They also Thats why I definitely think that wadcutters are good for self defense. Major sigh. In fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013. For that matter so are wadcutters and semi-wadcutters. 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. It will get you some extra points during the course of a match by catching the perf on a target that the RN just can't do. Wheel Gun Judy, How could I not have noticed earlier? but the way i shoot, i don't think it'll help me out . 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. I do think the RN bullets are 100 percent more reliable in 100 percent of guns than the SWC bullets. Wadcutter bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead. Friend Mas Ayoob points to such notables as Duncan MacPherson, Dr. Gary Roberts, and Chuck Haggard as examples. Shooting the Federal 327 Magnum is a little harsh. Brinell hardness of 17 round-nose semi-wadcutter. Of course, to me, it would seem to make sense to carry the ammunition you practice with. Pasted as rich text. A typical modification is to alter the conical section to make the sides concave, to reduce the bullet mass, or convex, to increase it. Whats not to like? As far as accuracy, I don't think it's a bullet style question so much as what your gun likes question. Outstanding! Living tissue reacts very differently than processed meat, and Im not sure that shooting the latter is a meaningful test. I just loaded 6.2 grs ww 231 w/ 185 grs & 5.8 grs ww 231 w/ 200 grs. - Joseph Stalin and today's Democratic Party. Smith & Wesson .38 Special $415.56 guns.com. Thats an excellent point, Sir! I only remember seeing RNL. If you do not anticipate barriers, then you will be happy. Always great to see you here in these pages, Sir! Ha! I use it in my snubs, as it would hit hard and is very accurate. In contrast, the wadcutters sharp edge is more likely to cut the tissue at the outer edges, resulting in a more damaging, full-caliber channel. Designed for competitive shooting, the flat nose and sharp shoulder of the bullet ensures that it cuts clean, "cookie cutter" round holes in the target. You can only do so much inside a .38 Special case within SAAMI limits. The more I think about this subject, the more I am inclined to switch to wadcutters. The wadcutter cant achieve what they do, with its solid construction and low velocity. The difference is significant when needing to reload during a timed stage of a shooting competition. I think that the sharper the shoulder if the media requires cutting and tearing to get through.. the flatter nose will make more permanent cavity and penetrate more straight through to the possibly intended area. For years, the working load was a soft lead, cast or swaged 148-gr. like the nice round holes they cut. 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. A forum community dedicated to Glock firearm owners and enthusiasts. The bullet nerds may not like it much, but it will do the job if you can do your part.So, dont be too quick to dismiss the .38 wadcutter as a defensive round. The .357 Magnum earned its laurels when fired out of heavy, steel frame revolvers with 4 and 6 inch barrels, but when you put that much horsepower into a flyweight snub, it takes a very accomplished shooter to hang onto the reins and control it. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winner(s). A couple of cartons picked up on sale lasted me four or five years. Our shooters formerly tight, well-centered groups turned into shotgun patterns with a bunch of low, 6 OClock hits that betrayed some recoil anticipation. Ive noticed my 3K6s shoots much closer to POA than the 2 versionyet another reason to favor the 3 tube. No purchase necessary. was alleged to be that his crew came from the range and thats all they had with them. It's about scoring. 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. For range use, inexpensive ammo is just fine. thanks. bac1023 Registered Joined Sep 26, 2004 Display as a link instead, A very good instructor and nice guy. The low velocity of these rounds significantly reduces their recoil. I got tired of the Kentucky windage and painted my front sight to line up with POI as 7 yards. The first priority of defensive ammunition is reliability. . Then, pack the largest .38 revolver you can comfortably carry and conceal, and use the stoutest load in it that you can comfortably shoot. "You've got to stand from something, or you will fall for anything.". This improved stopping power because of it's flat front also called metplate. Its all DVC, just different ratios for different sports. Last trip to the range the 158s were feeling stout. A wadcutter is a cylindrical bullet with a flat, square nose. M36. The original load, a lead round-nose 158-grain bullet, was marginal as a stopper. However there are standounds for each. If I had not found RevolverGuy, with special kudos to Mike, I would be shooting ammo some person at the gun store told me was the latest and greatest and best SD ammo EVER. Theres no reason not to shoot SWCs in revolvers, and several reasons to do so. I live in Uruguay where the use of expanding ammunition will land you in jail, so we have to be creative. What a great community of shooters we have here. i don't notice much difference between SWC or FMJ. 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. 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. All my other guns are all steel and +p rated. It just took a long time to develop something better and get it out where it could be tested. Required fields are marked *. It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. Ammunition has changed very much since the 80,s and 90,s. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. The base of the cone is slightly smaller in diameter than the cylinder, leaving a sharp shoulder. As always Mike, great article!! (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. Like we all do, determine where point of impact relative to point of aim is depending on ammunition being used at a specific distance or distance range, 5-7 yards or 7-10 yards, etc. I could almost hear the sigh of relief through the wires when I told our friend that it wasnt necessary to carry Magnum ammo in a Magnum revolver, and that I wouldnt do it myself in the Ruger LCR. . Its refreshing that someone with your qualifications gives us down to earth, non-hyped information. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Not all SWC are created equal. Semi-wadcutters, however, can be more reliable in pistols and can sometimes be . Full wadcutters are fully seated inside the case with the case mouth crimped over the top of the bullet, though some may have a crimping groove just below the end of the bullet so that a small bit of bullet end protrudes from the case when properly seated. They offer more mass for more penetration, but you have to either give up velocity or accept a bit more recoil. 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. 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. Paul Harrell of YouTube fame has conducted extensive tests of various calibers vs his meat test, especially noting penetration. The 41 magnum (semi wad cutter) groups were a little bit bigger. 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. How about loading with wadcutters, and throwing a speed strip of the Hornady CDs in your pocket? 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. Thanks for mentioning that. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. However, I use the Buffalo Bore 150 grain hard cast wadcutter rather than the 148 grain target loads. Gti18T Im just not sure that doing so makes any real difference, and of course, liability. 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. They have developed various hollow points, etc. Load your guns cylinder with wadcutters for carry, but choose a load with a more friendly ogive for your speedloader or ammunition strip. As someone who currently works as a correctional officer and who has has experience with .38 special wadcutter rounds shot out of older model smith and wessons. As noted police trainer Evan Marshall is fond of saying, jello aint people, and theres a good chance that a slow speed, soft lead, wadcutter wont be the overpenetrator that some would lead us to believe. It sounds like were on the same page. Thanks LB! 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. I still use a lot of the 185gr Missouri Bullet "Button Bullet" as my tack driver load. Lets spotlight a few wadcutter designs. The wad cutter or semi-wad cutter cut a cleaner hole which is easier to see and score. I didnt see mentioned the sound pressure levels of a .357 vs .38 wadcutters. This improved stopping power because of it's flat front also called metplate For Steel I used wadcutters with great results. Wadcutters are fun for target, and are the best for teaching new shooters. With the carbine I have to single-load rounds as they dont feed reliably, but with their soft recoil and extreme accuracy they are fun to shoot. For range use, inexpensive ammo is just fine. Revenge travel: Making up for lost time, but at what cost? The heavyweights top out at the normal for .38 Special weight, 158 grains. Weve got to hit where our rounds are going to be most effective and the bullet must penetrate deeply enough to hit important stuff to be effective in those locations. Additionally, wadcutters are difficult to quickly load due to the blunt, un-tapered shape of the bullet. Thoughts on city living: If I'm at the dump and worried about all the rats, I don't think about how much ammo it takes to shoot them all, I just leave the dump. Without doubt, the single most popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision Pistol competitions is the wadcutter. Semi-Wadcutters in a tube feed magazine are a non issue. 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. Similar in concept, the HBWC is full diameter rather than undersize lathe Mini. Of course, this was in the pre vaping days, so the raccoons were really tough back then! Why am I not carrying this wonder-round? I have to confess that Im not familiar with Pauls meat test, but if it involves shooting butchered chunks of meat, then Im going to have to agree with Stuart. Jason Vanderbrink is the new CEO of Sporting Products at Vista Outdoor. Mike Wood is a bonafide revolver nut, a handgun, shotgun, and patrol rifle-certified law enforcement firearms instructor, and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the definitive study of the infamous, 1970 California Highway Patrol shootout in Newhall, California. I have greater accuracy and faster sight acquisition with that 38 than i do the glock. Contest void where prohibited by law. Id consider myself well-armed with a 155 grain wadcutter at 950-1050. 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. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. FMJ target. Id forgotten that Jim had written about thatI need to revisit his book! The leading source for targeted, industry-specific news briefs. 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. The original .45 Colt bullet profile is known as a truncated cone or round nosed flat point (RNFP). 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. I am PROUD to shoot wheel guns. One downside is the top part of the sight will block some of your sight picture so this might not work for you. Never underestimate shot placement no matter how big, bad and tough you are, and keep in mind that your open carry weapon could be taken and used against you. A long time ago, a cop friend told me to carry it with Speer Gold Dot HP 135 gr ammo. 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. Your targets tell the taleyoure very accurate with that combo, and have nothing to apologize about to the square gun brigade! I load to + P pressure and reach 800 F/S in my 2 Mod 60 and close to 850 F/S in my 3 Mod 60. for the most part, i would not worry about the high or low ones. Ive bought into it. If youre 2+ inches off at 7 with the 2 gun, I wonder what that would look like at 25, too. Indeed. Or just buy what's cheapest ? Editor's Notes: This article is an excerpt from Choosing Handgun Ammo: The Facts That Matter Most for Self-Defense by Patrick Sweeney. lead round nose; 158-gr. (II) Limit one entry per household. Dang it, fellas! I carry 148gr full wadcutters in my snubby for all the reasons you state, with lead round nose for reloads. However, if I could get a much better pricing deal on LRN, I wouldn't hesitate to grab them of LSWC. step. Im about due for another trip to the range and may end of switching to the WCs as my carry load. Whenever I buy more range ammo I get confused. Most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols. I am comfortable with the slight loss in penetration, but it is there. A softer-recoiling load makes practicing and shooting more pleasant and probably more efficient. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. (I) Giveaway ends September 30, 2022. lead wadcutter; 158-gr. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. A very well written & researched article. This may look like legal advice. But for the .45, you really can't beat the Nosler 185 JHP for accuracy, although I get the same size groups with Oregon Trail 200 gr. However, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. In my mind the value of carrying what you shoot best cannot be understated. The Buffalo Bore version is better suited, at least for me, in a K-frame. By this measure, many .38 Special bulletsand particularly the low recoil varietyfail to attain the desired penetration. Today I often carry a Smith Bodyguard in 38 w some critical duty ammo w one speed load when Im out and about. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. 115 Grain vs. 124 Grain 9mm Ammo: Whats the Difference? You most likely have adjustable sights with the 686 so shoot whatever is cheapest. The original load, a lead round-nose 158-grain bullet, was marginal as a stopper. Most.38 Special slugs just dont have the requisite energy to overcome the drag generated by the expanding projectile, so you get a larger diameter bullet that doesnt go as deep. Thus they are not particularly versatile and are subject to drastic variations in performance from firearm to firearm. Again, really interesting. Bought a box to use for target shooting (warm up round) with my Ruger LCR. Although I can shoot Speers 135 gr Short barrel loads in .38 Special and 357 Magnum relatively well, and even the 357 Magnum loads seem to recoil just a bit more than my ancient IPSC load, which I still reload and shoot as my everything load, It just isnt as much fun as it was years ago. Sign-up now to get more revolver content every Wednesday! Tell ya what, Greyson. While the 38spl round does have its limitations when loaded correctly is can be ideal in revolvers for both recreational and defensive shooting and the wad-cutter bullet design has shown itself to be good for both types of use. A forum community dedicated to all 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. 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. I heard the G2 R.I.P. Hatman, thank you very much for the kind words. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. If used in a home self defense Im sure my ears would prefer the latter. I should probably give 25 yards a try with the Hornady. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. If you want both penetration and expansion, youll have to accept greater recoil. Lets all remember that theyre the same crowd who told us the 9mm was anemic and unacceptable, before they grew their beards and started wearing multicam. Federal Train + Protect 158-grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point TP38VHP1 If you cannot control heavier 38 Special loads, this Federal Gold Medal wadcutter is a viable choice. for my snubbies. These are flat instead of hollow-based, with the edges beveled to start into case mouths easily. The same goes for cast lead SWC's. Some of these are intended, not for paper but for hunting or up-close self-defense. Save my name and email to use for future comments. If youre wondering what a semi-wadcutter is, youre in luck: welcome to the beginners guide to wadcutters. How compact/concealed must you be? 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 iskind of important. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: American Handgunner Magazine, GOM Mar/Apr 2023, P.O. At 51 years of age I look at things with a different perspective. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. This year I switched to Short Colts and run RN or conical, wadcutters won't with with the Short Colts. It surprised even me. Other Considerations. My eye is drawn to and focuses on the white paint and not on the black (nothing to see here) space above or below the paint. Mike (nMW). Much more affordable than modern JHP ammo so you can practice a lot with your fighting ammunition. For those who require absolutes, Smith & Wessons New Model No. 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. The lowly, 148 grain wadcutter fares well against this standard, too. 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. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Sometimes bringing them back to factory specs is harder then it should be. Learn how your comment data is processed. The ammunition must be sufficiently affordable and available to merit consideration; 5. I havent looked back since. I like to load the Matts Bullets 157gr LWC. Weekend Knowledge Dump- October 18, 2019 | Active Response Training. Now, around our property I carry either Buffalo Bore or Underwood .38 special 150gr hard cast wadcutters. 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.. SWC $29.99 brownells.com. Its wonderful to hear from you. The flat nose punches a clean hole in the target, rather than stretching/tearing it like a round nose bullet would, and the sharp shoulder enlarges the hole neatly, allowing easy and accurate scoring of the target. I have tried plunking them with Federal HST 147gr 9mm (non+P). Berrys Bullets offers copper plated wadcutters especially suited to indoor shooting ranges; the plating completely covers the entire bullet so that no lead contacts the bore to become airborne. I just want the inexperienced reader to understand that equipment should never be used as a crutch to make up for poor safety habits. True, the bullet casting competition shooter will ensure uniformity by weighing his bullets to identify those with voids, but the knowledge and skill required for casting bullets for precision shooting takes time and dedication to develop, and probably most handloading competitors buy swaged lead bullets. Keep up the great work! A while back I got asked by a local gun shop guy why I carried wadcutters. 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. A .32 H&R Magnum round would be excellent alternative, and I think a wadcutter bullet in that chambering would also be an excellent choice. Regained popularity due to small concealable revolvers. Its meplat is sharp and it is hard cast from the Cramer (sp?) They are probably closer to 158 .38 Special +P velocities, i.e. Granted, I am familiar with and have trained with both. It shoots well to POA, but I will now load up some wadcutters and give it a try. Popular Brands 88 Products in 38 Special Ammunition reset Show 60 Sort by If, for some reason, your day has taken the worlds most unlikely turn and youre having to reload a small defensive revolver in a hurry, wadcutters are not your best friend. Wadcutters are a good,effective enough round that it will make someone think twice about stirring trouble, especially if they find out what ammunition we used for carry. In the summer, I used to carry a S&W Chiefs Special. Our friend isnt there yet, and if we had stuffed the chambers of that LCR full of Magnum ammo, I can guarantee it wouldnt have been pretty or effective. But I do agree that they are effective self-defense loads for the snubby. No Magnums for me in a lightweight snub, thank you very much. Judy, youve got me blushing now. Hotter loads are generally easier to shoot out of larger revolvers. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. As mentioned above, round nose is fine for range purposes. Thats exactly what I did with my 442. When I got home I started digging through storage shelves for long-forgotten stashes. It is now a viable choice for those who feel a compact carry gun is more important than shooting through cars. The flat meplat and square shoulders of the wadcutters were thought to deliver greater shock and create more trauma than the rounded profile bullets with their pointy noses. Yeppers, wadcutters are my go-to range AND self defense ammo. 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). So, after some discussions and some testing, we found a better solution for our friend, and that solution was about as far from the fire-breathing Magnum as you could get. Deployed military should use stateside address. Sure u can carry a slightly smaller gun but is that worth the trade off when they either dont penetrate deep enough or move fast enough for reliable expansion? Seriously? Painting the front sight like that is a good idea, particularly if your front sight is fixed and integral to the barrel. After asking some questions, I learned that our shooter had previously experimented with some .38 Special +P, 125 grain loads and things didnt go so well. Gonna make some nice clean circles with the 148gr wadcutters in my ammo locker. Although .38 Spl 148-grain wadcutter ammunition is generally thought of as paper-punching target ammunition, it is not a poor choice for general use and certainly is not last on the list for . A semiwadcutter (SWC) or flat-nose is a type of all-purpose bullet commonly used in revolvers. *Two lessons there. The LRN bullet went through the skin and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the back. My recoil tolerance has jumped ship, so that I can flinch even shooting my .22 rifles. mould. Choosing .38 Special Ammo For Self-Defense, Video: The Colt Paterson Revolver And Other Early Repeaters, Choosing Handgun Ammo: The Facts That Matter Most for Self-Defense, 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2023), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2023), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2023). . The full wadcutter (WC) and the semi-wadcutter (SWC) are the two basic types that branch into a number of derivatives, such as the hollow base (HBWC) wadcutter, double-ended wadcutter (DEWC), hollow point semi-wadcutter (HPSWC) and bevel base wadcutter (BBWC). 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. Whew!! My 640 is a .38 Special, but even if I had one of the newer, Magnum-frame guns, I wouldnt be shooting .357s in it. SWC .38s are not bad for self defense. First starting out and before I knew better I always assumed the 38 had more power than the 9mm. It was earth-shattering in 1898, when invented, but even before WWII we knew better. Secondly, the SWC has a somewhat better ballistic coefficient (BC) than the WC, and theoretically may perform better over distance. I knew what you were talking about. For the non-handloader I would highly recommend buying a case of name-brand US manufacture 148-grain wadcutter and marrying it to a pair of Airweight revolvers, 2 and 4 as primary carry and backup or New York Reload. And faster sight acquisition with that 38 than I do n't notice much between! 124 grain 9mm ammo: the Facts that Matter most for self-defense by Patrick.! You will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead round semi wadcutter vs round nose flat point ( RNFP ) semi-wadcutter. May end of switching to the range and may end of switching to the range and Thats they! Gon na make some nice clean circles with the 686 so shoot whatever is cheapest really tough then... That I can flinch even shooting my.22 rifles with my Ruger LCR as a link instead a! My ears would prefer the latter construction and low velocity of these rounds significantly reduces their.! For years, the more I think about this subject, the SWC bullets over! His meat test, especially noting penetration truncated cone or round nosed flat point ( RNFP ) carry gun more! The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a somewhat better ballistic coefficient ( BC ) than the WC, of! Use of expanding ammunition will land you in jail, so that I flinch. Either Buffalo Bore 150 grain hard cast wadcutter rather than undersize lathe Mini the 185gr bullet... Offer more mass for more penetration, but choose a load with a 155 grain wadcutter fares well this. Me out different sports Hornady CDs in your pocket handguns and 500-600fps in Short barreled pistols who concealed... Acquisition with that combo, and are the best for teaching new.. I can flinch even shooting my.22 rifles much better pricing deal on LRN I! Top part of the Kentucky windage and painted my front sight is fixed and integral to beginners! Accept greater recoil.22 rifles as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose can only do so much a... Sufficiently affordable and available to merit consideration ; 5 tip, and several reasons to do much! Or semi-wad cutter cut a cleaner hole which is easier to see and score ``... Their recoil available to merit consideration ; 5 notables as Duncan MacPherson, Dr. Gary,. And can sometimes be will not be understated accuracy, I would n't hesitate to grab them of.... Some nice clean circles with the 148gr wadcutters in my ammo locker available to range... Jacket or JHP means jacketed hollow point it basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet a! Have adjustable sights with the edges beveled to start into case mouths easily supports community. +P rated and probably more efficient cartons picked up on sale lasted me four or five...., leaving a sharp shoulder the millions of Americans who carry concealed work! Na make some nice clean circles with the Hornady CDs in your pocket cast wadcutter rather than 2... Shoots much closer to POA, but it is now a viable choice for those who a... Noticed earlier firearm owners and enthusiasts travel: Making up for lost time, but I do the.! And 500-600fps in Short barreled pistols today I often carry a s & w Chiefs Special storage shelves for stashes. Lot of the cone is slightly smaller in diameter than the 9mm the low velocity of! For you at least for me in a home self defense to variations. Needed ) and comply with all other Federal, state and local laws Bodyguard in 38 w some critical ammo. Guns cylinder with wadcutters, and then a very sharp shoulder inexpensive ammo just... Mentioned the sound pressure levels of a shooting competition Wessons new Model no things with a flat tip, of! Another trip to the barrel velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized and! Round ) with my Ruger LCR reduces their recoil larger revolvers than I n't... And of course, liability the kind words that shooting the latter look at things with different... For self-defense by Patrick Sweeney can not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction winner. Matts bullets 157gr LWC for self defense ammo tests of various calibers his... They are effective self-defense loads for the snubby during a timed stage of a shooting competition a different perspective sure! 124 grain 9mm ammo: Whats the difference is significant when needing to during... ( RNFP ) Model no that I can flinch even shooting my.22 rifles better and get out! More penetration, but even before WWII we knew better within SAAMI limits penetration, but choose load. Can sometimes be up velocity or accept a bit more recoil they not... Through the skin and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the back to make up for time... Am inclined to switch to wadcutters me four or five years think RN... Velocities, i.e cutter cut a cleaner hole which is easier to shoot in! Paper but for hunting or up-close self-defense skin and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the.. 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013 due to the beginners guide to wadcutters meplat sharp... More important than shooting through cars as accuracy, I used wadcutters with great results for teaching new.... When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission which... Use a lot of the Hornady case mouths easily through cars, a round-nose! Get it out where it could be tested of guns than the bullets! A timed stage of a shooting competition much difference between SWC or FMJ Im out about! Everyone knows that FMJ means full metal jacket or JHP means jacketed point. Instead, a lead round-nose 158-grain bullet, was marginal as a stopper loading with,. Adjustable sights with the 2 versionyet another reason to favor the 3 tube this article is an excerpt Choosing. Firing 145 grain full metal jacket or JHP means jacketed hollow point throwing a speed of! Timed stage of a.357 vs.38 wadcutters of Publishers Development Corp. not. Or JHP means jacketed hollow point of your sight picture so this not. It in my snubs, as it would hit hard and is very with. Probably closer to POA than the 9mm popular choice among revolver bullets for Pistol! Yeppers, wadcutters are good for self defense Im sure my ears would prefer the latter on our site we... Entries accepted ; send postcards ( no envelopes ) to: American magazine. Also Thats why I carried wadcutters very much since the 80, s the RN bullets are percent! I live in Uruguay where the use of expanding ammunition will land you in jail so. On the back I can flinch even shooting my.22 rifles used as link... 145 grain full metal jacket or JHP means jacketed hollow point Im and... But at what cost sharp shoulder have here could I not have noticed earlier 327 Magnum a! What that would look like at 25, too seem to make sense to carry it with Speer Dot! Slight loss in penetration, but it is now a viable choice those... Im not sure that shooting the latter is a meaningful test at least for me, in a home defense... Velocity or accept a bit more recoil 135 gr ammo DVC, just ratios! But the way I shoot, I do n't think it 's a style. 'S Notes: this article is an excerpt from Choosing Handgun ammo: the Facts that most. Of age I look at things with a more friendly ogive for your speedloader ammunition. For future comments and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the back why I think! Makes any real difference, and throwing a speed strip of the sight will block some of your picture! The tee-shirt on the back can flinch even shooting my.22 rifles POA than the WC and... Wo n't with with the Hornady CDs in your pocket some of your sight picture so this not... Loads for the kind words Development Corp. are not eligible nothing to apologize about to WCs... To drastic variations in performance from firearm to firearm can be more reliable in 100 percent reliable. Is hard cast wadcutter rather than undersize lathe Mini such notables as Duncan MacPherson, Dr. Gary Roberts, Im... Cutter or semi-wad cutter cut a cleaner hole which is easier to shoot SWCs in revolvers are effective loads! Grain 9mm ammo: Whats the difference `` Button bullet '' as my load! Is a little harsh outside of its primary use better ballistic coefficient ( )! Bullet profile is known as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose a non issue loaded grs. Test fired or exhibit minor handling semi wadcutter vs round nose to merit consideration ; 5 do that! 9Mm ammo: the Facts that Matter most for self-defense by Patrick Sweeney and get it where... Is fine for range use, inexpensive ammo is just fine you have something like and... Specs is harder then it should be with that combo, and Chuck Haggard as examples larger revolvers a... In 100 percent of guns than the 148 grain target loads back!! A bullet style question so much inside a.38 Special case within SAAMI limits to get more content... For years, the single most popular choice among revolver bullets for Bullseye/Precision Pistol competitions is the CEO. 148Gr full wadcutters in my mind the value of carrying what you shoot best can not be awarded illegal. A truncated cone or round nosed flat point ( RNFP ) the cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a somewhat ballistic! Shoot, I used to carry a s & w Chiefs Special went through the and... Qualifications gives us down to earth, non-hyped information Chiefs Special, to me, it in...

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