why are wadcutters 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. 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. However, when given old style target wadcutters to use, their controllability and accuracy were significantly improved. This makes scoring the shooter much easier, especially when compared to the small, ragged holes that full metal jacket bullets punch in targets. Self-Defense & Competition Shooting Tips, Terminology around firearms can get a little confusing, especially when it comes to pistol projectiles. 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. They are not the same thing, although they are related. Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. There is a solution, though: semi-wadcutter bullets. This article discusses a relatively uncommon bullet type: the wadcutter. Sure do nasty things to a phone book, though! The same shortcomings that make the wadcutter unsuitable for self-defense also make it a less-than-ideal choice for hunting big game. Right or wrong about length making a difference, the SWC's are unchallenged for accuracy so far. The modern lead pellet that we now shoot in our airguns is most often taken for granted. The cone shaped semi-wadcutter has a flat tip, and then a very sharp shoulder. The flat face that makes them cut such neat holes in…things… also makes them hard to reload fast. 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 … As a result, full wadcutter bullets are almost always used in revolvers, with .38 Special being the most common caliber. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. What's more, I have found no significant advantage to using cast hollow-based wadcutters over solid based wadcutters. 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. You shouldn't need much more crimp than enough to remove the bell. 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. My best shots were from 200 yards with a snub .38 special. A flat nosed bullet that’s easy to shoot well, meets the FBI standards for penetration, and hits where you aim it? What’s not to like about that. But since its blunt shape makes it less aerodynamic, it’s not quite as effective for small game as other bullet types. Though full wadcutter bullets are often unreliable in semi-automatic pistols, semi-wadcutter bullets usually work much better. Revolvers chambered in .38 were widely used in matches and even semi-autos were built to […] A .38 Special wadcutter (second from left) compared to hollow point, semiwadcutter and full metal jacket bullets. Though the wadcutter is not extremely rare, it is still a relatively specialized bullet type that is only utilized in a few different cartridges. This is why they have been used in so many target-based competitions. 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. Bullseye shooters also use semi-wadcutters in semi-automatic pistols. Up to this time she’d been packing a small semi-auto but decided she also wanted to have a revolver. Keep the velocity down to 900-1000 fps and they're accurate to at least 20 feet. The low velocity of these rounds significantly reduces their recoil. Just another thought I will throw into the mix too sir. In fact, I shot the Bianchi Cup with a Colt 1911 firing 145 grain full metal jacket semi-wadcutters in 2013. As far as accuracy is concerned then a lot of shooters believe the Wadcutter is indeed, the most accurate, due to its design. It’s even painful for some people. This semi was notoriously accurate with certain target loads but feeding was a bit iffy. I’ve bought into it. 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). 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. Wadcutters are commonly (though not always) loaded so that the bullet is completely encased in the case. More's the pity. On the other hand, SWC bullets can maintain high accuracy at ranges exceeding 100 yards. This also makes for feeding problems when used in semi-automatic pistols (with the exception of the Smith & Wesson Model 52). In this case, LSWCHP stands for “lead, semi-wadcutter hollow point.”. Because there is not taper to the projectile at all, it takes a more deliberate effort to place them into the chambers. probably not real PC. Semi-wadcutters generally have a shorter bearing surface than traditional wadcutters. I'm under the vague impression that wadcutter pellets are generally very accurate, although have not shot any in years. Unlike a conical bullet, the entire length of a wadcutter projectile engages with the rifling. Why add this to the article? For quick reloads you want something that glides into the chamber a lot easier than a wadcutter. The winning combination of a 38 Special case is why. All Rights Reserved. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. 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. Sales of wadcutters went down. This, combined with their generally excellent accuracy at short to moderate range, makes the wadcutter an ideal choice for people learning how to shoot. Originally intended for target shooting, semi-wadcutters gained popularity for hunting after legendary gunwriter Elmer Keith designed a semi-wadcutter for hunting. Wadcutters also have the potential for surprisingly effective wound ballistics out of a … 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. Plated wadcutters, however, don't seem to mind at all, making them the only plated bullet that will work with standard .38 dies. 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This is a bit of speculation as to why the SWC's are more accurate, but, let the results speak for themselves. 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. 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. The Broad Side With my model 52 I shoot 2.8 grains of Bullseye with Remington 148 HBWC. It makes an easy shooting round that is very accurate to 50 yards, and cuts clean holes in paper. Yes, wadcutters are absolutely devastating for short range pest control. 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. At distances beyond 50 yards, full caliber diameter wadcutters become highly inaccurate. More powerful is more reliable at incapacitating an attacker, and expanding ammunition is crucial to maximizing a round's potential. That’s why I definitely think that wadcutters are good for self defense. They were much more easily able to get rapid and consistently accurate hits on targets. My advice? Be sure to subscribe to his show: the Big Game Hunting Podcast. 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 first question we’re going to answer is “what is a wadcutter?” That’s easy. Wadcutters were originally designed for target shooting. Federal Gold Medal Match 148 grain full wadcutters. We've got the platform you need. That's why back in the day of revolver shooting guys would put Colt barrels on their S&W guns. © 2015-2020 TargetBarn, LLC. 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. Wadcutter bullets are almost always unjacketed and made of lead. Now the nearly wholesale switch to autoloaders for police has cut further into that market. Well obviously for target shooting, as it was originally designed. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more … 120 Years of Wadcutters. 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. Quite often, you will find several different pellets that give above-average performance and accuracy. 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. The Old Standards 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. He said the officers using them were more confident that they could get good hits with the low recoiling rounds, too. There are three reasons you might select wadcutters for self defense. While the country still needs a good 5-cent cigar, apparently they don't want .38 wadcutters. Once I found an accurate load with 1 bullet, the others would shoot the same bugholes. 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). Minimal recoil: the last reason is that because wadcutters are loaded for target shooting, they’re low velocity and low pressure. This makes the rounds more accurate, which is … The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. 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. Some wadcutters have a flat base, but bullets with a hollow base are probably more common. 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. Additionally, wadcutters are difficult to quickly load due to the blunt, un-tapered shape of the bullet. Another disadvantage of the waductter bullet is the horrible aerodynamic shape of the bullet. They open to 60-70 caliber and break pieces off that go everywhere. That application answers the question “are wadcutters good for self defense?” The surprising answer to that question is yes. Because the flat nosed bullet is not well suited for feeding out of a magazine, wadcutters are normally used only in revolver… Used for target shooting at ranges of 25 yards and closer, the wadcutter bullet is extremely accurate. When you take those three factors into account, they create a compelling case for full wadcutters in a small revolver. John McAdams Looking at the results, it's obvious that longer bullets are more accurate. This restricts the use of wadcutters to relatively close range (<50 yards). The flat profile of the bullet cuts neat, easy to score holes in paper targets. 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. I have found, in my handguns, in my hands that the old 160 RN like Lyman 358311 gave me the smallest groups. Most factory wadcutter loads shoot at low velocity, typically 700-800fps in full sized handguns and 500-600fps in short barreled pistols. 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. Wadcutters are commonly (though not always) loaded so that the bullet is completely encased in the case. Question “ are why are wadcutters more accurate good for self defense? ” that ’ s easy comparison. Taper to the blunt, un-tapered shape of the waductter bullet is usually all lead and has no jacket that! Do nasty things to a phone book, though: semi-wadcutter bullets usually work better! To this time she ’ d been packing a small semi-auto but decided she also wanted to improved. 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