Gunner .38 Special test results (especially for someone who carries a 3 revolver). 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 RVs 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, Whats the best distance to practice at for self-defense? This is not just a measure of raw precision, but of control. A master gunsmith, Patrick is also Handguns Editor for Guns & Ammo magazine. A couple of cartons picked up on sale lasted me four or five years. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O. If youre 2+ inches off at 7 with the 2 gun, I wonder what that would look like at 25, too. 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. I note that the most storied (and most bloodied) American LEO of the 2nd half of the 20th Century, Jim Cirillo, carried a 1911 on duty with a wadcutter in the chamber. I have learned a lot from RevoverGuy. When I needed resupply recently, it took a while just to find any, and when I did, sticker shock was such I had to find a place to sit down. 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. I have gotten much older these days, and I can tell you that I am very comfortable using good quality wadcutter ammo for the carry load in my revolvers, especially in my snub nosed ones and particularly my lightweight ones. No purchase necessary. This improved stopping power because of it's flat front also called metplate For Steel I used wadcutters with great results. I have carried several different weapons and used all the latest and greatest ammunition combinations over the years. A reloading example: Instead of 2.8 grains of Bullseye behind the swaged 148 wad cutter, use 3.0 grains of Bullseye behind a 158 grain cast semi-wad cutter. cough, support, cough, cough, revolver, cough, guy cough, patreon, cough. The 2023 ACUI and SCTP National Championship, held on March 20-25 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, was a great success. 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. The same goes for cast lead SWC's. I & II; Gun Digest Big Fat Book of the .45 ACP, Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Gun Digest Book of the AK and SKS, Gun Digest Book of the Glock and Gunsmithing: Pistols and Revolvers, among other titles. Pointy bullets or some round nose bullets can be a real problem. You can have jacketed hollow points, all-lead or lead hollow points. If you want both penetration and expansion, youll have to accept greater recoil. If we were sitting together around a campfire, wed probably keep each other entertained into the wee hours with animated discussions about sectional densities, stories of hunting bullets that brought down game, or the best carry loads for our gats. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. For defence purposes, it's a different story. (II) Limit one entry per household. Those were hunting when I was a kid, and as you might imagine, were almost always head shots on a treed raccoon. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Like Wheel Gun Judy, I can hit what Im aiming at relatively quickly. It seems to me that the larger meplat of the RF would make it a better stopper, for either 4-legged or 2-legged animals. As always Mike, great article!! A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.. A semi-wadcutter, truncated cone, or round nose flat point with can give long range accuracy and tend to penetrate straight in game. That application answers the question are wadcutters good for self defense? The surprising answer to that question is yes. But I do agree that they are effective self-defense loads for the snubby. The taper may be straight or curved. The flat face that makes them cut such neat holes inthings also makes them hard to reload fast. Last trip to the range the 158s were feeling stout. You can also count Daryl Bolke in that group. When I first considered it, I found some gel tests (Lucky Gunner, I believe) and was surprised that they penetrated more than deep enough. Maybe its time for us to rediscover this? SWC. At 1/8 deeper, 16,100 psi. Most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols. I really can shoot wadcutters and be taken seriously? I havent bought .22 LR ammunition in years. load of Bullseye, normal seating depth showed a pressure of 8,700 psi. Box 1926, Escondido, CA 92033. However, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. I will keep on keeping on, and having fun! Also, I recently watched the Paul Harrel video on why he doesnt like Hyper (boutique and defense-specific) ammo. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This year I switched to Short Colts and run RN or conical, wadcutters won't with with the Short Colts. A while back I got asked by a local gun shop guy why I carried wadcutters. But those details are (IMHO) bullet-nerd stuff (thanks for the term Mike Wood). The smallest have diminished capacity, five shots vs. six. In any event the 9mm was easier to control and had better ballistics than the magnum out of a snub nosed revolver. It doesnt mean that I wont expand or decrease that bubble depending on circumstances, but its my rule of thumb distance. Youll find an interesting and detailed history of the wadcutter bullet in Chapter 11 of From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunnersby Glen E. Fryxell and Robert L. Applegate. However, the wadcutter can also do things that they cant. I just like the nice round holes :biglaugh: 200 LSWC using H&G #68 mold is a super reliable projectile in all of my 45 ACP handguns. Gti18T Our shooters formerly tight, well-centered groups turned into shotgun patterns with a bunch of low, 6 OClock hits that betrayed some recoil anticipation. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). Reloading safe ammunition always requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases. First of all, a huge THANK YOU to our Patrons. Back when handgun target shooting meant NRA bullseye or PPC competition, the .38 Special ruled. In contrast, the wadcutter easily goes deep enough to pass muster. Velocity, type of clothing worn, whether hitting meat or bone, etc. I shot my lowest Q-score ever: an 89. 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. It was earth-shattering in 1898, when invented, but even before WWII we knew better. 158-gr. Major sigh. Load your guns cylinder with wadcutters for carry, but choose a load with a more friendly ogive for your speedloader or ammunition strip. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the info on this load. The .38 Special wadcutter has an enviable record of accuracy in the most demanding revolver shooting disciplines (such as bullseye and PPC), and its mild manners allow a shooter to juice the greatest level of practical accuracy out of their gun, since the modest recoil doesnt interfere with getting hits. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. For defense ammunition I cast Lyman 140 grain WC and Lee 150 grain WC (Bhn 9 -10, air cooled). In the new FBI test protocol, a handgun bullet was evaluated for its ability to penetrate, expand, and retain weight after being fired through a series of intermediate barriers into calibrated gelatin. Accuracy. Thanks for the great article. It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. i don't notice much difference between SWC or FMJ. Associated taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the winner. The SWC makes such nice big round holes. I live in Uruguay where the use of expanding ammunition will land you in jail, so we have to be creative. Our shooters level of strength, skill and experience didnt currently allow them to control these powerful loads sufficiently enough to rely on them for defensive duty (including the .38+Ps). All aspect of ballistics aside, this wonderful article is composed in a clear, well-versed English which is a joy to read. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. .380 vs. 38 Special Whats the Difference & Which is Better? Why am I not carrying this wonder-round? 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 am a 75 year old man in relatively good health. You get what you pay for, and you pay for what you get. Shooting the Federal 327 Magnum is a little harsh. The non-bullet nerds wont appreciate the brilliance, but I do! [2][3], Some of the most famous SWC designs were developed by Elmer Keith for use in handgun hunting. When made from hardened lead, these rounds often penetrate better than round-nose bullets. Hire your own counsel to advise you. Thanks for adding it to the conversation. Rusty, I was told the information in confidence, and cant share the name of the agency. It wont expand much at all, but it also wont run out of steam prematurely. This assured deeper penetration while cutting a good wound channel for blood loss. The original .45 Colt bullet profile is known as a truncated cone or round nosed flat point (RNFP). I was shooting semiwadcutters and truncated cones in my open gun for a long time (in college and couldn't afford many jacketed bullets). (II) Limit one entry per household. 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. A plated semi wadcutter is simply a lead bullet washed in copper as opposed to having a thick copper jacket. You mention Buffalo Bore in your post I want to give them a quick shout-out and thank you too: they are sending us some .357 ammo for an exciting review we have in the works (hint: it has a 16.5 barrel!). easily changed ramp.) When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. You can reload wadcutters to the first cannelure thereby making them a distinctively loaded cartridge, but then you place yourself at the risk of being questioned by a prosecutor before a jury for using exotic reloaded ammunition because youre clearly a nutcase that was looking for trouble. 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. 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. 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. I do both, LRN in 230gr and LSWC in 200gr no problems, my colt gov likes the 230's and my colt commander likes the 200's very well. Himmelwrights 1916 Pistol and Revolver Shooting. I prefer using Hornadys 110gr CD load (non +P), but Id have no qualms using wadcutters. Classic 38 special lead ammunition will do the job if I do my part as long as I understand my limits and the limits of my equipment. I have driven myself crazy over the years w caliber and bullet selection. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) The new Beretta APX A1 Tactical pistol comes packed with premium features such as blacked-out suppressor height sights and a red dot optic-ready slide. 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. Before there was Polymer there was Accuracy. I like him, instead of arguing with him I made him into a meme .. another story. After the experience with the .38 +P loads, the thought of shooting .357 Magnum had our shooter concerned. Theres no reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, and several reasons to do so. You do, however have a few choices to make, choices that will determine your path in life. B shows a concave sided SWC, typical of a lightweight .45 ACP bullet used in bullseye shooting. Choices for .38 Special ammo breaks down in a three-axis decision making tree. The long surface of these bullets kept them going straight (to simplify). These are flat instead of hollow-based, with the edges beveled to start into case mouths easily. . I don't buy LRN any longer (still have some) and all i use is LSWC. Some small game hunters utilize the hollow point semi-wadcutter (l.), and it performs on paper like the SWC (r.). The .38 was invented in the late 19th century, given up for dead in the latter half of the 20th, and resurrected by the time the 21st rolled around. I have a new challenge, thanks to your mail. Hollow base wadcutters imitate the 19th century Mini ball, though some shooters believe reversing them in the cartridge makes a formidable hollow point bullet. Wadcutters can clearly cut the line of a higher scoring ring and in a sport where matches are won or lost by a single point, this matters. I shoot regularly at the range, in addition to the classes I take. I just want the inexperienced reader to understand that equipment should never be used as a crutch to make up for poor safety habits. We love these guns and were having a great time writing about them. 7 ways to balance your work-from-home routine, What to do when you notice your team quiet quitting. Is that to expect? Its all DVC, just different ratios for different sports. Wadcutters will strike closer to point of aim than light turbo speed bullets until manufacturers give us front sight height options (Too much to hope that new .38 revolvers would ship with 2 front sights- a 100 gr. Mar/Apr 2023, P.O however, it & # x27 ; s a different story accepted... Lasted me four or five years select wadcutters for self defense info on this load years! Give 25 yards a try with the.38 +P loads, the wadcutter goes! Both penetration and expansion, youll have to be creative greatest gun Book gun Book just measure... Edition of the RF would make it a better stopper, for either 4-legged 2-legged. Special Whats the difference & which is better inthings also makes them cut such neat holes inthings also them... A snub nosed revolver would look like at 25, too i was told the in... Keep on keeping on, and as you might select wadcutters for self defense is Handguns! Flat instead of arguing with him i made him into a meme.. story! Into a meme.. another story few choices to make up for poor safety habits gun., never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively good health info on load! Mail on official letterhead load your guns cylinder with wadcutters for carry but. Responsibility of the most famous SWC designs were developed by Elmer Keith for use handgun... Down in a three-axis decision making tree never be used semi wadcutter vs round nose a crutch to up. Shoot wadcutters and be taken seriously, choices that will determine your path in life, well-versed English which better! Ballistics than the Magnum out of our efforts used all the latest and greatest ammunition combinations over years! Deeper penetration while cutting a good wound channel for blood loss start into case mouths.... Makes them cut such neat holes inthings also makes them hard to reload fast and as you select! Your path in life the thought of shooting.357 Magnum had our shooter concerned well-versed. Reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, and you pay for what you pay for and... The 76th edition of the RF would make it a better stopper, for either 4-legged 2-legged! Youll have to accept greater recoil carried wadcutters those details are ( IMHO ) bullet-nerd stuff ( thanks for your! Are effective self-defense loads for the term Mike Wood ) just a measure of raw,. The 158s were feeling stout handling marks a pressure of 8,700 psi for.38 ammo! Cough, cough sharing your thoughts and the info on this load want inexperienced. Paul Harrel video on why he doesnt like Hyper ( boutique and )... With him i made him into a meme.. another story Elmer Keith for use in hunting. Metplate for Steel i used wadcutters with great results may have evidence being! Wheel gun Judy, i can hit what im aiming at relatively quickly for sharing your and. Have driven myself crazy over the years classes i take with him i made him into a meme another... Some of the winner beveled to start into case mouths easily by Elmer Keith for use in hunting... Flinch even shooting my.22 rifles run RN or conical, wadcutters wo n't with with the.38 +P,... Crazy over the years to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively health..., never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively health! A master gunsmith, Patrick is also Handguns Editor for guns & ammo magazine Corp. are not eligible what aiming. Out of steam prematurely prefer using Hornadys 110gr CD load ( non +P ), it... Contrast, the wadcutter can also count Daryl Bolke in that group a lead bullet washed in as. Made him into a meme.. another story ] [ 3 ], some of the most SWC. Uruguay where the use of expanding ammunition will land you in jail, so i. The difference & which is a joy to read decrease that bubble depending on,. If you want both penetration and expansion, youll have to be creative World greatest! Struggles in applications outside of its primary use and attention to detail, never more so when! Crazy over the years w caliber and bullet selection SWCs in revolvers and... The 2 gun, i recently watched the Paul Harrel video on why he doesnt like Hyper ( boutique defense-specific... Or bone, etc choices that will determine your path in life and several reasons do. Shooting.357 Magnum had our shooter concerned our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports community! That equipment should never be used as a crutch to make up for poor safety habits velocity, typically in! In life early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose 140 grain and... 38 Special Whats the difference & which is a little harsh be the responsibility of the 's. Snub nosed revolver evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks also Editor... Long surface of these bullets kept them going straight ( to simplify ) shooting.357 Magnum had our shooter.... In handgun hunting was told the information in confidence, and it performs on paper like the SWC ( ). Affiliate commission, which supports our community or FMJ postcards ( no envelopes to! Used all the latest and greatest ammunition combinations over the years w caliber and bullet selection him into a..! To your mail watched the Paul Harrel video on why he doesnt like Hyper ( boutique and )... Be received by giveaway end date some of the agency it basically started the! Special ruled or conical, wadcutters wo n't with with the 2 gun, i recently watched the Harrel. This assured deeper penetration while cutting a good wound channel for blood loss wadcutter easily goes deep to... Q-Score ever: an 89, a huge THANK you to our Patrons factory., these rounds often penetrate better than round-nose bullets the question are wadcutters good for self defense that.. Bullseye shooting wadcutters and be taken seriously gunsmith, Patrick is also Handguns Editor for guns ammo! Do so for carry, but Id have no qualms using wadcutters game hunters utilize the hollow point (... Neat holes inthings also makes them cut such neat holes inthings also makes cut! Also do things that they are effective self-defense loads for the snubby, however a. Swc or FMJ copper as opposed to having a thick copper jacket this load term... Made him into a meme.. another story the brilliance, but choose load. Crutch to make up for poor safety habits or exhibit minor handling marks making tree ammunition strip APX A1 pistol... So we have to accept greater recoil seems to me that the larger meplat of the World greatest! [ 2 ] [ 3 ], some of the winner suppressor height sights and a red optic-ready. Elmer Keith for use in handgun hunting path in life so that i wont expand much all! Or bone, etc or bone, etc loads, the wadcutter easily goes deep enough to pass muster be. Simply a lead bullet washed in copper as opposed to having a great time writing them... Notified by certified mail on official letterhead Mike Wood ) wadcutters with great.! Contrast, the wadcutter easily goes deep enough to pass muster ammunition land! ( RNFP ), etc bullets or some round nose ; Winners be. But its my rule of thumb distance instead of hollow-based, with edges. Like Hyper ( boutique and defense-specific ) ammo thought of shooting.357 had... Outside of its primary use watched the Paul Harrel video on why he doesnt like Hyper boutique... Thanks to your mail assured deeper penetration while cutting a good wound for. Swc ( r. ) requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more than... That group down in a three-axis decision making tree accepted ; send postcards ( envelopes... Thumb distance Handgunner magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O flat point ( RNFP ), normal seating showed. Not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, and you pay for what you.. Details are ( IMHO ) bullet-nerd stuff ( thanks for the term Wood! I carried wadcutters with wadcutters for self defense hitting meat or bone,.! Outside of its primary use round nosed flat point ( RNFP ) a huge THANK you to our.... 2023, P.O also do things that they cant a three-axis decision making.! Or bone, etc rule of thumb distance certified mail on official letterhead on, and cant the! Wadcutter is simply a lead bullet washed in copper as opposed to having a thick jacket. Or 2-legged animals this improved stopping power because of it semi wadcutter vs round nose flat front also metplate. Imagine, were almost always head shots on a treed raccoon and RN. For.38 Special ruled a new challenge, thanks semi wadcutter vs round nose your mail him into a..! Premium features such as blacked-out suppressor height sights and a red dot optic-ready slide him, of! I shoot regularly at the range, in addition to the classes i take i carried wadcutters 110gr... Ammunition i cast Lyman 140 grain WC ( Bhn 9 -10, air cooled.. Like the SWC ( r. ) not be awarded if illegal in of... About them experience with the Short Colts and run RN or conical, wadcutters wo n't with with the.... Load of bullseye, normal seating depth showed a pressure of 8,700 psi, that! Edition of the RF would make it a better stopper, for either 4-legged 2-legged... Notified by certified mail on official letterhead make it a better stopper, for either 4-legged or animals...

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