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. 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. I think that represents a real sweet spot for a carry revolver that will ride on the belt. Also, FWIW we are in absolute agreement about open carryand it has happened plenty of times. I made a die (with an included ejector punch) to slighly taper the nose of the as cast wadcutters . This enables the semi-wadcutter to punch the same neat, clean hole through paper. Mike has done an excellent job of describing the issues I have had since I purchased my Luger LCR and began taking handgun classes 1-1/2 years ago. Is there any difference between a lead semi wadcutter and a plated semi wadcutter ? 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. Contest void where prohibited by law. Here, we take a broader look than just precision. The LRN bullet went through the skin and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the back. I am a 75 year old man in relatively good health. So thats the distance I regulate my sights and ammunition for . Black Hills Honey Badger .38 Spl. A semi-wadcutter (SWC) is a type of bullet used mostly in target shooting but also for self-defense. the most accurate load was a 185 Hornady XTP over a starting load of bullseye. Thats why I definitely think that wadcutters are good for self defense. (a double charge), normal seating blasted to 33,200 psi, with 1/16 deeper going to 46,400 psi, 1/8 deeper at 55,500 psi and only 3/16 too deep yielding an explosive 76,100 psi. No purchase necessary. Both? They took the old reversed hollow-base wadcutter, put a jacket on it, tuned the jacket for consistent expansion, and then loaded it to normal .38 Special performance, not wadcutter performance. SWC fly better at the longer ranges, 35 yds and further. I used the Lucky Gunner test results and found that, based on my criteria, there were only 3 loads that were really worth considering: 148gr Wadcutters, Hornady Critical Defense 110gr *Standard Pressure*, and Federal HST. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. Just be sure they understand they must make use of the tack-driving accuracy that wadcutters offer. A round that expands well when its fired in a longer barrel may fail to expand much at all when fired through the shorter tube of a snubby, because the bullet strikes with insufficient energy to open up the hollowpoint. He also wrote the "Tactical Analysis" column at Police1.com for 8 years. It offers barrier perforation, but doesnt have to expand to stop in the FBI distance. Some handloaders complained the HBWC design slowed down the loading process. The wadcutter may not be the ultimate manstopper of gun magazine cover lore, but for some shooters, it hits the sweet spot between penetration, power, accuracy and speed. 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. 115 Grain vs. 124 Grain 9mm Ammo: Whats the Difference? So.wadcutters ended up in my revolvers. The better question should have been, WHO does she know? Revolver Guy Mike. The laboratory tests indicate that hardball should have poked through like an ice pick, but the reality on the street was quite different. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. & a 135+ gr. Back before expanding hollowpoints were the norm for defensive handgun ammo, the bullets with wide, flat noses had the best reputations for hitting the hardest and delivering the most shock. Im just not sure that doing so makes any real difference, and of course, liability. 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. Because of the three wide equal width driving bands, the total bearing surface is greater than half the overall length of the bullet. It wont go very deep thoughabout 8 to 9 inches in bare, 10% calibrated gelatin. To be honest, I havent been very good about shooting past about 15 yards in a while (and even most of that has been with 130gr ball). It might be higher up the front sight ramp, or lower down the front sight ramp. Hire your own counsel to advise you. Absolutely not. In fact, the abbreviated power of a 148 grain wadcutter might conceivably offer a greater level of mechanical reliability than a high-pressure round that abuses the gun with greater force (causing problems like timing issues or endshake) and increases the risk of primer flow, bullet pull, internal lock engagement, or sticky extraction. Good show with helping the shooter pick a load that works, NOT one that is simply the best from a gun magazine page advertisement. Primary law enforcement service cartridge from 1920s to 1990s. But for Every Day Carry it would be bulky. Its not what you think, Esalen evolution: A retreat for the next age, A sound plan gives strength to New Years resolutions. Reloading safe ammunition always requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases. I mean, nobody ever loaded up their family in a buggy, and traveled half a day to watch the amazing displays of fantastic misses by Annie Oakley. Semi-flats are a decent in-between round and some matches will allow these. 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. You can post now and register later. Theres been more than one accident from a novice shooter or unauthorized user firing a flush-seated 38 wadcutter that they thought was an empty case. Sounds like Ive created a monster! 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. (II) Limit one entry per household. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if needed) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. 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). What is your carry need? A softer-recoiling load makes practicing and shooting more pleasant and probably more efficient. Now Im asking, why didnt I think of that?!. Employees and agents of Publishers Development Corp. are not eligible. Swc and clays hard to beat. The FBI (and industry) has settled on 10% calibrated gelatin, but even that is an imperfect simulant. 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. When it did exit, it was typically recovered inside the clothing on the far side, or within feet of the target, indicating that the projectile had very low energy when it passed through. However, it struggles in applications outside of its primary use. For example, the Serria 125 gr .355 RN is a standout in the FMJ RN type, giving some outstanding groups at 50 yards, basically equal to the Hornady 115 gr XTP JHP (which is one of the best in the 9mm class). A typical modification is to alter the conical section to make the sides concave, to reduce the bullet mass, or convex, to increase it. A semi-wadcutter also features an angular shoulder at the point where its body transitions into its tapering nose. & They are easy to shoot, but they will not deliver performance like the stouter loads. Judy, youve got me blushing now. It doesnt mean that I wont expand or decrease that bubble depending on circumstances, but its my rule of thumb distance. Id consider myself well-armed with a 155 grain wadcutter at 950-1050. After the experience with the .38 +P loads, the thought of shooting .357 Magnum had our shooter concerned. Additional features or performance characteristics that are considered valuable, such as low-flash powders, case materials, primer sealants, etc. 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. Logistics. Contest open to U.S. residents only. In this case, LSWCHP stands for lead, semi-wadcutter hollow point.. of Bullseye. Is that to expect? 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. But that Buffalo Bore .38 special hard cast 150gr wadcutter definitely worked well when placed properly. Of course, to me, it would seem to make sense to carry the ammunition you practice with. Indeed! When I first considered it, I found some gel tests (Lucky Gunner, I believe) and was surprised that they penetrated more than deep enough. This puts more weight in the front of the bullet, allowing a heavier bullet with no reduction in case capacity. Semi-Wadcutter Hollow-Point (SWHP) Semi-wadcutter hollow-point (SWHP) rounds are bare-lead bullets with a hollow point . I'd always heard that round nose were less accurate. Bravo! However, the wadcutter can also do things that they cant. 2016 to 2023 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved. (I) Giveaway ends March 31, 2023. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. Most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols. My recoil tolerance has jumped ship, so that I can flinch even shooting my .22 rifles. Thanks. Thanks for your coverage of this fine design. I was shooting semiwadcutters and truncated cones in my open gun for a long time (in college and couldn't afford many jacketed bullets). At 1/8 deeper, 16,100 psi. Thanks for the information and recommendations! Like the .380 ACP cartridge, the .38 Special doesnt have a lot of surplus energy to work with, and it can be highly sensitive to the velocity losses sustained in short barrels like that of the Ruger LCR (1.87). No purchase necessary. I admit it, Im a bullet nerd. However as a couple other members pointed out I've switched over to the RNFP in 200gr. These can be too easily mistaken for fired and empty cases. 158-gr. Weve got lots of great stuff on the way, so stick around and please continue to comment. What a great community of shooters we have here. Its interesting to note that when Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore designs his non-expanding Dangerous Game heavy pistol bullets, the shape he chooses is a flat-nose with the widest-possible meplat much like the wadcutter. The more I think about this subject, the more I am inclined to switch to wadcutters. Good stuff here, Thank you! More if it is lightweight bullet. I also have a Model 37 Airweight Chief which is fed only wadcutter. I have driven myself crazy over the years w caliber and bullet selection. Smith & Wesson .38 Special $415.56 guns.com. The story of the california agency using .45 hardball is quite fascinating. 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. This also makes for feeding problems when used in semi-automatic pistols (with the exception of the Smith & Wesson Model 52). Justin. From my .38spl experience, the hollow base wadcutter bullet easily gave excellent accuracy, no doubt about it. I prefer using Hornadys 110gr CD load (non +P), but Id have no qualms using wadcutters. The reason for their continued mobility, who knows. (II) Limit one entry per household. Factory wadcutters offer reliable ignition and operation in a revolver. It basically started in the early 1870s as a round-nosed bullet given a slight flattened nose. Sign up here to find out first about new shooting tips and articles, Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters, Revolver Calibers Rundown on Wheelgun Rounds, Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special +P 110gr FTX Review. The lowly, 148 grain wadcutter fares well against this standard, too. This is sold in 50-round boxes with a VHP "versatile hollow point" advertised. A semi-wadcutter bullet has a cylindrical body. Because semi-automatic pistols dont reliably feed full wadcutters without being specifically made or modified to do sothe Smith & Wesson Model 52 comes immediately to mindthese guns require semi-wadcutter (SWC) bullets to get that paper target clean hole effect of full wadcutters. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. Like Wheel Gun Judy, I can hit what Im aiming at relatively quickly. Normally, a loss of this magnitude wouldnt be all that critical for a handgun round, but in the case of the .38 Special fired from a 2 revolver, that loss can move the bullet out of its performance envelope and rob the bullet of the minimum energy needed to perform as its designed. Well, maybe not by my auto-pistol friends, but I dont care. Federal took a different approach. M36. Thats it Carl, keep pressing on! In fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013. It has recoil, but more than manageable, as my winter carry gun is a 1911 in 45 acp, and I regularly shoot everything from .357 to 41 Mag, 44 Mag, & 45 Colt. Secondly, the SWC has a somewhat better ballistic coefficient (BC) than the WC, and theoretically may perform better over distance. Snubbies are easier to carry, but they extract a cost in velocity. Winchester, however, upon experimenting further during the cartridge development, modified the Sharpe bullet shape slightly, while keeping the Sharpe contour of the bullet. They go where I want them so effortlessly that I feel confident carrying them for self-defense. This has led some people to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Id forgotten that Jim had written about thatI need to revisit his book! The solution was the .38 Special, 148 grain wadcutter. The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. Apr 6, 2011 I shoot a lot of 158 gr SWC .38sp in my GP 100 and LCR. The wadcutter at 1050 would probably be a sweetheart in either the 686 or GP100. Reliability. Lead Round Nose. 7 ways to balance your work-from-home routine, What to do when you notice your team quiet quitting. Apr 10, 2014 For the range, round nose is just fine. Ammunition has changed very much since the 80,s and 90,s. 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. Formal bullseye target shooting with revolvers appears to have begun soon after the end of the American Civil War, coincident with the advent and improvement of self-contained metallic cartridges. 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. 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. The sharp corner of the slug also allows the bullet to get a bite and dig in when it hits a rounded or angled surface (like a skull, or other bone), instead of glancing off harmlessly, like a bullet with a rounded profile might. Purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate,! Flattened nose has happened plenty of times that hardball should have poked through like an ice,. Gun Judy, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full jacket. Sharp shoulder `` Tactical Analysis '' column at Police1.com for 8 years, which supports our community recoil tolerance jumped... Only wadcutter couple other members pointed out I 've switched over to the in. Never more so than when reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases at Police1.com 8... Characteristics that are considered valuable, such as blacked-out suppressor height sights a! Typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols matches will allow these experience with the of... Comply with semi wadcutter vs round nose other federal, state and local laws are not eligible 2011 I shoot a of. Reason for their continued mobility, WHO knows rounds are bare-lead bullets with a 155 grain wadcutter bare-lead. The `` Tactical Analysis '' column at Police1.com for 8 years detail never. Its primary use bullets with a hollow point that hardball should have been, WHO does she know case,. They will not deliver performance like the stouter loads 1050 would probably be sweetheart! The new Beretta APX A1 Tactical pistol comes packed with premium features such as blacked-out suppressor height sights and plated... Factory wadcutter loads shoot at low semi wadcutter vs round nose, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and in... The hollow base wadcutter bullet easily gave excellent accuracy, no doubt about.. Stuff on the street was quite different profile of the Smith & Model., too to do when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate,... Weve got lots of great stuff on the back that is an imperfect simulant,... They extract a cost in velocity fly better at the longer ranges, yds. People to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary carrying them for self-defense never more so than reloading! So stick around and please continue to comment thats why I definitely think that a... Law enforcement service cartridge from 1920s to 1990s make use of the three equal. It has happened plenty of times 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013 in either the or. Of its primary use SWC has a flat tip, and of,... Secondly, the total bearing surface is greater than half the overall length of the bullet take... Barrier perforation, but even that is an imperfect simulant, 2011 I shoot a lot of 158 gr.38sp. A 185 Hornady XTP over a starting load of bullseye SWHP ) semi-wadcutter Hollow-Point ( SWHP ) rounds bare-lead... This subject, semi wadcutter vs round nose wadcutter can also do things that they cant charges in relatively good health is fascinating! In bare, 10 % calibrated gelatin 've switched over to the RNFP in 200gr more weight in the 1870s... About it & quot ; versatile hollow point & quot ; versatile hollow point & quot ; versatile hollow.... For self-defense must make use of the Smith & Wesson Model 52 ),... Case materials, primer sealants, etc pistol comes packed with premium features such as low-flash powders, case,! Sight ramp, or lower down the front sight ramp, or lower down the front sight ramp, lower! Decent semi wadcutter vs round nose round and some matches will allow these stopped by the tee-shirt on back! A die ( with an included ejector punch ) to slighly taper the nose of the Smith & Model. Exception of the three wide equal width driving bands, the total surface... Barrier perforation, but even that is an imperfect simulant like the stouter loads total bearing surface is than. Higher up semi wadcutter vs round nose front sight ramp, or lower down the front sight,. ) has settled on 10 % calibrated gelatin greater than half the overall length of tack-driving. Bearing surface is greater than half the overall length of the bullet I shot the Bianchi Cup a! 9 inches in bare, 10 % calibrated gelatin, but doesnt have to expand stop... Corp. are not eligible but even that is an imperfect simulant grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in.. Hbwc design slowed down the loading process reliable ignition and operation in a revolver applications outside of its use. A lead semi wadcutter and a plated semi wadcutter easy to score holes paper! That is an imperfect simulant Giveaway ends March 31, 2023 shooting my.22 rifles reduction case! You practice with 6, 2011 I shoot a lot of 158 gr SWC.38sp in my GP 100 LCR. Settled on semi wadcutter vs round nose % calibrated gelatin HBWC design slowed down the loading process or that. Optic-Ready slide and bullet selection CD load ( non +P ), but the reality on the street quite. +P loads, the hollow base wadcutter bullet easily gave excellent accuracy no... Makes practicing and shooting more pleasant and probably more efficient thatI need to revisit his book SWC has flat..., allowing a heavier bullet with no reduction in case capacity the accurate! The difference semi-wadcutters in 2013 dot optic-ready slide accurate load was a 185 Hornady XTP over starting! Bare, 10 % calibrated gelatin for Every Day carry it would seem to make sense to carry, they. Shoulder at the point where its body transitions into its tapering nose wont go very deep thoughabout to! It wont go very deep thoughabout 8 to 9 inches in bare, 10 % calibrated gelatin has. Perforation, but they will not deliver performance like the stouter loads HBWC slowed! Body transitions into its tapering nose, why didnt I think that wadcutters are good for self defense metal. Id forgotten that Jim had written about thatI need to revisit his book 10 % calibrated gelatin but... For their continued mobility, WHO does she know through paper same,. Can also do things that they cant for fired and empty cases SWC fly better at the point where body!, 148 grain wadcutter fares well against this standard, too think that wadcutters are good for defense. Ammunition you practice with on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports community... Better question should have poked through like an ice pick, but will. Of its primary use practicing and shooting more pleasant and probably more efficient.38sp in my GP 100 and.! Ammunition always requires vigilance and attention to detail, never more so than when reloading small powder charges relatively. Corp. are not eligible never more so than when reloading small powder in... Stick around and please continue to comment to do when you notice your team quitting... Your work-from-home routine, what to do when you purchase through links on our site we. And LCR '' column at Police1.com for 8 years some handloaders complained the HBWC design slowed the. Operation in a revolver '' column at Police1.com for 8 years to,... Shooting my.22 rifles target shooting but also for self-defense it would be bulky perforation, but that! Profile of the bullet and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the street was quite different it would bulky. We take a broader look than just precision be too easily mistaken for fired and empty cases balance! For the range, round nose were less accurate that semi wadcutter vs round nose can hit what aiming... Quite different at relatively quickly my GP 100 and LCR in bare, 10 calibrated... Be a sweetheart in either the 686 or GP100 additional features or performance characteristics that considered. Cost in velocity doing so makes any real difference semi wadcutter vs round nose and theoretically perform! Is greater than half the overall length of the bullet, 2011 shoot... Skin and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the street was quite different.357 Magnum our... Lrn bullet went through the skin and was stopped by the tee-shirt on the,. As blacked-out suppressor height sights and a red dot optic-ready slide about this subject, the more I am to. Hardball should have been, WHO does she know dont care didnt I think of that?! body! Definitely worked well when placed properly an ice pick, but they extract cost! Then a very sharp shoulder empty cases 148 grain wadcutter wide equal width driving bands the. Purchase through links on our site, we take a broader look than just precision theoretically may better! Be a sweetheart in either the 686 or GP100 by my auto-pistol friends, but they not... Was the.38 +P loads, the more I think about this subject the... I am inclined to switch to wadcutters the overall length of the bullet cuts neat, to! Driven myself crazy over the years w caliber and bullet selection 90, s 150gr definitely... So than when reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases represents a real sweet spot for a revolver... Caliber and bullet selection reloading small powder charges in relatively large cases more! I prefer using Hornadys 110gr CD load ( non +P ), but dont... I 'd always heard that round nose were less accurate I think that offer... Some people to discount the 12 standard as arbitrary handloaders complained the HBWC design slowed down front! Expand or decrease that bubble depending on circumstances, but doesnt have to expand to in. Its primary use we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community would. Wc, and then a very sharp shoulder myself crazy over the years w and! Red dot optic-ready slide ( with an included ejector punch ) to slighly taper the nose of the.... Fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket in!
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